MARK ORRIN

Writing Mentor
Book Doctor
Author (books, articles, corporate communications)

Click here for Sample Query Letter written by Mark Orrin.

Veteran writing mentor, senior editor, ms. "doctor," graduate school Teaching Fellow, Scholar- and Artist-in-Residence, author of 10 non-self-published books, also articles, corporate communications, poetry, songs.

Services: Mentorship; ms. critiques/evaluations; substantive edit/content development; synopsis, book proposal, query letter composition, review; ghosting; book line editing; help with "self-agenting" your own work.

Have mentored fiction, incl. sci-fi, fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, Westerns, mysteries, adolescent and children's markets, action-suspense; non-fiction including memoirs, inspirational, public issues, self-help.

30+ years mentoring writers. Best endorsements: my "kids" and "grandkids," who've published novels, non-fiction, songs, poetry (I'm a featured poet and a judge of international poetry contests at web sites like www.netpoetry.org and www.thehypertexts.com). A real mentor...

Knows how to spot and nurture talent. 1978, began mentoring J. when she was a college frosh; she's just dedicated third book to me: "for 22 years of nourishing this grateful art-beggar." Now she mentors writers, too (one mentoree just publ. poems in Atlantic Monthly).

Coaches writers through publishing games. '80, S.B. asked me, "How'd you get with Doubleday?" Told him; two months later, nailed his own contract; since publ. novels, screenplays, etc.

Knows when NOT to change your work. Read S.S.'s 18 flawless pp.; said, "Just add four words to end"; he since beefed idea into book, published 3/2001.

Knows when mentoring's done — and tells you. Started M. at 21; today he's 30, writing full-time (novels, articles, songs, etc.). Any "mentor" who demands to become your lifetime partner's not for real.

Am currently working with seven novelists (in Florida, Tennessee, Montana, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado) and helping two non-fiction authors shape and finish mss. Florida writer I helped with novel, synopsis, proposal/query had the ms. solicited by Doubleday editor; she later accepted a contract offer for her novel from a publisher outside the United States. S.W. now has several non-fee-paid agents bidding to represent his unfinished first novel — an extremely rare achievement. K.C., K.D. and J.R. have also secured agent representation for their first novels.

Mentor's writing/editing credits: Twelve published books (Doubleday, New Leaf Press, etc., all non self-published, some "for hire"), currently developing two non-fiction books as co-author. Most recently, Orrin's medical mystery-expose, The Chickenpox Vaccine: A New Epidemic of Disease and Corruption, was named a 2007 Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist and won a Mom's Choice Foundation 2008 Silver Award (in both cases, for Adult Non-Fiction). In 2008, one Orrin-mentored author's "Southern gothic" novel was released to stellar reviews by a major publisher; another author's (first) sci-fi novel was named a 2008 Amazon Breakthrough novel; still another Orrin-mentored author contracted with a rising on-line publisher. Orrin has published poetry, on and off-line, and served as a judge of international poetry contests. His personally authored work comprises "non-fiction novels" (twice Hollywood-optioned), inspirational-motivational, public affairs, all paid-for, to distribution of 2-3 million copies. Wrote just one project "on spec" in past 18 years. Have written countless articles, newsletters, fund raising packages (raised more than $1,500,000,000 for non-profit organizations – fund raising copy esp. can support your "serious" writing habits). Though no "celebrity" writer, he's earned high five figures writing for 23+ years. Scores of books, articles, newsletters, edited, copy-chiefed. As publications director, mentor-"daddy," and senior free-lance writer-editor, has found, fueled, and freed scores of successful authors.

In the past 24 months alone, I've helped mentor 15 authors' projects into royalty-paying (non-"subsidy") print (some pending in-negotiation publishing contracts), in the general book market).

Now live with wife, Joyce, in Nevada, to be near our five grown children and nearly a dozen grandkids. As my professional "kids" and "grandkids" know well: I love helping real talent find and fulfill its destiny. May I help you?

Mark has authored the brochue titled "Authors! How to Leap the Slush Pile to Non-Subsidy Print" and offers a free copy to each of his clients.

Book reviews by Mark Orrin:

Review of Jayne Pupek's Tomato Girl

Review of Cecil O. Kemp Jr.'s Better Way of Living

For more information about Mark Orrin, click here to read his self-interview

You, Nosferatu

Or, how to passively resist a vampire

By Nick Marco, 2009

Your wings shading me
scarce-twitched leatherly enough
to riffle the blood-drops
freshly congealing
on my lips and the white
thornless roses
you pillowed me on

I fixed my stare
on a moveless cloud
blanched in blue
beyond your feral eyes
so you'd believe mine
gazed glass-dead

I froze my heart
and breath so you
might think no life
remained in me
for you to want

but you weren't fooled
maybe slight heat some
face-pore of me exuded
drew your teeth's sensors
to my cheek and then into
that artery below my chin

only my last spurt
of will bittered your
final sluice-sip
while I lay still
in your absent hum
unflinching
as the swarm
of you
came
down

Feedback

"You gave me great feedback that helped me make my story better. Dante's Journey made the Short List for the 2010 Indie Lit Awards." – J. C. Marino, speculative fiction author

"Mark Orrin's evaluation of my ms has been extremely helpful to me and much needed. With his guidance and expertise, I feel much more confident in wrapping up my 'story.' It has been a pleasure to work with Mark, and I will continue to do so." – Bonnie Ward

"The Tulsa literary agent has begun to shop Beyond Self-Help. Florida-based Strang Communications (Chicken Soup for the Soul series) was one of his first two contacts. The Strang editor responded yesterday, indicating a readiness to negotiate the publishing rights to this book (which she called 'important') PLUS my previous, self-published books. Not saying they're the one, but they perhaps are a good litmus test." – C. K., inspirational author

"Extremely please with the work, helped me revamp several sections and the end product was a delight to read." – Gil Burgstede

"Any writer looking for guidance about breaking into print needs a professional mentor he or she can trust. Seventeen years ago, when I was a student in graduate school, I had the good fortune to find Mark Orrin, the favorite writing professor and best poet on campus. Today he is a full-time professional writers' mentor, and I am a retired literary agent, a national award-winning journalist, author of a best-selling book (Mornings with Fulton Sheen), and an adjunct college professor listed in Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 2000. Yet in all I do, I continue to use and pass on Mark's writing wisdom, including his emphasis on the importance of genuine words of encouragement, candid comments on style and insider tips on getting published, with or without an agent. Whether you are writing for love or money, I wish for you an Mark Orrin. He will help you reach for the stars because he believes that's what they're there for. And the day you make your first sale, you'll know the amazing taste of the stardust that right from the start he's urged you to seize." – Beverly Coney Heirich, author, ex-agent, journalist, educator

"With your help, I finished converting my 'Salat Days' from a poem (published by Lonzie's Fried Chicken magazine) into a short story subsequently published by Romantics Quarterly. Before the short story version of 'Salat Days' was published, it won Honorable Mention in Writers Digest's Personal Essay Contest, which was cool, because it's simultaneously the only short story and the only personal essay I've ever actually finished! Thanks so much for your wise counsel, and for the vivid touches you encouraged throughout." – Michael Burch, corporation CEO, poet, essayist, editor of www.thehypertexts.com (a premier Internet poetry forum)

"I'm thrilled to tell you that I've just been offered a wonderfully 'legit' publishing deal from a small, well-established Canadian publisher... My re-titled Faith in a Fishbowl should be in print within a few months. Congrats on another mentoring success!" – Jerry Rose, inspirational book author

"Received a book contract today... I am still a bit too shocked to believe it! Also, I wanted to thank you for the suggestions you gave pertaining to the book. Although at first I felt a little 'protective' (euphemism J) and only wanted to hear 'good' things, when I looked at your comments objectively I saw the great merit in them. I referred to your comments many times in my re-editing process and each time found them very helpful. Thanks!" – Jessica Whittemore, author, even in Darcey

"Writers' egos, I'm finding out, are very fragile. You have a way about you that's very soothing on my fragile ego; while you teach and correct the work, you never forget the writer, and that's a gift. I know you've helped me through a lot, and I will tell you honestly: Without your guidance, friendship and patience, I would still be writing only for myself; I'd never have had the guts to take it this far." – Petra Ruck, fantasy novelist

"Last month I contacted (on your recommendation) my favorite best-selling author via e-mail to ask if she'd mind forwarding information about her agent to me. She didn't mind, and her agent requested a sample of my work, liked it very much, and now wants to see the full manuscript. Exciting stuff. You should know, too, that part of the sample I sent him was the first chapter, rewritten per your suggestions. (You're brilliant!) I'll keep you posted." – Kathryn Cruise, author, Self Care Advisor [Ms. Cruise has since secured agent representation for her historical novel]

"Thanks for all your hard work editing the book and 'coaching' me; you helped polish this material from a piece of coal to a precious stone." – Grant Trevithick, author, Quantum Spirituality

"Sacred Seduction has been released to rave reviews, and I am very happy. Your bracketed comments especially [on the ms.-in-progress] were particularly interesting and helpful. And I could see that you didn't change my 'voice' in your editing." – Bisi J. Ojediran, novelist, Director, Shell Oil Communications, Nigeria

"A very special thanks to my mentor, Mark Orrin, for not only his passionate editorial input, but also for his steadfast personal love and care." – Joy Sawyer, author, The Art of the Soul, Dancing to the Heartbeat of Redemption, poet

"If you hadn't called me... back in '91, who knows what turns my life might have taken? Different and far less exciting, that's for sure. Thanks for being such a faithful friend and mentor. I appreciate you immensely." – Mark Olsen, novelist, essayist, scriptwriter

"Throughout our work and rework on my manuscript, Mark Orrin was encouraging and kind, and he never made me feel like the rookie I am (was). He never left me feeling like he knew more about the publishing industry than I did — he just continued to teach me in an incredibly thoughtful and gentle way, fine-tuning my work and imploring me to be the best I could be. I told him last week: Even if I never get published, I'll still feel that the money I spent to work with Mr. Orrin was money well spent. I want all to know that I had a wonderful experience throughout the road Mr. Orrin and I traveled together. I'll certainly call upon him for my next project. [And later]... I have been aggressively contacting agencies and publishers and need some advice. At the moment there are ten agencies and two publishers who have responded favorably to my query (which you taught me how to write, I might add) about my novel, The Hole to China. If one or more of these responders happen to be interested enough to ask me to contract with them, how should I handle this?" – Gary Kaschak, author

"You've excelled yourself; the query/proposal is brilliant. Mark, I am so glad that I picked you. You have shown amazing expertise, in re-ordering my words to make more sense of them, and in showing such empathy for what I'm trying to achieve. I don't know how to thank you for all your hard work, and I hope this is not the end of our business relationship." – Mim McKew, Australian memoirist

"Thank you for your masterful work [on a controversial 'non-fiction novel' project]. Hope you are as pleased with the finished product as we are." – Robert Davies, senior editor, author

"I've finally secured representation for Sublime. My agent took my mini-proposal to a conference recently, and the editors of five houses asked to see the full proposal... Keep your fingers crossed." – John Riggs, Ph.D., author-educator

"The network immediately provided me with several quality editors to select from. The most difficult part was making a selection amongst this impressive group. Nick (the editor I eventually worked with) provided a detailed and honest assessment of my first manuscript. His comments were insightful and while he made clear my novel needed significant work, he was also supportive and made sure to let me know what was working within the story. Based on his comments, I am confident I have gained feedback that will improve the manuscript significantly and move it toward a finer piece of fiction." (Contact information on request)

Submission

Cut and paste the questions and answers into an e-mail:

EditMyBook@Gmail.com

Alternates
2012@Book-Editing.com
Help2012@Airmail.net
Contact@Editing-Writing.com

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)

(06) Level of editing desired/expected --

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.)

To learn more about the rates charged by professional editors, please see: Editorial Freelancers Association

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.

LIVE AGENT

Note: Questions about price and turnaround times cannot be given over the phone or via chat.
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 (M-F, 9a-7p central). Expect longer response times if you submitted after U.S. business hours or on weekends.

You may also send your submission to our alternate e-mail addresses if you do not receive a response within three hours M-F:

Help2012 at Airmail.net
editingnetwork at gmail.com
contact at editing-writing.com

You may also leave voice mail for the network coordinator: 469-789-3030. This number is for verification of e-mail submissions only.

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 editor or publishing consultant, not with the editing network as a whole or its coordinator.