Elizabeth Sims elizabethsims.com

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  • Left Field

    "What more could a reader ask for?" —Cheri Fuller and Nikki Little, Curve Magazine

  • I am Calico Jones

    "The quality of writing and the entertainment value are high." —W Spice

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Packs a twelve-week writing course into 280 pages." —Julie Compton,
    author of Keep No Secrets

  • The Actress

    "Intricate and surprising, this is a gripping read." —Kristine Huntley, Booklist

  • The Extra

    "The two leads, Rita and George, are engaging and believable." —Hallie Ephron, Boston Globe

  • On Location

    "Sims orchestrates the action—and occasional comic relief—for maximum impact." Publishers Weekly

  • Crimes in a Second Language

    Awarded the Silver Medal in general fiction. —Florida Book Awards, April 11, 2018

  • Holy Hell

    "A rollicking good mystery." —Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review

  • Damn Straight

    "Your evening read will keep you up 'til dawn." —Whitney Scott, Booklist

  • Lucky Stiff

    "Colorful episodes involving trailer parks and luxury cars." Kirkus Reviews

  • Easy Street

    "Sims has created one of those heroines who you wouldn't like to be but you'd like as a friend." —Sharon Wheeler, Reviewing the Evidence

  • Left Field

    "You'll be surprised over and over." —Caroline McCullagh, Mensa Bulletin

  • I am Calico Jones

    "Each of these four stories is a tiny gem." —Neil S. Plakcy, author

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "The approach is always positive and well worth the price of admission." —Ellen Hart, award-winning author

  • The Actress

    "A page-turner from stem to stern." Kirkus Reviews

  • The Extra

    "Goes down easy, like a perfect cup of coffee." Crimespree Magazine

  • On Location

    "A fast-paced, atmospheric mystery. Sims shines." —Melinda Bargreen, The Seattle Times

  • Crimes in a Second Language

    "Spot on dialog and well drawn female characters." —Ryan G. Van Cleave, Scene Magazine

  • Holy Hell

    "Byrd is a very likable amateur sleuth and Sims is a really entertaining storyteller." —Andrea L.T. Peterson, Woman's Monthly

  • Damn Straight

    "Appealing characters, and a rabbit mascot." Library Journal

  • Lucky Stiff

    "A nerve-tingling thriller, rich with characterization and humour." —Vancouver BC Public Library

  • Easy Street

    "Hilarious. Lillian is a true original." Kirkus Reviews

  • Left Field

    "Unforgettable characters, lovely moments and brilliant dialogue." The Lesbian Review

  • You've Got a Book in You

    "Elizabeth Sims proves herself a true writer's friend." —Jamie Morris, Director, Voice Heart Vision

  • The Actress

    "Sims' wry commentary on life in Hollywood is dead-on." Publishers Weekly

  • The Extra

    "An intelligent thriller." —Jay Strafford, Richmond Times-Dispatch

  • On Location

    "You just have to love Rita." Kirkus Reviews

  • Crimes in a Second Language

    "Sims is a master of word choice, sentence structure, and plot development." Mensa Bulletin

  • Holy Hell

    "I flat out loved this book." —Sheryl LeSage, Liberty Press

  • Go-Go Day

    "ANYONE assessing America’s best short story writers needs to include Elizabeth Sims." New Pop Lit

  • Damn Straight

    "Much charm and deprecating humor." Kirkus Reviews

  • Lucky Stiff

    "A nifty little puzzle solved by a most intriguing female detective." —Rex E. Klett, Library Journal

  • Easy Street

    "Don't overlook the work of this excellent and entertaining author." —Denise Pickles, Mary Martin Bookshop

Custom Coaching and Developmental Editing

 

Services and Rates

 

I can help you with any book project, fiction or nonfiction. I've worked with authors writing in these categories:

 

  • General nonfiction
  • Autobiography
  • Memoir
  • Self-help
  • How-to
  • Religious
  • Literary fiction
  • Traditional mystery
  • Thriller
  • Suspense
  • Crime
  • Detective
  • Police procedural / forensic
  • Hard-boiled
  • Amateur sleuth
  • Historical
  • Techno
  • Eco
  • LGBTQ
  • Espionage
  • Medical
  • Legal
  • Geopolitical
  • Pulp
  • Humor
  • Traditional romance
  • Historical romance
  • Cozy
  • Science fiction
  • Paranormal
  • Fantasy
  • Sports-themed fiction
  • Young adult
  • Series
  • Stand-alones
  • Teleplays
  • Screenplays
  • Opera lyric books
  • Masters and Doctoral dissertations
  • ...and more, believe it or not!
  • Also: Outlines, Synopses and Query Letters
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    Start here with a free consultation

     

    Send me your first seven pages (maximum 1,750 words). I’ll read them and give you professional feedback. This alone can result in a significant breakthrough. If you’re considering hiring me, it gives you a concrete sample of my work.

    esims@elizabethsims.com

     


     

    Developmental Editing

     

    I’ll read your manuscript and give you a substantive, constructive critique on multiple elements, such as plot, characters, structure, theme, and dialogue. My focus is on helping you make your manuscript as professional and commercially viable as possible. If your manuscript is fiction, I pay particular attention to plot, pace and character motivation, as these are the most crucial elements for success. If your project is nonfiction, I focus particularly on structure, pace and narrative voice.

     

    A developmental edit does not include a copy edit or proofreading. If your first goal is to land a traditional publishing contract, your publisher will copy edit your manuscript for free. But if I notice recurring issues with punctuation, spelling, usage, etc., I will bring them to your attention.

     

     

    You’ll get:

     

    • A get-acquainted consultation via phone or Zoom;
    • An editorial letter that covers the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, opportunities for improvement, and suggestions for achieving that improvement.
    • A one-hour discussion by phone or Zoom afterward.

     

    While I can work with any project at any stage, I encourage you to get your manuscript into the best possible shape before hiring me. You’ll get best benefit that way.

     

    $12 to $15 per 250 words. (The standard manuscript page is 250 words). I’ve found that every manuscript is different, every author is different, and every author’s needs are different. If you’re considering hiring me, I’ll ask for your first 50 pages, then will respond quickly with an exact quote. (There’s no charge for this.)

     

    Free with Developmental Edit $2000 and over: A copy of You’ve Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams, personalized to you and autographed.

     

    esims@elizabethsims.com

     


     

    Short Projects

     

    For short projects such as synopses, outlines, short stories or small collections, I charge my hourly rates, noted below. Total costs vary. Once I see your project, I can give you a quote. (No charge for this.)

     


     

    Custom Coaching

     

    Get some one-on-one time! This is all about you and your writing, from general to specific, with the goal of developing a complete literary work. If you’re working on a first draft or major revision, custom coaching from a professional can save you days of uncertain effort and spare you needless anxiety. Alternatively, or in addition, we can discuss strategies for building a career as a writer, including options for getting representation, publishing, and platform-building.

     

    Power Hour

     

    $230 via phone, Zoom, or in person. You talk, I listen, we cut through difficulties together. If your project has hit a rough patch, or if you feel stuck or unsettled about your path as a writer, this session can help you regain clarity, inspiration, and confidence. (I might note this is a great gift for any writer!)

     

    Power Package

     

    These hours are devoted to reading, analyzing, and discussing your work in progress—as well as your career—via phone, Zoom, and/or email. The hours can be spread over the course of days, weeks, or months, up to a year.

     

    3 hours for $600

     

    Free with your first Power Package

     

    A copy of You’ve Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams, personalized to you and autographed.

     


     

    Ready to move forward?

     

    Or not sure yet? Get in touch. I’ll be glad to help you figure it out, whether you end up hiring me or not.

    esims@elizabethsims.com

     

    Elizabeth Sims - The Mystery Ace elizabethsims.com

    Clients Give Opinions

     

     

    20+ books into my career and you'd think I wouldn't need to enlist the help of a good reader for my manuscripts. The truth is that we ALL need good readers to ensure we aren't suffering from what I've called 'bias blindness' regarding our own work's merits (or shortcomings). That's why I frequently share work with Elizabeth. She's a sensitive, thoughtful, and generous responder who challenges me to be better than I thought I could be. What more could you ask for?

     

    Ryan G. Van Cleave

    Author of Memoir Writing for Dummies

     

     

    I was in a real bind, having just lost my long-time editor to retirement. Elizabeth stepped in and worked with me quickly and seamlessly to edit my book. Her work was timely and insightful, and her suggestions for tightening several sections and re-imagining the beginning of the novel were instrumental in the book's success. Elizabeth is a real pro, certain to improve any project she touches with her little red pen.

     

    Lynn Ames

    Author of Great Bones,Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award finalist and Goldie Award-winner, and many more books

     

     

    Elizabeth is everything one could want in an editor and writing coach. First and foremost, she knows her stuff. Second, she's thorough, reliable and a fantastic educator. Elizabeth has a way of delivering honest feedback that helped me to better understand the areas of weakness in my writing while leaving me encouraged and armed with the tools to improve. To top things off, she's funny, kind and a great person. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Elizabeth. I look forward to working with her on my next book, The Beekeeper.

     

    Bev Prescott

    Author of and other books

     

    Working with Elizabeth Sims’ fine balance of exceptional skills is one of the most beneficial—and enjoyable—experiences I've had as a writer.

     

    Her highly developed creativity, grounded in a deep understanding of craft, gets down into the work as if it's her own, yet never intrudes on the individuality of a voice—either the author's or the story's. She's as knowledgeable about structure, form, and every vital aspect of story as a seasoned architect is about design, yet also an advocate for what is unfailingly fresh.

     

    Elizabeth is a clear and timely communicator, a pleasure to work with, and what she contributed to the process of my novel was a game-changer and turning point, for me and for my work.

     

    Phyllis Ring

    Author of Snow Fence Road and other books

     

     

     

    Elizabeth Sims made me reach far deeper into my writing education and myself than I thought possible. With her insightful critiques, guidance and support, I did the work, fixed the problems and built on the strengths. The result was not only a significantly improved manuscript and a solid voice; I am a much better writer now thanks to Elizabeth, and I'm halfway into my next novel, without encountering any of the stumbling blocks that were holding me back before.

     

    Joseph Miccio

     

     

     

    With an author’s heart and a teacher’s mind, Elizabeth Sims coached me to confidence in her thoughtful review of the detailed synopsis of my mystery novel. She served as a sounding-board for my premise, stuck with me through the draft of my first fifty pages, and gave me the courage to expand on an edgy plot dynamic intended to create a stir among readers of traditional mysteries. I highly recommend her writing services.

     

    Liz Boeger

    Author of AppleJacked!

     

     

     

    I first began with Elizabeth in a Writer’s Digest webinar in the early stages of A Layer of Darkness. Her comments struck me in a way that others couldn’t. She has a unique ability to see through the opaqueness of average writing and understand an author's true intent. I think we all struggle with that to a degree—knowing what we want in our heads but failing to cogently put it into words. Elizabeth knows how to open those doors.

     

    With a full book content edit, Elizabeth is like a literary HGTV show. She comes into it, takes out the trash, outlines the remodel and will leave you with the same house, but a greatly improved look. I look forward to working with her again soon with my next book, China Basin.

     

    Rick Niles

    Author of A Layer of Darkness

     

     

     

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