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Lyn Fairchild Hawks

YA Author, Teacher & College Essay Consultant

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Writers

Writing workshops available upon request for topics such as

  • writing a query letter that gets you out of the slush pile
  • developing characters to remember
  • writing your resistance
  • and revision strategies

Contact Lyn

Success Story Editorial Services

Fiction

I offer a range of services, whether it’s feedback on a chapter and a query letter to publishers or agents, or, a full developmental edit of the whole manuscript, where I provide a narrative summary of strengths, summary of areas for changes, and then line edits on each page reflecting my recommended changes. My service also includes a follow-up conference once all edits are sent.

I review the manuscript for characterization (believability, driving motivation, dialogue, arc across the story); point of view (consistency, transitions, coherence and connectedness to characterization); plot structure, flow, and key “beats” or game-changing moments; setting (world building, mood, tone, coherence); and consistency of voice (diction, style, tone, and mood).

While I don’t provide full copy editing services (fact-checking, advice regarding disclaimers and legal issues that might arise, and formal style guide edits), I do provide intensive proofreading: identification of major grammatical and mechanical issues, including punctuation. I address every sentence for issues that might impede clarity or comprehension.

I will suggest and/or provide examples for improvement but will not rewrite, revise, or ghostwrite any portion of the manuscript.

Contact Lyn

Nonfiction

I highly recommend Lyn’s editorial services. She offered many helpful suggestions that improved the clarity. Grateful for her skills and thoughtfulness. 

– Judith Brooks, Deeper Into the Garden: Meditating with Plants

I offer a range of services, whether it’s feedback on a chapter and a query letter to publishers or agents, or, a full developmental edit of the whole manuscript, where I provide a narrative summary of strengths, summary of areas for changes, and then line edits on each page reflecting my recommended changes. My service also includes a follow-up conference once all edits are sent.

I review the manuscript for content quality (readability and audience appeal, relevance, arguments, details, imagery); structure and flow; clarity; and consistency of voice (diction, style, tone). I consider an author’s purpose and intended audience(s) and give extensive feedback on whether I see that purpose met and audience served.

While I don’t provide full copy editing services (fact-checking, advice regarding disclaimers and legal issues that might arise, and formal style guide edits), I do provide intensive proofreading: identification of major grammatical and mechanical issues, including punctuation. I address every sentence for issues that might impede clarity or comprehension.

I will suggest and/or provide examples for improvement but will not rewrite, revise, or ghostwrite any portion of the manuscript.

Fees

Depending on the project schedule and manuscript length, as well as the quality of writing, fees will vary. Typically, editing 80-100 pages, which includes line edits and a narrative summary in one full review, plus a follow-up conference, begins at $3000.

I also review smaller portions, such as the first chapters plus a query letters to agents or publishers, and/or proposals to editors and publishers. A ten-page chapter, plus a one-page query letter, might run $500, depending on manuscript quality and issues, and includes a follow-up phone call.

Contact Lyn

Latest Posts

13 Going on 14

I feel like I’m 13 anytime a book of mine is coming out. @nervesofsteel is no different. (More about the book and its release April 2023, here.) But what I want to talk about now is why this book came to be. When you’re 13 going on 14, a whole lot of things are going …Read more

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged @nervesofsteel, young adult literature | Leave a comment

Is YA Literary? The Search for an Abundant Canon

I’m an MFA in Writing! And I’m ready to talk abundant canon with any kindred spirits.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged canon, high school, high school canon, literary, young adult, young adult literature | Leave a comment

5 Questions to Ask Your Author Friend on Sub

“I’m about to go on sub,” I used to say to friends. “What’s that?” said my friends. “It means my agent is submitting my manuscript to editors.” “Oh!” “Or you could say, my manuscript is on submission to editors.” “Ah!” Pause. “So good luck! How long does that take?” “Two weeks, two months, two years. …Read more

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged author, editor, fiction, literary agent, manuscript, submission, young adult | Leave a comment

Grammar PSA: The Hawks Nest

Is it Hawks Nest, Hawks’ Nest, or Hawkses’ Nest? You decide.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Creativity in the Time of Corona

How do you get creative in the time of Corona?

Posted in authors, Books, Write | 4 Comments

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Learn more of my writing tips on YouTube

Writing Workshops

I can lead your group in developing characters, structuring plot, developing setting, or generating story ideas. Contact me for information regarding workshops with your writers’ group.

Testimonials from Pitch Agents and Magazines Workshop

“Thanks for presenting an informative and encouraging workshop! I really appreciated the practical advice and supportive tone Lyn and Tara Lynne offered in their presentations.”
—Kristin Wilson


“I just wanted to thank y’all again for having the seminar, and I hope you do more like it in the future! It was a great help…Thank you again and can’t wait for your feedback.”
—Cooper Howe


“I learned a lot and was lucky enough to come away with two great books as well!”
–Karen Duke


“This was an outstanding workshop! I feel more excited and encouraged about my writing than I have been in a long time. I’ve already started reading Magazine Queries That Worked, but this workshop really elaborated upon what’s in the book in a helpful and meaningful way. Tara Lynne was great, and I loved Lyn’s presentation style. She was really energetic, organized, and relatable. Thanks for sharing these awesome gems of guidance and advice today!”
–Meredith Newlin


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