Gary Percesepe has been a working editor for over thirty years at Antioch Review, Mississippi Review, and New World Writing. As a freelance editor, he works with writers of all abilities who wish to publish their work for the first time, as well as emerging and experienced writers who want “a wider reach” for their published work, and a paycheck to boot! He works with a small clientele of writers, helping to polish their work and prepare it for publication.
If interested, here is the process:
- I work directly on the manuscript. First, I will let you know which lines sing. I believe that praise is important and necessary, because it allows you to recognize the strength of your work. I also copy-edit, working to improve the writing at the sentence level. I fix typos, question word choice (diction) and delete unnecessary words (this is common). I put suggestions directly on the page — asking questions as they arise and offering solutions.
- I provide my clients with a detailed letter that addresses the bigger picture: voice, pacing, plotting, character, dialogue. I help writers expand manuscripts that are too lean or streamline manuscripts that lose focus.
- Finally, while I believe firmly in focusing on the positive, always letting the writer know what works. I am also tough. Kind words from your editor will not get you closer to publication.
- Finally, we talk, either by telephone or zoom or via email. Together, I want us to settle on a revision plan that you are pleased and comfortable with before you get back to work.
If this sound acceptable to you, we can discuss my fee.
Drop me a line at garypercesepe@gmail.com