Book Manuscript Editing
Still defining your book concept or struggling to organize material you’ve already written? Blue Pencil Consulting can help you turn your idea into a book that matches your goals and vision. We can act as a “manuscript midwife” to help you write that book and get it out into the world.
We help authors with book manuscripts. Services include developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading and ghostwriting, for both nonfiction and fiction. When you polish your book manuscript until it shines, you’ll impress your readers, whether you have a publishing contract or have chosen to self-publish. Contact us to find out how we can help you.
Manuscript Critiques
Need a fresh perspective? We provide manuscript critiques that offer thorough read-throughs of your manuscript to look at structure, pacing, and content — in short, an assessment of what’s working, what isn’t, and how to improve it. We’ll assess your draft’s strengths and weaknesses, offer guidance on improvement, and provide sample edits to guide your own revisions.
Book Manuscript Editing & Development clients include:
Taxi to America: A Greek Orphan’s Adoption Journey by Stella Nahatis (forthcoming, 2023)
Back to the Boat and Beyond: True Stories from the Attic (Vol. 1) by Mary-Louise Alberta Kearney McComas (forthcoming, 2023)
Evidence-Based Inclusion: It’s Time to Focus on the Right Needle by Dr. Lauran Star (LS Publishing, 2022)
Herding Smart Cats: Project Management Reimagined by Suzanne S. Davenport (Smart Projex Inc., 2022)
Field Notes on Letting Go and Field Notes on Letting Go: A Pondering Workbook by Janet Howard (forthcoming, 2023)
The Pragmatic Optimist: 6 Proven Strategies for Leading During a Crisis by Dr. Daniel Monehin (Seventy9 West Books, 2022)
Accountants! Go Narrow: Turn the Power of Industry Specialization into Profit for Your Firm by Alice Lerman (Jomase Publishers, 2022)
A Handbook for Hard Times: Dealing with a Tough Diagnosis Early in Life by B. Drew (Schroon River Books, 2022)
The Workplace Curiosity Manifesto: How Curiosity Helps Individuals and Workspaces Thrive in Transformational Times, Stefaan van Hooydonk (New Degree Press, 2022)
A One-Legged Stool: How Shareholder Primacy Has Broken Business (and What We Can Do About It), Ed Chambliss (Best Friend Brands, 2022)
The Cash-Flow Breakfast Club: A Story and a Manual, Omni Casey and Chara Casey (New Leaf Redevelopers, 2022)
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.: How Nonprofits and For Profit Sector Companies Can Blend Principles and Profits, Maryann Fleming (2022)
Revoyage of the Mayflower: Societal Values – Conservation’s Driving Force, Herbert A. Raffaele (2022)
More than a Degree: How to Get the Most Out of College, Samson Sembeba (2021)
Digital Tidiness: Retraining your digital mindset to fully unlock the potential of your digital spaces, Kara Johnson (2021)
A Gift from the Wise Men: Change Your Thinking and Make a Difference, Vince Young (Pittsgrove Publishing, 2021)
The Employment Law Manual for New York Employers, Emina Poricanin, Esq. (2021)
Hostage Terror: Ralf Traugott and the Hijacking of Flight 847, Mark C. Bodanza (North Hill Press, 2021)
Mystical Partnership: Extraordinary Experiences of an Ordinary Life, Deborah Evans Hogan (Amethyst Light Ministry, 2021)
Where Is My Tech Stuff? The Computer Doctor’s Prescription for Keeping All Your Passwords in One Place, Ronald Elkin (2021)
The Okinawa in Me: Finally Finding My Ikigai (Reason for Being), Martha R.A. Fields (OKI ME, LLC, 2021)
The Unspoken Journey: A Survivor’s Guide to Navigating Trauma, Alyssa N. Stout (2021)
Uncle Gary’s Business Foundations: A Beginner’s Guide to Personal Preparedness, Gary D. Urban (Urban Partners Inc., 2021)
Shadows of Dog Island Light, Book 3 in The Bike Cop series, James H. K. Bruner (The Proverbial Lawyer Publications, 2020)
Busting Breast Cancer: Five Simple Steps to Keeping Breast Cancer Out of Your Body, Susan Wadia-Ells (Busting Breast Cancer, 2020)
The Tiniest Owl, Paul Laud (Onion River Press, 2020)
Managing a Special Needs Trust: A Guide for Trustees (2020 edition), Barbara D. Jackins, Esq., Richard S. Blank, Esq., and Ken W. Shulman, Esq. (disAbilities Press Books, LLC)
Content Marketing and SEO for Law Firms, John D. McDougall (Intera Press, 2019)
Risk Takers and History Makers: The Story of Leominster, Mark C. Bodanza (North Hill Press, forthcoming 2019)
The Concept’s Edge: Mentoring Our Prophetic Aspirations, Michael Shenkman (Sandia Heights Media, forthcoming, 2019).
The Docks, Joanne Carota (Neptune Books, 2019)
Son Over the Yardarm, Book 2 in The Bike Cop series, James H. K. Bruner (The Proverbial Lawyer Publications, 2019)
Hilda’s Story: New Bedford, Massachusetts, Book 1 in Before Today: Reminiscing and Connecting: An Interactive Read Aloud Series for Grownups, Siobhan McDonald (Granger Street Studios, 2019)
Ignition: A Professional Woman’s Guide to Energized, Burnout-Proof Living, Chris Vasiliadis (Moment One Publishing, 2019)
The Hilco Story: Discovering a Diamond in Our Own Backyard, Art Hilsinger (2018)
A Century of Cures: Dr. J.C. Ayer & Company, Lowell, MA., USA, A Reference Guide by Cliff & Linda Hoyt (Lowell Historical Society, 2018)
Bye-Bye, Computer Guy! How to Do IT Yourself, Do It Better, and Save Lots of Money, Mark Beckley (Bits and Bytes Publishing, 2018)
A Life Rebuilt: The Remarkable Transformation of a War Orphan, Sylvia Ruth Gutmann (Epigraph Publishing, 2018)
Nantaska: The Minnow & the Whale: The Curious Parallel Lives of Nantucket and Alaska, Crocker Snow Jr. (Snow Publishing, 2018)
How to Reduce Your Chronic Pain: A New Model to Help You Restore Hope, Dr. George Beilin (Dr. Painless Publishing, 2018)
Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey: How Patterns, Archetypes and Style Inform a Narrative, 2nd Edition. Albert Halstead (Leonine Productions, LLC, 2018)
Lou D’Allesandro, Lion of the New Hampshire Senate: Thoughts for Presidential Hopefuls, Mark C. Bodanza (North Hill Press, 2018)
An Extremely Dangerous Piece of Lint: A Collection of Humorous and Thought-Provoking Essays (And a Few Pathetic Poems), Jeri Kroll (Blue Boat Books, 2018)
Breaking Money Silence: How to Shatter Money Taboos, Talk More Openly about Finances, and Live a Richer Life, Kathleen Burns Kingsbury (Praeger, 2017)
Legal Planning for Special Needs in Massachusetts, Barbara Jackins (disAbilities Books Press, LLC, 2017)
a man wearing a dress, Glenn C. Koenig (Message Rain, 2017)
Spatial Sense Makes Math Sense: How Parents Can Help Their Children Learn Both, Catheryne Draper (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2017)
How the Math Gets Done: Why Parents Don’t Need to Worry About New vs. Old Math, Catheryne Draper (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2017)
User-Friendly Math for Parents: Learning and Understanding the Language of Numbers Is Key, Catheryne Draper (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, May 2017)
The Right Time is Right Now: 6 Questions to Help You Let Go of the Excuses and Change Your Life Today, Julie McGrath (The Joy Source, LLC, March 2017)
“What a Hell of a Way to Make a Living,”, Chris Nahatis (“Mr. Saladmaster”) (2017)
Winning the Math Homework Challenge: Insights for Parents to See Math Differently, Catheryne Draper (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2016)
Deconstructing Conflict: Understanding Family Business, Shared Wealth and Power, Doug Baumoel and Blair Trippe (Continuity Media, 2016)
The Great Game of Business: Investing to Win – Innovation, Entrepreneurs and Winning Strategies, Robert T. Lutts (Cabot Wealth Management, 2016)
In the Shadow of Light, Claire Alemian (Wild Cat Press, 2016)
The Compass Approach: Successfully Charting Your Business Via the Compass, John W. King II (Headway Strategies Consulting, 2016)
Female Erasure: What You Need to Know About Gender Politics’ War on Women, the Female Sex and Human Rights, Ruth Barrett, Anthology Editor (forthcoming, Tidal Time Publishing, 2016)
Rivals: More About the Fitchburg-Leominster Football Tradition, Mark C. Bodanza (North Hill Press, forthcoming, 2016)
Leominster Chronicles: Tales from the Comb City, Mark C. Bodanza (North Hill Press, 2016)
The Chemistry of Strategy: Strategic Planning for the Not-Yet-Fortune 500, John W. Myrna (Global Professional Publishing, Spring 2014) *
Into the Open: Mentoring Mystic Aspirations, Michael H. Shenkman, PhD, (Audacious Leaders, 2015)
Waking Up White — And Finding Myself in the Story of Race, Debby Irving (Elephant Room Press, 2014)
Web Marketing On All Cylinders: Kick-Start Your Online Presence, John McDougall (Intera Press, 2013)
The Joy of Getting It Done, Linda King (Linwal Press, 2013)
Joy-Worthy: A Mother’s Guide to More Joy, Less Stress and No Guilt, Julie McGrath (The Joy Source, 2012)
The Education of a White Parent: Wrestling with Race and Opportunity in the Boston Public Schools, Susan Naimark (Levellers Press, 2012)
Powerhouse: Creating the Exceptional Workplace, Nancy R. Mobley (Westport Press, 2012) *
You and Your Partner, Inc.: Entrepreneurial Couples Succeeding in Business, Life & Love, Miriam Hawley and Jeffery McIntyre (Enlignment Press, 2012) *
Lucky By Design: Navigate Your Path to Success, Beth Goldstein (Dog Ear Publishing, 2011)
We Are Here, Jane Smith Bernhardt (Burnham Press, 2010)
EM = C2: A New Formula for Enrollment Management by John Maguire and Lawrence Butler, Maguire Associates (Trafford Publishing, September 2008) *
Simple Solutions: How “Enterprise Project Management” Supported Harvard Pilgrim Health Care’s Journey from Near Collapse to Number 1 by Lisa DiTullio (iUniverse, 2007) *
Entrepreneurs Inside: Accelerating Business Growth with Corporate Entrepreneurs by Susan Foley (Xlibris, 2007) *
Lead with Your Heart: Sell Happiness and You and Your Business Will Flourish by Lew Green (HRD Press, 2008) *
Fly Fit: How to Travel and Stay Agile by Maggie Melanson (HRD Press, 2007) *
Passion for Reality by Michael Yogg (Xlibris) – Selected by Riskbook.com for the Best of 2007 Book Awards – Top Ten Finance Books *
Manifesting Magnificence by Andrew Lutts (iUniverse, 2008)
Work on several in-progress fiction manuscripts has included editing a synopsis of a fantasy novel, and providing manuscript critiques.
Other book manuscript editing projects in process.
* Project done with Emerson Consulting Group.