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*Closed for new submissions until September 2025* New York Times bestselling author, Wendy Higgins, is now offering paid professional developmental edits under the name Pink Pen Editing. Wendy will work with any genre of fiction, but please keep in mind that her professional expertise is in romance (adult, NA, and YA). Genres of romance included in her expertise are Fantasy/Romantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Paranormal, Mythology, and Contemporary. Horror and nonfiction are not a good fit for her. Please read all details. A link to sign up will be found at the bottom of this page. WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT? A developmental edit from Pink Pen will include line-by-line commentary of your manuscript via Track Changes in Microsoft Word, along with an “editorial letter” via email. |
Line-by-line commentary consists of pointing out awkward wording and overused words/phrases, clarifying meaning, and polishing language while maintaining the author's voice and style. Wendy also catches technical errors such as comma splices, misuse of semi-colons, colons, and apostrophes, subject/verb agreement, spelling errors, and typos.
The editorial letter will give detailed feedback about your story's content, such as a gentle analysis of characterizations, dialogue, pacing, plot, story arc, world-building, and setting. A developmental edit covers it all!
Wendy will tell you what she LOVED and what areas she believes could be strengthened. Most of all, Wendy wants to help authors by working as a team to improve the story. She understands the roller-coaster of emotions that goes into writing and will gladly hold your hand and be your cheerleader. She believes a good edit should lift up an author, not tear them down.
Developmental services include two parts: Wendy will read once, then send the marked manuscript with feedback and the editorial letter to the author for viewing. The author will have an opportunity to respond with any questions/queries about Wendy’s critique, and Wendy will respond to those questions/queries in a timely manner. Wendy will NOT do a second read-through for developmental edits.
Please keep in mind that reading is subjective. Wendy’s honest critique will be based on her college degrees, her time as an English teacher for middle and high school as well as college level, fourteen years of writing experience, working with agents and editors of publishing houses, and the many professional developmental edits received on her own works. As with any feedback, you can take and use what you need and disregard suggestions that are not in line with your vision.
Wendy will NOT be able to offer a professional endorsement/blurb for any work that she has been paid to critique.
SERVICES AND PAYMENT
Query Letter Critique: $25. A query letter is what an author uses to contact agents or small press publishers to introduce their project. A query letter is usually 2-4 paragraphs, less than one page. A query letter includes a brief bio of the author, the genre and word count of the manuscript, and a catchy blurb/explanation of the story. A query letter critique takes 1-4 days.
Synopsis Critique: $35. A synopsis is a more detailed explanation of your complete story, a condensed version of the book that outlines all of the major points of the story arc, beginning, middle, and end. A synopsis can be up to 5 pages and must be submitted double-spaced, size 12 font, A synopsis critique takes 2-5 days.
Partial Manuscript Critique: $2.50 per page, up to 50 pages. Need feedback on your story’s intro? Wendy is happy to read and critique your first chapter(s)! A partial manuscript can be up to 50 pages and must be submitted double-spaced, size 12 font, A partial manuscript critique takes 7-14 days. A partial manuscript over 50 pages will revert to price-per-word.
Full Manuscript Developmental Edit: $.006 per word (multiply your word count by $.006 for the price) Wendy offers a complete novel critique based on word count. Your book should be submitted double-spaced using size 12 font. A Full Manuscript Critique takes up to 21 days. Please read above for details of what is included.
Book Formatting via Vellum software: $100 ebook formatting. $150 paperback formatting. $250 for both.
All payments must be made via PayPal. Query Letter Critiques, Synopsis Critiques, and Partial Manuscript Critiques must be paid prior to services rendered (you will be billed upon agreement of a date).
For Full Manuscript Developmental Edits, a 50% deposit will be required prior to beginning, and the other half is due upon receipt of completed services. A Services Contract between Wendy and the author must be completed for all Full Manuscript Critiques.
INSTRUCTIONS
All projects must be submitted in a .doc/.docx file (Microsoft Word compatible,) double spaced, with size 12 Times New Roman font (this is the standard for professional submission). Wendy will use Track Changes in MS Word to make comments/edits. Wendy will provide all communication via email and will reply promptly.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Wendy Higgins will not reproduce, give, or show to anyone any material sent to her by an author for critiquing purposes. Your work is automatically copyrighted by you. Wendy will not “borrow” or use any of your ideas.
LIMITATIONS
No guarantees are made as to the salability or marketability of the edited manuscript. All royalties and monies gained by the sale of the book will be the sole property of the author.
As fiction is subjective to opinion, no guarantee can be made that Wendy’s feedback will be deemed as usable by the author. Wendy will be thoughtful and thorough, using her knowledge and experience to help shape the manuscript into a publishable novel. It is understood that the author and the editor may or may not agree on the feedback given. Disagreement does not mean services rendered will go unpaid.
TERMINATION
Once the project is in process either party may terminate this Agreement in the event of a change of circumstance with 3 days’ notice sent in writing by email. If Wendy needs to terminate the agreement, the author will pay for work done up to the date of termination, and Wendy will refund any overpayment. If the author terminates the agreement, the author will pay the Editor for the work completed up to the date of termination, but this amount will not be less than 50% of the estimated total for the project.
READY TO SIGN UP?
Critique times are based on availability on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please fill out this interest form and you will be promptly contacted with the soonest available time slot. Thank you!
The editorial letter will give detailed feedback about your story's content, such as a gentle analysis of characterizations, dialogue, pacing, plot, story arc, world-building, and setting. A developmental edit covers it all!
Wendy will tell you what she LOVED and what areas she believes could be strengthened. Most of all, Wendy wants to help authors by working as a team to improve the story. She understands the roller-coaster of emotions that goes into writing and will gladly hold your hand and be your cheerleader. She believes a good edit should lift up an author, not tear them down.
Developmental services include two parts: Wendy will read once, then send the marked manuscript with feedback and the editorial letter to the author for viewing. The author will have an opportunity to respond with any questions/queries about Wendy’s critique, and Wendy will respond to those questions/queries in a timely manner. Wendy will NOT do a second read-through for developmental edits.
Please keep in mind that reading is subjective. Wendy’s honest critique will be based on her college degrees, her time as an English teacher for middle and high school as well as college level, fourteen years of writing experience, working with agents and editors of publishing houses, and the many professional developmental edits received on her own works. As with any feedback, you can take and use what you need and disregard suggestions that are not in line with your vision.
Wendy will NOT be able to offer a professional endorsement/blurb for any work that she has been paid to critique.
SERVICES AND PAYMENT
Query Letter Critique: $25. A query letter is what an author uses to contact agents or small press publishers to introduce their project. A query letter is usually 2-4 paragraphs, less than one page. A query letter includes a brief bio of the author, the genre and word count of the manuscript, and a catchy blurb/explanation of the story. A query letter critique takes 1-4 days.
Synopsis Critique: $35. A synopsis is a more detailed explanation of your complete story, a condensed version of the book that outlines all of the major points of the story arc, beginning, middle, and end. A synopsis can be up to 5 pages and must be submitted double-spaced, size 12 font, A synopsis critique takes 2-5 days.
Partial Manuscript Critique: $2.50 per page, up to 50 pages. Need feedback on your story’s intro? Wendy is happy to read and critique your first chapter(s)! A partial manuscript can be up to 50 pages and must be submitted double-spaced, size 12 font, A partial manuscript critique takes 7-14 days. A partial manuscript over 50 pages will revert to price-per-word.
Full Manuscript Developmental Edit: $.006 per word (multiply your word count by $.006 for the price) Wendy offers a complete novel critique based on word count. Your book should be submitted double-spaced using size 12 font. A Full Manuscript Critique takes up to 21 days. Please read above for details of what is included.
Book Formatting via Vellum software: $100 ebook formatting. $150 paperback formatting. $250 for both.
All payments must be made via PayPal. Query Letter Critiques, Synopsis Critiques, and Partial Manuscript Critiques must be paid prior to services rendered (you will be billed upon agreement of a date).
For Full Manuscript Developmental Edits, a 50% deposit will be required prior to beginning, and the other half is due upon receipt of completed services. A Services Contract between Wendy and the author must be completed for all Full Manuscript Critiques.
INSTRUCTIONS
All projects must be submitted in a .doc/.docx file (Microsoft Word compatible,) double spaced, with size 12 Times New Roman font (this is the standard for professional submission). Wendy will use Track Changes in MS Word to make comments/edits. Wendy will provide all communication via email and will reply promptly.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Wendy Higgins will not reproduce, give, or show to anyone any material sent to her by an author for critiquing purposes. Your work is automatically copyrighted by you. Wendy will not “borrow” or use any of your ideas.
LIMITATIONS
No guarantees are made as to the salability or marketability of the edited manuscript. All royalties and monies gained by the sale of the book will be the sole property of the author.
As fiction is subjective to opinion, no guarantee can be made that Wendy’s feedback will be deemed as usable by the author. Wendy will be thoughtful and thorough, using her knowledge and experience to help shape the manuscript into a publishable novel. It is understood that the author and the editor may or may not agree on the feedback given. Disagreement does not mean services rendered will go unpaid.
TERMINATION
Once the project is in process either party may terminate this Agreement in the event of a change of circumstance with 3 days’ notice sent in writing by email. If Wendy needs to terminate the agreement, the author will pay for work done up to the date of termination, and Wendy will refund any overpayment. If the author terminates the agreement, the author will pay the Editor for the work completed up to the date of termination, but this amount will not be less than 50% of the estimated total for the project.
READY TO SIGN UP?
Critique times are based on availability on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please fill out this interest form and you will be promptly contacted with the soonest available time slot. Thank you!
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"“I loved working with Wendy Higgins on my manuscript, Memory Walker. I’ve been involved in critique groups for years but when I got her feedback, I was blown away. She pointed things out that no one else had, which made my novel really shine! Not to mention I learned a few things that have helped me with my current WIP! Even better…after Wendy’s critique, I received two full requests and four contracts, one of which I signed. I’m super grateful for her critique guidance, and I’ll 100% hire her again. Highly recommend her critique services!” "
~Carly Marino, Atlanta, GA, Author of the YA PNR novel, Memory Walker |
"“My experience with Wendy has proved to be positively invaluable! While providing a critique of a full manuscript, synopsis, and query letter, her comments and suggestions were positive yet honest. Never once did I feel put down by her advice, but eager to apply it to my work, and not just the project she critiqued, but all projects. The whole experience was not only helpful, but reinforced my opinion of her as a writer and a mentor. The writing industry is tough, but her support and wisdom have made me feel like I can take it on!” "
~Jennifer K, Billings, MT, YA fantasy writer |