Whether working with the Cosmopolitan magazine Bedside Astrologer on a humor book, co-authoring a memoir on the Scott Peterson murder case, or mentoring a first-time mystery writer, Bonnie Hill loves working with authors. When editing your work, her goal is not to change for the sake of change, but to make you sound more like *you* -- without leaving editorial fingerprints.
Writer-friendly
A newspaper/magazine editor for 22 years as well as a national conference speaker and contest judge, Bonnie is a writer-friendly editor/mentor who has helped numerous authors break into print and published writers reach the next stage of their careers. In the private writers' workshop she leads in Fresno, California, her workshop members have won awards (such as the Hackney Literary Prize for fiction, New York University's Goldenberg Award for Fiction, Dark Oak Award for a first mystery and first prize in contests at the SouthWest Writers and Yosemite Writers conferences) and sold everything from novels to nonfiction books, essays and cowboy poetry to top publishers such as Woman's Day, Cosmopolitan, Writer's Digest, Story Line Press, Santa Monica Press, and Simon & Schuster.
Top publication credits
A former newspaper editor and magazine columnist, Bonnie has written six international thrillers for MIRA. Her titles include: Killer Body, a thriller set in the weight-loss industry, a Cosmopolitan magazine “pick”; Intern, called "a page-turner" by Publishers Weekly; Double Exposure a political thriller, and a series of three mass-market paperback newspaper thrillers published in 2006.
She has co-authored books on a wide range of topics, from true crime, to cancer, to the Scott Peterson murder trial, to the power of body language.
In 2010, her young adult Star Crossed series was launched with three books (ARIES RISING, TAURUS EYES, GEMINI NIGHT).
A matter of focus
Bonnie feels that most writers don't lack talent—they lack focus. And she believes character, especially internal conflict, is the key to creating marketable fiction. “The good have flaws, and the bad have reasons.” She also believes that whatever the genre, fiction provides closure in the way real life doesn't always do. She reads widely and enjoys teaching and editing writers in all genres, especially writers who are passionate about their work. "Passion," she says, "is the one ingredient you can't edit in later."
Submission materials: Book proposals and, query letters
Developmental Editing / Rewriting
High-profile ghostwriting
Critiques / Evaluations
Mentoring
Book Proposals / Synopses
Feedback
"Bonnie Hearn
Hill has been my editor
for almost 10 years.
During that time she has
edited book proposals,
non-fiction and fiction
manuscripts, and
numerous articles for
me. Her editorial skills
are superior and she's
one of the most sought
after writing
instructors in the
country. She is one of
those rare individuals
who gives 100% to each
of her students and
clients. She's is truly
dedicated to helping
writers succeed.
I can't
recommend Bonnie highly
enough, and I'm sure
you'll hear the same
thing from any of her
clients." —Hazel Dixon-Cooper,
author of: Born on a Rotten Day and Love on a Rotten Day,
Simon & Schuster, and
the Cosmopolitan magazine Bedside
Astrologer column.
"The Slacker's Guide to US History was just purchased by Adams Media. We are so excited to be taking this step on our quest to become authors! Don and I wanted to thank you SOOOOO much for your help and advice on this project." —J. Mueller
"The network was responsive and helpful. Bonnie was fabulous. Her comments and edits were invaluable, and her mentorship and friendship are irreplaceable. Would definitely work with her again, and plan to do so soon." —(Contact info on request)
"I don’t think I could have found another editor ANYWHERE, as professional, responsive, knowledgeable, and personable as Bonnie." (Contact information on request)
"The information/bios for independent editors/evaluators on the web site was very helpful. I felt I could get a sense of the style and experience of the various consultants. All of the three potential consultants I chose initially, answered immediately and were available for follow-up until I was able to choose the best fit. It was easy and fast. Bonnie not only promptly answered my email, but also called once I expressed interest, to discuss her services, what exactly I was looking for, and my expectations for the result. She was clear about her subjectivity and what she would provide (and NOT provide) and when. It was clear by our conversation, (and by our on-going interaction and her involvement in various forums) that she actually enjoys helping writers. I selected her because of her enthusiasm, her background and experience, the fact that she is a many-times published author, and because it seemed not a “job” but her vocation. I am extremely pleased with that choice. Bonnie exceeded my expectations. Her feedback on my manuscript evaluation was thorough, constructive and positive related to changes that could improve the work. I didn’t feel she was telling me what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear. Yet, she provided 'hope' and encouragement to invest the additional time to work on the manuscript. Bonnie provided very detailed feedback on a portion of the writing that served as an example for me to sift through the rest, looking for similar improvement opportunities. She also provided a comprehensive evaluation at a higher level, that assessed strengths and weaknesses and provided suggestions for improvements. Since this was my first manuscript, I felt I could no longer be objective about whether it was worth pursing or not. Bonnie gave me clear feedback that helped me decide. And, bonus! She is a DELIGHT to work with. I will pursue her services again, and would highly recommend her as an knowledgeable, honest and constructive teacher/evaluator." Kimber Rau
"I could tell from our initial phone conversation after she'd read the first few chapters, that she was already caring about the story and the writing. She informed me that I had the ability to write the book proposal myself. The task seemed daunting, but under her leadership, I worked hard to prove her right. Not only did Bonnie give of her literary expertise, she gave her time—making herself assessable any hour of the day or night. At one point, I had the opportunity to attend a pitch slam in New York. Sixty-six agents and two editors would be represented. Bonnie asked that I send her the names. Then helped me choose the agents ... to speak to. ... When I told her that all six had invited me to send them my proposal, Bonnie's reaction was like that of a best buddy—she was thrilled for me. At one point, I'd realized I wanted to add more material to the chapters. I sent it to Bonnie. She approved and included in her edits, and when she returned the final edit, I was delighted. Other than some necessary restructuring and removal of extra lines—I have a tendency to overwrite—all the chapters as well as the proposal were kept in my own words. I highly recommend Bonnie to every author who is looking for 'hand holding' and special care." —Fran Mann
Submission
Cut and paste the questions and answers into an e-mail:
You may send your initial submission to all addresses to make sure it's received.
Required:
Submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript (Word/DOC or RTF
attachment preferred). Large files
should be zipped. Attachment not required if writing has not started
(e.g., because you're looking for a ghostwriter).
A sample is required to receive an estimate
for editing services
Along with a sample, the following information is required. Ignore questions that do not apply to your
project (e.g., footnotes).
(01) Word count of complete project (under "Tools" in MS Word):
(02) Put your 100-word (approx) synopsis/description here (or attach):
(03) Describe your genre and topic (e.g., nonfiction/self-help, science fiction,
horror, romance, mystery, Western, young adult, children, poetry, Christian, creative nonfiction, literary):
(04) Deadline date, if any, for return of complete project. (Please be realistic. Remember that professional editors usually have a project in process.):
(05) If you have no immediate deadline, when do you want to start the editing process?: (For instance: within 30 days, within 60 days, within 90 days, 4-12 months)
Copyediting / Proofreading / Line Editing (e.g., English corrections, typos, paragraph and sentence structure, word use)
Developmental (e.g., help with the big picture, such as flow/pacing, telling the story, characterization, structure, style)
Rewriting / Ghostwriting
Critique / Evaluation
(07) Number of charts/tables/pictures (if any):
(08) Writing style/format manual (e.g., Chicago Manual, APA, MLA), if applicable:
(09) Number of footnotes/references:
(10) Do you have a contract with an agent or publisher?:
(11) Do you plan to self-publish?:
(12) What is your budget for the entire project?
$ ________________
(Note: The editors will quote their regular rates, but having an idea of your budget allows the editors to tell you what services they can provide to stay within that budget.)
(13) Your name:
(14) E-mail addresses:
(15) Day/evening phone numbers (required -- in case the response to your e-mail bounces or the editors need clarification
regarding the scope of service needed, deadline, etc.):
(16) City, State, Country (or time zone):
(17) The name(s) of the editor(s)/writer(s) you'd like to contact.
(If no names are selected, your e-mail will be sent to several consultants chosen by the coordinator):
(18) Do you want the coordinator to reroute your submission if you requested editors/writers who (a) are not available by your deadline date, (b) do not handle the type of material you submitted, and/or (c) do not perform the service(s) you want?
(19) How did you learn about our service?:
(20) Attach the first 50 pages of your manuscript (include prologue/preface, proposal, query)
Notes:
No hidden charges
We won't quote you one price and charge you another. When possible, we'll provide you with a per-word or per-page rate so you'll know up front exactly
how much your project will cost. (Of course, we ask that you fairly represent the scope of your project.)
It is a mistaken notion that freelance editors work "on spec" (speculation) with no payment to the editor. It is basically asking the editor to work for free. There's no guarantee that a book will see a profit (or even be published). The editors posted here do not work on spec.
Note: Price quotes and time estimates for individual editors cannot be given over the phone or via chat. This is a network of freelance editors with varying prices and work schedules (see our FAQ). To obtain a price quote please follow the procedures listed on our quotes page.
Contact live support if you do not receive a response within three hours. It is possible that your submission was not received. You may also page the network coordinator by leaving voicemail or sending a fax to 469-789-3030.
Please be as complete as
possible in representing your project's scope and size so you will receive
the most accurate estimate.
Disclaimer: Your agreement, whether oral or written, is with your freelance editor / proofreader / writer, not with the freelance network as a whole or its coordinator.