The Fiction Doctor
mailto:[email protected]
Hi! I’m Cindy Davis, otherwise known as The Fiction Doctor—originally from New England, USA, now residing in sunny, humid Florida. Words have always been my passion. I have been a freelance editor since 1998. I have loved every minute of guiding my authors toward publication. If you need developmental edits or just proofing, you might be in the right place.
Take a gander below and around. Got questions? Just ask…
My Credentials
Written 18 novels: 14 mysteries, a women’s fiction, a romantic suspense, and a young adult fantasy trilogy
Two regional self-published books (both have sold more than 4000 copies locally)
One humorous non-fiction
One self-help for writers
Fifteen years editing for eight publishing houses
170+ articles and stories in national publications
Two years penning a humorous newspaper column
Instructor for WritersCollege.com
Over 550 edited novels to date. Most all have gone on to publication
Services
Proofreading
Proofing is for manuscripts that are ready for publication. It’s for when you want that final set of eyes to double check your work. I will read every word of your manuscript and fix only spelling, typos, punctuation, and formatting. Cost $1.50/page (standard manuscript format of 250-300 words/page)
Manuscript Assessment
I will outline your story’s strengths and weaknesses point out problems with plot, theme, syntax, grammar give ideas for deepening characters suggest new subplots provide thoughts on making dialogue more natural Cost: $1.50 per page (standard manuscript format of 250-300 words/page)
Formatting
I will take your completed manuscript and put it into shape for submission to editors and publishers, with headers and footers, chapter breaks, correct fonts and paragraph indents. I will return to you as a Word document that you may forward or print. Cost: $0.25/page.
Editing
This service combines manuscript assessment with editing that includes: Story structure–scene sequel development, showing vs. telling, Point of view, pacing, establishing voice, and presenting exposition. Plot development–narrative vs. dialogue, adding subplots, finding your theme. Character development–internal monologue, creating and exhibiting emotion, writing realistic dialogue. Fine tuning–eliminating overwriting, adding detail, sensory images, writing compelling openings, punctuation and spelling formatting to standard industry requirements assistance with synopsis and query letter, if desired two full reads of the manuscript. I use both Word Tracking and Comments features. There is no limit to our association during this phase. You may contact me every day if you wish
Summary
You are free to rework. Cost for editing is determined on a case by case basis. When you contact me, I will ask your wishes for the manuscript. What do you see for its future? Do you envision it on the shelves at Borders or on a corner of your family’s coffee table? Will you seek out publication by the ‘big guys’ or will you self-publish? This information will help us shape your final manuscript. I will ask for a synopsis of your story (a roughly put together one is fine) and the first three chapters.
Please email for an estimate on your project.