Heather A Busse
Heather.ann.busse@starweatherpress.com
https://starweatherpress.com/contact/
I attended Hamline University for a BFA in English and creative writing. Prior to that, I completed an AA and AFA focused on English, communications, creative writing, and journalism at NHCC. My office is in Minneapolis, MN. In 2022, I won a first place award for a repeatedly edited publication by the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW).
My experience spans more than 15 years in several types of writing and editing, which includes proposals, technical, procedures, policies, all types of fiction, news, video games, ELL curriculum, nonfiction, creative nonfiction (CNF), poetry, and magazines.
From 2014 through 2015, I wrote, “The Useful Life Clockworks Company,” for Calamities Press as H.A. Busse. It was a steampunk fictional series focused on the detective Jack Velverton.
Currently, I work as a freelance editor in fiction and proposal manager writer/editor in business.
Editing Service Breakdown
My style includes open communication with my authors. I am easily reachable on Facebook as Heather A Busse and I assist in moderating the group Fiction Writing established by Brian Paone.
I do use a contract and order form, provide sample edits for most edit types, and I prefer Word for tracking changes and commenting. My prices are in USD. Manuscripts should be completed and as polished as possible.
Authors who require more than one type of edit may receive a bundled rate. Please contact me for terms. See below for individual edit types and rates available.
Contracted Payment Schedule Agreements
The contract will divide the work up into edited portions. The contract will include a dated schedule for payments and edits. Upon receipt of each payment by date, the customer will receive the scheduled edit for that date. The contract will include details of the specific project and schedule.
List of Available Edits and Price
Developmental $0.035 x Word Count
- Fix and improve big picture issues in narrative, craft elements of fiction, story and plot, characterization, inconsistencies, and plot holes.
Structural $0.025 x Word Count
- Fix and improve the way the story unfolds, chapter breaks, chronological or linear order, twists and turns, pacing and other aspects of how the story unfolds for the reader to keep them engaged.
Copy Edit $0.025 x Word Count
- Fix and improve the following:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Capitalization
- Paragraph indents and breaks
- Dialogue tags
- Diction choice
- POV/Tense (unintentional shifts)
- Descriptive inconsistencies with characters, places, and items
Line or Style Edit $0.025 x Word Count
- Fix the creative flow and content on a line level, instead of mechanics, this edit focuses on fixing style and the flow of prose in the creative content. This edit is a look at syntax and diction.
Proofreading $0.20 x Word Count
- A more detailed and laser focused fix on the following:
- Inconsistent spelling and style (labor or labour)
- Inconsistencies in layout and typography
- Confusing or awkward page and word breaks
- Incorrect captioning on illustrations and page numbers
- Fix headings and titles
- Numbers
- Punctuation
- Subject and verb agreement
- Symbols
- Spacing
- Fonts
- Consistency to “Style Sheet”
Organizational (nonfiction and business) $0.025 x Word Count
- This edit focuses on requirements in nonfiction or business writing and usually follows a requirements guide or checklist. I perform these tasks:
- Fix introduction and conclusion
- Sequential order of sections
- All topics addressed
- Is it easy to determine the main idea or purpose
- Theme statements
- Supporting details
Content (nonfiction and business) $0.025 x Word Count
- This edit includes fixes on required content and information provided in the text, usually with a given requirements guide or checklist.
- Theme statements addressed
- All points support claims
- Information clearly identified by section
- Subordinate points relate to and support main points
- Facts, details, and examples support the claims
- A logical flow for each section and paragraph
- Fix contradictions and inconsistencies
- Conclusions wrap up the main points
Fact-Checking (nonfiction and business) $0.015 x Word Count
- Research facts
- Find sources
- Create a citation and source list
In-Depth Critiques $0.011 x Word Count
An In-depth critique involves examining a manuscript for issues in craft elements. Craft elements include: character, voice, POV, setting, plot, scene, exposition, literary devices, theme, dialogue, etc.
- Read the draft for issues concerning craft elements in fiction
- provide comments throughout the draft to improve the narrative
- provide in-line examples and suggestions based on craft issues found in the manuscript (not developmental, not line, not a copy edit)
- provide some corrections as a courtesy when I see errors (not a full-edit)
Basic Critique $ Half an In-Depth Critique Described Herein
- Read through the draft for issues concerning craft elements in fiction
- Provide comments throughout the draft to improve the narrative