Contact: rt@saddleroadpress.com
Manuscript Consultation and Editing
About Me
I am the editor of Saddle Road Press, which has been publishing poetry, literary fiction, and creative nonfiction since 2011. I received a BA in English from Stanford University, where I also studied creative writing, and a PhD in English from Indiana University, where I wrote my dissertation on William Faulkner. I’ve been an English professor, a book editor, a library director and a college dean in California. I now live in Ithaca, New York. I am an award-winning poet and author of five books. Contact: rt@saddleroadpress.com
Note:
When Manuscript Editing, you are welcome to give me your limit as to how many hours I can spend, and what kinds of issues you are most concerned with.
Developmental Consulting
Guidance, support, and feedback as you write or revise your book. One month, three month, and six month contracts, for an agreed-upon amount of consulting time per month. $75 per hour.
Initial Manuscript Review
I will read your manuscript and tell you whether I think it is ready to submit or whether it needs further thought or revision, and why. I’ll suggest general directions I think you might take at this point, and the kinds of revisions you might consider. Includes a thirty minute phone conversation to answer your questions. $350-$500 for a full length manuscript, depending on length.
Manuscript Editing – Levels I & II
Level I: I will talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript, its organization and structure, major issues with tone, language, voice, or character, whether sections or pieces might be dropped or added. Includes a forty-five minute telephone call to discuss any issues or questions you wish to discuss. $75 per hour.
Level II: I will give your book the intensive editing I give to books accepted for publication by Saddle Road Press. This includes specific recommendations for how you can address strengths and weaknesses, detailed content and line editing, and detailed suggestions for organization and structure, tone, language, voice, character, etc. Includes a one hour telephone call to discuss any issues or questions you wish to discuss. $75 per hour.
Genres
Poetry, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Memoir, and Creative Non-Fiction.
A Few Of the Books I’ve Edited
Contact: rt@saddleroadpress.com
“Ruth edited my novel with deep sensitivity, wisdom, and skill. As a developmental consultant she helped me shape the next draft, and shared her insights and knowledge with generosity and love. She respected my vision and made my writing shine.”
– Barbara Ann Yoder, Writer, Editor, Teacher, Coach (www.barbaraannyoder.com)
“Ruth Thompson is an extraordinarily adept and careful editor, whose deft edits improved my memoir Face immensely. She offered several suggestions that led to added scenes, greatly enhancing the overall narrative. I highly recommend Ruth!”
– Marcia Meier, author of Face: A Memoir, winner of the New Mexico-Arizona Book Award and five other national and international book awards
“Ruth is a revision magician with peerless vision and a delightful sense of humor, an editor who engages on all levels, from the music of the language within the line, to line breaks, to the overall arc of the book. Her editorial eye is attuned to the best incarnation of a manuscript, so if you have the chance to work with her, be prepared to roll up your sleeves and hit the desk. Ruth’s loving but tenacious guidance calls forth the writer’s deepest engagement.”
– Tania Pryputniewicz, author of The Fool In the Corn, Heart’s Compass Tarot, and November Butterfly