Make the book you set out to write stronger
I’m Gary Smailes. I’ll show you what’s working in your manuscript, where readers may lose interest or lose the thread, and what to tackle first in revision.
20+ years experience | 800+ books edited | Big Five publishing experience
The edit starts with what you want your book to do
Before I assess your manuscript, we’ll talk about who you’re writing for and what you want readers to experience. I’ll read with that in mind and show you where the book delivers that experience, where it falls short, and what’s worth protecting as you revise.
Honest feedback you can act on
I’ll point to specific passages, explain what they show, and suggest ways to address the underlying problem. Your editorial report gives you a revision plan in order, so you know which decisions to make first and what can wait. You decide which changes serve your book.
Work directly with me through the edit and revision
I’ll read your manuscript, write the report, and talk through the feedback with you. As you revise, you can come back to me with questions and discuss which sections you’d like me to look at again.
See the feedback before you commit
Send the first 2,000 words of your manuscript. I’ll show you what I notice in those opening pages, why it matters to a reader, and what you might try in revision. You can see how I work before deciding whether to book a full edit.