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Dustin Schell

Professional Editing &
Manuscript Consultation
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SERVICES

I'm a freelance developmental editor and manuscript consultant who is equally at home with fiction and creative nonfiction. I work with a wide variety of authors on novels, story collections, memoirs, long-form essays, and screenplays. I offer a range of editing servicesfrom sentence-level analysis to comprehensive, big-picture problem solving.

My strengths are in locating the heart of a piece of writing, clearing away those parts that get in the way of it, organizing the narrative, and getting a manuscript to sing by asking the right questions of the writer. I am a compassionate and skilled reader of trauma narratives, and always work from a place of generosity—building on an author's unique voice to deliver their very best work.

 

services
Developmental
Editing

An in depth, top-to-bottom dive into your manuscript, this structural edit begins with a 30 minute introductory meeting to assess your goals. Then, after a close read of the manuscript, I will respond with a comprehensive editorial letter summarizing the work and its strengths, including notes on structure, character, pacing, theme, style, and voice—followed by actionable suggestions for improvement. I will also provide examples for strengthening your work on a sentence level via MS Word Track Changes. The edit will conclude with a 90 minute meeting to discuss the letter in detail, and create a plan for appropriate changes toward the next stage of the manuscript. Rates for developmental editing range from $.03 to $.07 per word, depending on length of manuscript and depth of work. Minimum: $550.00

Manuscript
Consultation

Manuscript consultations vary from editor to editor, and there is considerable overlap between a consultation and a developmental edit. In order to meet my clients' needs, I've created a way of working together which is less time intensive and therefore easier on your budget. After an initial 15 minute meeting to discuss your goals, I will closely read and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript. In 75 minute follow up meeting, I will recommend changes for the next draft, including structure, character, pacing, theme, voice, and style, as needed. Please note, a manuscript consultation does not include an editorial letter, edits on the manuscript itself, or Track Changes. Rates range from $.02 to $.05 per word, depending on length and depth of work. Minimum: $425.00

Screenplay
Assessment

A screenplay assessment is similar to a manuscript consultation. It consists of a 15 minute introductory meeting to discuss your goals and any trouble spots or areas that need attention. After a close reading of the screenplay you will receive a 3 to 5 page assessment and we will meet again for 75 minutes in which I will recommend changes regarding structure, plot, character, objective, setting, pacing, plausibility, conflict and resolution, as needed. $7.00 per page. Minimum: $650.00

TESTIMONIALS

“Dustin Schell is a formidable editor: he is both razor-sharp and incredibly kind, working from a place of generosity and wit. I've valued his edits to my novel tremendously—he has a keen eye for structure and pacing, but also for the rhythm and flow of each sentence. After one recent session with him, I decided to completely rework my manuscript, and it is so much better for it.”

Flynn Berry, author of Northern Spy, A Double Life (both New York Times Editor’s picks), Under the Harrow (Edgar Award), and Trust Her

ABOUT

Dustin Schell comes to editing and manuscript consultation from an unorthodox angle. As an actor and filmmaker, he studied plays and scripts for nearly three decades—developing a keen eye for structure, language, and rhythm. He has also enjoyed the privilege of living among writers, teachers of writing, and the literary community for almost as long. As a result, he is a regular reader for a number of published authors. Schell was educated at University of Wisconsin—Madison and Circle in the Square Theatre School. He has been a screenwriting resident at The Hermitage Artist Retreat, worked with writers in GrubStreet's novel and memoir incubators, and is former co-host of Still Queer, an online reading series from Still North Books & Bar. He divides his time between New York City and rural Vermont.

A picture of Dustin Schell, editor. A white man with glasses and short brown hair, smiling at the camera
About
Contact

CONTACT

Request a free quote:

Fill in the form and I will get back to you during business hours (Monday-Friday, eastern time) . Tell me a little about yourself and your project, including page & word count.

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© 2024 by Dustin Schell

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