Laurie Rosin edited my manuscript and once it was completed, found me a top-notch New York agent within a week. He read my project within days of her sending it to Trident Media Group, and a few days after that, we had offers from two top New York publishers. I recommend Laurie’s services wholeheartedly.
--Dr. Lena C., Princeton, NJ
Q: Did you have any other help (before your book was published)?
A: The book was edited by Laurie Rosin, thebookeditor.com, a well-known editor with many works to her credit. She gave me a 40-page critique and the encouragement to see the book through. No one else had seen the manuscript, so I had no way of knowing how good, or bad, it was. Her professional and positive advice gave me the fuel I needed to press on.
www.TedMoss.com
I appreciate your advice, insights, and encouragement. The work
is going well and faster than I expected. I feel I am getting the
hang of it, and the more I practice, the easier it becomes.
--John, B., Harrisburg, PA
Again, I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the work you've
done for me, Laurie. As I explained earlier, I've heard so many
horror stories about editors/book doctors that I had some real
concerns about working with ANYBODY (Excuse the caps, I am learning!).
As I suspected, as in the profession I've been a part of, usually,
you get what you paid for. I've also observed that if you do your
homework, you can get an awful lot of value for your money. I know
I have here.
--Mike B., Bartlett, TN
Dear Laurie,
Thank you for sending your critique via e-mail. I have finished reading it (the first time around) and found it to be what I had hoped for. I'll follow your advice and lay it aside for a day or two, although I must say, your suggestions had my mind racing at the possibilities you presented. When I mean "racing" I thought of several possible solutions to a problem (at the time you were discussing it) and became excited at the work ahead!
Laurie, your critique was inspiring and very insightful. Reading it, I felt you were in the room and we were discussing my manuscript over coffee ( rings et al) with the pros and cons presented in a straightforward but gentle approach. Several times I laughed aloud as if we shared a private joke. I intend to re-work my manuscript and (as a lyric goes) "keep the best, do the rest."
Your words are motivating and I knew that you would be the right choice for me. You are the diva of editing!
I hope you have a very happy holiday and the new year brings you all good things.
--Best regards,
George Z., Buffalo, NY
SACRED SEDUCTION is the bestselling novel of Bisi Ojediran, a Nigerian novelist, playwright, and essayist. The novel is based on the adventures of Peter Abel, a 38-year-old Nigerian journalist who is always looking for breaking news for The Zodiac newspaper.
This novel is one the best adventure novels written by an African in Africa, and Bisi Ojediran has two of the best editors in the world editing his books before they are published: Sol Stein, who has also edited the works of James Baldwin, and his literary advisor is Laurie Rosin, editor of 36 US National Bestsellers. Therefore you can read his novels without the headaches of bad English and typographical errors.
www.Ukraine.com
I just received the package that is being sent out to literary agents and wanted to thank you for putting it together and, especially, for your letter of recommendation for my manuscript.
Once again I have to say that your work is extremely professional as well as impeccable, and I am so proud to have you backing me as my editor.
--Sibyl E., Boca Raton, FL
First let me say that I think you did a wonderful job critiquing
the manuscript. I've never read a critique so thorough and insightful.
It is certainly worth the money, and it's nice to have you on my
side. I've been going through the manuscript, making the changes
from your notes. I want to say how much I appreciate your extremely
detailed read. You're really picky. I mean, really really picky.
You're pickier than me, and I thought I was really picky. The changes
you suggest not only grammatical but changes related to the internal
logic of the story make the story that much stronger. You're really
good at what you do.
--Todd S., Oslo, Norway
My best description of Laurie is professional. She not only untangles
the semantics, but dramatically enhances the plot. My first three
novels were action/romance. I had already been through an editor
and three rewrites before Laurie got it. After her work, they are
measurably better (yes, you get what you pay for). She is known
by both agents and publishers, which is important in selling your
work.
Allow her eight to ten weeks for a complete edit. She truly enhances
a novel.
--Lon L., Seattle
I think Laurie is the best. She’s honest and will tell you
like it is. She’s good humored. She has great advice and suggestions.
If she recommends a change, she’ll tell you why. She will read
and work over your ms, then return it with detailed notes, easy
to follow.
She won’t promise you will be published, but my strong feeling
is that taking her advice is the best chance you’ll get.
If she thinks your work has potential, she will recommend an associate
who will represent you to agents and publishers.
I had some experience with other highly recommended book doctors
before I met Laurie. I was awfully disappointed in the poor advice
I had received from the first book doctor and totally pleased with
Laurie’s work.
You will not be disappointed with Laurie Rosin. She is everything
her ad says she is. A very nice lady. I guarantee you will not regret
having Laurie work on your manuscript.
--Bill W., Milford. OH
Have you ever used copper polish? It's a white paste. When you rub it on tarnished copper, the metal shines like it just came out of the kitchens at Versailles. I'm thinking you're literary copper polish. Wow. The shine to my manuscript is blinding.
--Nadine S., Las Vegas
I know Laurie Rosin. She is a great editor. She will have your project in fine shape. I suggest you craft a submission letter to agents that includes the fact you have worked with her on the editing, as many know Laurie's work.
--T. Myers, Pinole, CA
I can tell how unpretentious you are about your talent, but, believe me, the economic value of your skills is platinum.
--N. S., Reno, Nevada
I am delighted to say that through discipline, love of the game, and lack of distractions, I have self-edited my manuscript down from its pudgy 107,000 words to a slim, trim, healthy and happy 94,755 words. I followed your advice in how to identify what was essential and what was not. I gave the reader what he needed, and then I moved on. I am very happy with the outcome. The story is stronger and the pace improved.
--Ken L., Alexandria, VA
I sat down immediately and stayed up all night to read every word of your critique and page notes. You are without a doubt brilliant! I empathize with the difficulty of your job. I’m all too aware that being honest is not always well received, while at the same time kindness is not as useful as some like to think. In short thank you for your bravery as well as your talent.
I have no idea why I thought my book was finished. It’s all too clear to me now that there’s another level of organization I have not attended to. Thank you for laying it out so clearly. I’m confident your expertise was exactly what I needed to move forward in the right direction.
--M. B., Salem, Oregon
Hi, Laurie! You won't remember me, but we worked together on my book project in the late 90's. I put it aside but kept all your letters and the computer files updated and just last month pulled it out again to re-read.
My manuscript was SO bad!! Clearly your editing was the only thing that saved it, but I got a kick out my whiny, self-centered victim of a heroine ... ME, of course. You must have wanted to slap some sense into me ... uh, her, the whole time!
I wanted you to know that I used your wonderful guidance to improve my skills and actually went on to work in Marketing Communications for a few years, and then last year as a contract writer for the real estate industry.
And now I've started a new fiction project and am gleeful at how much better -- and how much more fun! my narrative has become. You really made a difference, thank you!
--Molly G., West Virginia
It was interesting, yesterday, I got to one page of my manuscript that was marked up
with lots of highlights, and I started to think "What is she trying to
say?" So I pondered and then proceeded to write a lengthy email. I
didn't have an Internet connection, so the email stayed idle in the
Out Box. Then later in the day I looked through your critique and
discovered that you had written the answer to my email inside the critique.
In fact it was a major part of the critique with the entire passage in
question written verbatim, nicely color coded, dissected, and
explained in detail with suggestions and examples. So for me it was
sort of a "wow" experience.
--Wilson C., Delaware
Dear Laurie,
After reading through the guidance you have provided me in this most recent edit it finally occurred to me that "editor" is a bit of a misnomer. You are my coach and collaborator. (Please read the Biography of Maxwell Perkins, editor of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Wolfe, etc., etc.) I do not want to send my manuscript on to an agent until it is tight and right throughout. This is exactly how a coach will hold a player out of the game until he is ready to compete at the necessary level. Just because I have worked hard on something and feel good about it doesn’t mean that it can’t be better. I trust your experience and instincts to know what’s best. I thought the new ending had all of the BOP WHAM POW that I could inject into the final chapters of the book. Yet, you see how it could really take off if I were to go back and make adjustments so that there are lots of unknowns hanging out there. Thank you so much.
--K.L., Virginia
I received your critique today. I have only scanned through your comments but can tell they are thorough and insightful. I look forward to digging in. I was able to absorb some areas that you felt needed much attention. I appreciate your candid remarks! That's why I hire the professionals. I have a thick skin and appreciate those who are put in the position of giving feedback to someone's creative expression.
--Jimi G., Richmond, VA
Laurie,
My novel Digger, Dogface, Brownjob, and Grunt has won two awards in the National Best Books 2009 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. The news made me cry.
This is so cool... worth more than gold.
