Streamwriting

Many of you have taken me up on my fabulous Spring Offer and because I’m feeling generous and happy I’m going to run it right up until the end of April.  Yes, that’s right!  All the way through Easter and beyond….

To refresh:

If you want a full manuscript critique I have slashed my normal price to just 30 euros per hour. (A mss of about 90,000 words might take me 4 or 5 hours.)

If you are after a submission package review (first 3 chapters, synopis and covering letter) then I am offering this for just 100 euros.

If you want the regular support and mentorship of my unique Book Doctor service (carefully cultivated to each writer’s needs) then this is just 30 euros per hour. 

This offer is only available until the end of April and all payments must be made in advance. 

What makes me the best person for your book?

I was thinking about this the other day.  Here’s a quick list of my credentials!:

I worked in the film industry as a reader - someone who reads all the spec scripts and decides what to pass onto the producer/agent or what to reject outright.  I read for some great companies.  See my website - my profile page - for who.  www.streamwriting.com

I’ve been reading and reviewing scripts and manuscripts for 12 years.  And I keep learning new stuff!

I’ve worked with professional and budding writers.  It doesn’t matter what stage you are at!

I’ve helped people reach publication.  Yes, that’s true!  I’ve seen some of my writers get deals.

I work mostly on referrals and returns.  My clients come back time and time again and I offer a reduced rate for return clients.

I offer a supportive after sales service - I’m always available for emails.  I’m not a ‘grab your money and goodbye’ kind of person.  I’m happy to help.

I care.  Sounds corny, but it’s true.  I want you to succeed and I delight in seeing you improve.

I believe in the power of self-belief.  Helping you is not just about giving you a set of skills, it’s about helping you believe in yourself too.

For every writer I help get published it sounds out a positive wave to others.  If you succeed, we all succeed.

Spring is nearly here and so begins a natural time of renewal. I love Spring because it’s an energising period full of creative potential. What better reason to tackle that book of yours again? Or to start germinating your brand new idea?

I am offering a special spring discount on the following editorial services:

A Full Manuscript Critique:

This is a one-off written review about your manuscript. Although I personalize each critique according to my client’s needs, I normally write on the actual document with margin notes, include end of chapter summaries and finish with an overall review which includes the all important what to do next. I am also available to answer any email queries outside of the critique.
Why do you need a critique?

A critique is ideal if you are:

· Stuck between drafts

· Receiving rejections but not being able to identify why

· Having difficulty recognizing where the manuscript doesn’t work

· Wanting to re-focus and re-define your strengths

· Intent on giving the script/manuscript the highest possible chance of being commissioned by an agent or publisher

· Eager to invest in your writing future

‘Book Doctor’ Package:

If you are still writing your book and want feedback on the story so far, you can send me some sample chapters and I will steer you in the right direction. I call this the Book Doctor Package because I help nurse your writing and bring it into the light of day.

‘Submission Service’ Package:

For a fixed fee, I also offer a ‘submission service package’ in which I look at the first 50 pages, the covering letter and the synopsis.

For ALL of these services I am offering as much as 40% discount!

Full Manuscript Critique WAS 50 euros an hour is NOW 30 euros an hour. A manuscript of 90,000 words takes 4 or 5 hours. (approximate figures only).

Book Doctor Package WAS 50 euros an hour is NOW 30 euros an hour if you pay by the hour. OR you can purchase a credit note of 4 hours for just 100 euros!

Submission Service Package WAS 150 euros flat rate is NOW 100 euros.

*All payment is upfront.

Please leave a comment here or contact me by email if you want to take up any of these editorial services.

Keep writing!

This is the week where my brand new sparkly writing website goes live. 

It has lots of great resources for writers of all levels.  There’s articles about the art of writing and getting published - the first one is called ‘How to Handle Rejection’ and is written by friend I met on the Harper Collins site, authonomy.  We all get rejections in writing so it’s a good pick-up if you’ve just got one of those nasty no letters through the post.  Robb is also going to come onboard and help out with the critique service.  Based in Washington D.C., he will handle all my American enquiries. 

I have expanded the critique service a little bit so please do check it out if you have a mss you want given the once over before submitting to an agent or publisher.  I’m offering a special spring discount for a full manuscript critique so don’t miss out!

Also on the website, you will find a retreats page - perfect if you want to get away from it all and get on with your writing. This page is still in its early days so if you have a retreat venue you want showcased on my site please email me asap and I’ll upload the details for you.   I am listing private rentals and official retreat/course venues. 

Finally, I couldn’t resist including a link to my book, The Voices of Angels.  My first novel is a Young Adult story about a girl who can predict death.  Currently a work in progress, here’s a chance to read the synopsis and some of the reader feedback I’ve had from authonomy.  In November, The Voices of Angels was voted number one book on the authonomy website and went on to be submitted to the editor’s desk at Harper Collins. 

So, please take a wander round and enjoy!!!!

Are you a budding writer living locally?

Do you crave something creative and fun to do in your spare time? 

Do you want to meet like-minded people, sit in a beachside cafe, and learn to improve your writing skills all at the same time?!

Then join us!  The only English-speaking creative writing group in the local area which also gets published!

The group has been running about 3 years now and is ever-changing, to reflect the transient nature of the ex-pats here! At heart, we are a friendly and supportive bunch of people, of all abilities and ages, who meet fortnightly on Tuesday mornings from 11am - 1pm. I lead the group, and as such, plan the exercises, decide on the written assignments, and mark these at home. The written assignments are mostly short stories which are either genre or skills based. Each one is about 1,500 words. People love the group because it gives them a timeframe and a discipline for their writing, they get to meet like-minded people, and they get to explore their creativity.

For a lot of people, this group is their first encounter with creative writing since school. Do not worry if you haven’t written for years! For others in the group, writing is very much a strong focus on their lives, and it’s this balance of people that makes a writing class so successful.

The format of the class is straightforward. We each read our stories and then provide friendly feedback. Again, do not worry about this! It’s an extremely nurturing atmosphere. We squeeze in a quick writing exercise which sets up the homework and then you go away and work on your creative juices and come up with a masterpiece! In complete confidence I will look at your story at home and give you that extra bit of attention that points out your strengths and weaknesses.

A lot of the writers at the moment are working on their own novels (but not all of them) and they tend to bring in the latest chapter. It’s a good way to see a book grow.

We always have a summer break and the last ‘official’ class was actually last Tues! But never fear, we are meeting on an informal basis on Tuesday 29th July and any newbies are very welcome to join us. The venue is Chiringuito Victoria on the seafront in Torre Del Mar. This chiringuito is opposite O’Donnels pub, and is the Caleta end of the prom, rather than the lighthouse end.

The first class is always a sample class and is free. If you choose to come on Tuesday then this can act as your intro class. Thereon each class is 20euros or some people prefer to pay for 4 classes upfront, thereby ensuring a level of commitment, and this is available for 70euros. If you take this 2nd payment option, it does not matter if you do not take the classes consecutively. Some people make 70 euros stretch 4 months. Although, like anything in life, the more you put in, the more you get out.

The overall aim of the group is to provide a safe atmosphere for all writers to learn and develop. Some people are writing books outside of the class and they use the tools they learn with us on these projects. Some people’s aims are to simply utilise their free time more creatively. Others aim for magazine publication. It’s my goal that all these aims are fulfilled.

Each month one of the short stories is chosen and published in the local publication, Streetwise.

Another success story!!!!  This from a very talented writer called Penny Simpson. 

Hi Hannah

will take a look. Just to let you know, The Banquet of Esther Rosenbaum has
(finally) been published and is currently selling in the 3 for 2 in
Waterstones nationally as well as been chosen to launch a new promotion, Welsh
Book of The Month, in local stores. Fantastic news for the book. This was the
book you helped advise on, way back when.

More details on my website http://www.pennysimpson.com/ And streamwriting is in the
book’s acknowledgements.

Well done!