I’ve been in the business world long enough to know great value when I see it—and Winslow Eliot’s editing is the best value proposition I’ve found in the writing business. When I began my journey to become a published author, I decided my primary goal was to give great value to my readers by delivering fun, entertaining novels with thought provoking premises and page-turning plots. I knew that when I polished my final drafts, I needed a professional editor that could help me achieve that goal. What I found was that and much more, when Winslow Eliot edited three of my thrillers, The Sunset Conspiracy, Genetic Imperfections, and Swimming Monkeys.
Winslow certainly did the perfunctory proofreading, but more importantly, she provided critical insights and a unique point of view about my writing that proved invaluable in meeting my goal for my readers. In addition, her words of encouragement and support throughout the process stayed with me on the journey from manuscript to publication.
Steve Hadden, Author
The Sunset Conspiracy, Genetic Imperfections and Swimming Monkeys
It is huge news for all authors, whether established, indie or aspiring—that Winslow Eliot accepts manuscripts for editing! I am one of the lucky ones who got in on the ground floor, so to speak, as Winslow has edited two of my books, Lethal Experiment and Now & Then. Just so you know, I couldn’t be more pleased with the results!
In my experience, there are two types of editors. While both seek out errors, inconsistencies and punctuation issues, only the second type will take a personal interest in your work in order to help you become a better author. This is the type of editor Winslow Eliot is, and no one will go the extra mile to help you like she will.To be sure, there are lots of great editors out there, and I have worked with four excellent ones. What makes Winslow the best in my experience is her ability to help me improve my writing while allowing me to preserve my identity as an author. In other words, she “gets” what I’m trying to do, and doesn’t try to change my style. My experience with other editors was frustrating because they wanted me to write like everyone else. I don’t want to write like everyone else, I just want to be the best “me” I can be. Winslow doesn’t believe that all writers have to fit a certain mold or conform to a certain cookie-cutter style. She celebrates the elements that make your writing style unique and shows you how to enhance them.
You’re in for a treat. Winslow will take you on an editing adventure! Her margin comments are legendary! She encourages you to be better, never talks down to you, and keeps her eye on the goal, to help you complete the best manuscript possible.
In addition to all this, Winslow’s pricing schedule is incredibly affordable. I paid one editor FOUR times as much and got half the quality, and that’s the truth.
John Locke
Author
Lethal People, Lethal Experiment, Saving Rachel, and Now & Then
I’ve worked on several projects with Kendell Shaffer and Jefferson Eliot and cannot sing their praises highly enough – very smart, great listeners, clearly understand the technical side of writing and bring great heart to all they personally write.
George W. Perkins
Executive Producer
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
Kendell Shaffer does not simply help urban students learn the skills of sceenwriting; utilizing a supportive, collaborative process, she also assists them in developing a meaningful understanding of their personal journeys and the ability to express their stories through raw, riveting scripts.
Greg Calvert
Drama & English Teacher
Crenshaw High School, LAUSD
I was recently delighted by the editorial services of Winslow Eliot. She was able to work within my magazine article’s tight deadline and help me, both over the phone, with organizational concepts, and via email, with detailed textual edits. She was thorough, but above all, unfailingly patient and reassuring at all times. I look forward to her assistance in the future and couldn’t more highly recommend her services to anyone looking to finish a piece of writing in a professional manner.
Duncan Brine
Horticultural Design, Inc.
gardenlarge.com
Kendell’s writing for Delight and the other Delight blogs has been not only insightful and compelling but she uses humor and her keen observations to draw you into her world as a modern mom that you just have to share with others.
Lynda Keeler
President/Co-Founder
GentSupplyCo.com (our newest shop just for guys)
Delight.com
Delightfulblogs.com~ Delight has been voted one of the 100 HOTTEST ECOMMERCE SITES OF 2009 (and now for 2010!) by Internet Retailer Magazine.
Over the last several years, Kendall Shaffer has volunteered her time to read and critique scripts submitted to the Scriptwriters Network Television Outreach Program. She is insightful, has a proven eye for detail, offer her critiques in a courteous but noncondescending way, as well presenting solid ideas for improving stories.
Diane House
Television Outreach Chair, Dramas
Scriptwriters Network
Kendell Shaffer takes her students and their work to heart. She uses her knowledge and talents to teach by inspiration. Working with her, students not only learn new information, she also helps them discover resources and opportunities within themselves.
Adam L Huss
Director of Outreach Programming
Writer’s Guild Foundation
Samantha Stier edited and proofread my ninth book, The Last Au Pair, and did fantastic work. She was prompt, made insightful comments, and was easy to work with. Her pricing schedule is reasonable, and I would definitely recommend her to anyone who is looking for an editor.
Mike Sincere
Author
The Last Au Pair
“Samantha, thank you so much for your detailed review. I really appreciate all your advice and will take all of it into consideration. Your opinion and notes are so valuable. I especially appreciated your in-depth evaluation of each character, as well as your suggestions on character development. Who knew changing a few a simple things could make the reader relate more profoundly to my characters? Again, thank you for valuing my book as much as you do and really taking the time to go above and beyond the standard edits!”
Rebeca Butler
Author
When Winslow Eliot accepted to edit my manuscripts, I considered myself one very lucky author because her reputation and credentials were exceptional. Since that first initial encounter, Winslow has edited three of my books, The Puzzle, Without Any Warning & 86 Avenue du Goulet. To say I am pleased with the results is an understatment. She not only corrected errors, grammar and the continuity, but she kept pushing me for so much more. I never expected her to take such a personal interest in me as an author. She not only helped me improve my writing, but insisted that I keep and preserve my unusual writing style because she felt it was so original in that I speak to my readers as I tell the story in first person. I had found my voice and she didn’t want me to lose that. More than once she said she understood where I was going with my mysteries and insisted I stay focused on that uniqueness. She understood me completely.That alone convinced me I had made the right decision to have her as my editor. Now, I have to warn you about her margin comments. They are legendary in the industry. For example: (Ha! You have got to be kidding!) (Do you expect me to believe that?) (What were you thinking?) (Let’s stay focused here) You get the idea. And those were the mild ones! I was so impressed with her insight with those sidebars (which were spot on) that I included some of them in my book. My protagonist, Samantha is a novelist and is constantly talking or whining about her editor approving half the stuff she is writing. Of course, I don’t feel that way in real life about mine. My editor is perfectly sublime! You know, I have a feeling she won’t be able to resist editing what I have written here. Trust me, she can’t help it! I have been blessed to have her. She is truly gifted as an editor, sidebar comments and all!
Peggy A. EdelheitAuthor of Without Any Warning, The Puzzle, 86 Avenue du Goulet
