Why DMA?
Dawn Marano & Associates offers
developmental and substantive editing which, in contrast to copyediting,
attends to issues such as the overarching
structure of a book, its narrative arc, its latent thematic
content, the voice of its character(s) or narrator, its
handling of time cues and tense-shifts, the dimensions
of its scenes, its narrative pacing, and so
forth--fundamental issues that may impair its
chances for publication. Developmental and substantive editing is
also appropriate for a book-in-progress, before a
complete manuscript draft has been achieved.
The publishing industry has changed dramatically in
recent years. Because of economic pressures bearing
upon publishers, developmental and substantive editing costs for promising
manuscripts, once routinely underwritten by publishing
houses, are being shifted to writers and/or their agents.
If the goal is to publish, authors deserve the most
comprehensive and rewarding editing
experience possible. This means finding an experienced
independent editor; one who can understand and communicate
with a particular author; one who feels an affinity with
his or her work.
Finding the right independent editor might be compared
to meeting the right therapist--and we don't make the
analogy lightly. DMA conceives of the work we do for authors
and their manuscripts as book therapy because we
believe that the best editors invite and sustain a
dynamic process of exploration between two minds--a
process based on mutual trust and respect.
Together we make a commitment, not to a "cure" for your
manuscript, but to our shared
"curiosity" about it. Together we turn that curiosity
into exciting, transformative discoveries and tangible
improvement on the page.
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"Without the luck of Dawn Marano in my writing
life, I honestly doubt I would have books published at all."
--Mark Spragg, Where Rivers Change Direction
"Whatever virtue my book possesses is due in large part to
Dawn's insight and tact."
--Chris Chester, Providence of a Sparrow
"Dawn Marano's greatest strength (among many) is her ability to perceive what you have in mind, the ideal book held somewhere suspended between what is actually on the page and what needs to be there."
--Elizabeth Dodd, Prospect: Journeys & Landscapes |