Unleash the dragon on your manuscript! Michelle is an editor, providing meticulous and amazing editing. Here's a bit about her: Michelle Dunbar is a writer, reader and developmental editor of science fiction and fantasy. She assists authors from the very first draft and up to (but not including) copyediting. She holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature and is an entry level member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (UK). She has been a freelance editor since August 2015, but editing since June 2014 (prior to which she worked (online) as an intern for an overseas (American) independent publisher for one year. I know a few of her clients and they tell me she's like an editing superhero, rescuing manuscripts and plotlines from mistakes and holes. ![]() Anyway, Here's her interview! The initials are fun, because together we are Dr. and MD. Crazy, right? And plenty of super heroes are doctors also. Hmm, maybe Michelle can teach me a thing or five... D.R.- Coffee or tea? M.D.- I’m English, so it’s tea for me. Always tea. D.R.- Marvel or DC? M.D.- Star Wars! I’ve never been into Marvel or DC and only know Batman from Spiderman because the costumes give it away. I grew up on science fiction – Star Trek, Flash Gordon and Battlestar Galactica being my favourites. D.R.- Dogs or cats? M.D.- Dogs. I have two border collies to keep me on my toes. D.R.- Cake or pie? M.D.- Oh, cake. Chocolate. Preferably with a nice cup of tea. D.R.- Where'd you get the idea for your business/goods/services? M.D.- Well, my business is developmental (and line) editing, which came about after I spent a year working as an intern for an independent publisher (online placement). I received excellent feedback from the publisher and by the time the internship came to an end, I’d already that I wanted to be an editor. I spent the following year beta reading and editing for free as I ‘practiced’ on many a manuscript, using the feedback I received from authors to fine tune the working practice and service I wanted to offer. In August last year, I took my first steps towards becoming a freelance editor, and haven’t stopped reading and editing since. D.R.- What genres do you feel comfortable supporting? M.D.- I decided early on in my editing ‘career’ to specialise in science fiction and fantasy genres (and sub-genres thereof), to only do developmental and line editing, and to only work with independent authors. D.R.- What do you have to offer authors? M.D.- I’m particular about high standards as I believe indie authors need to aim high, to produce their very best work, and to never shrug their shoulders and say ‘well, it’s self-published, so it’s bound to have mistakes…’ I’d like to think that what I offer authors is a friendly, respectful, yet honest round of edits. It’s not in my nature to engage in a brutal, nasty, rip-it-to-shreds style edit, but that doesn’t mean I won’t turn a manuscript blood-red. I would much rather explain how specific effects can be achieved using a section of the author’s writing as an example and encourage discussion. It also brings me great job satisfaction to watch that writer’s craft strengthen and develop and know that I helped in some small way. D.R.- Do you have any goods/services that might benefit readers or other artists? M.D.- In addition to editing, I also run a sort of book promotion site. I say sort of as I’m not a professional book promoter. Although I sell the occasion ad, most of what I do is free. Its purpose is to help independent and small press authors spread word of book releases and their achievements. Oh, and - surprise, surprise - it’s dedicated to books within science fiction and fantasy genres. D.R.- Where can we find your goods/services on the Internet? M.D.- My editing website can be found here and my ‘sort-of’ book promotion website can be found here. D.R.- Tell us about your partner/helper/staff/assistant. M.D.- I don’t have any official partners or assistants, but I do have three new editors under my wings at the moment: two developmental editors, and one who will edit through all stages of the editing process. They have been assisting me with some of my work (for which I sought the authors’ permission), thus gaining experience, testimonials, but most importantly, I can vouch personally for each of them. You can find Michelle on Facebook and Twitter as well as her websites listed above. I made her a slideshow with a few of her favorite things. As usual, click through the pictures to get to her links.
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August 2022
D.R. Perry's books on Goodreads
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