“I handed [Cristen] a mess, and [she] created structure and an actual, readable book.”
“Thank you for helping me in the most profoundly professional and inspired collaboration.”
“After 15+ years in publishing, I can say that Cristen sets the gold standard for freelance editing.”
“Cristen Iris is the embodiment of excellence, grace, and humility.”
“[Cristen] is a wonderfully precise thinker.”
“Outstandingly informative.”
This is a budget-friendly, choose-your-own-adventure option and a great opportunity to pick the brain of an award-winning developmental editor, book doctor, and ghostwriter.
I'll help you better understand the nuances of the publishing industry and determine which publishing models (traditional Big 5, traditional indie, hybrid/partner, assisted self-publishing, or DIY self-publishing) are most appealing to you all things considered.
We can go though the opening pages of your book and talk through its full arc, so I can offer feedback related to its structure and story or intellectual arc and more.
This is a popular option for first-time authors who just want a little coaching or who want to see what it's like to work with a professional editor.
Think of this as the light version of my book proposal analysis (see below).
If you've already written your nonfiction book proposal and sample chapters and want an editor whose clients are represented by literary agents and have contracts with traditional publishers to offer feedback for what will work for you and what may work against you, I offer this book proposal and sample chapters review service (up to 60 pages).
I will provide feedback in the form of a written overview of my thoughts and recommendations and more specific feedback in comment bubbles in your proposal.
This also includes a review of your query letter because the two documents work together in a pitch to agents and publishers.
1,200
Project Launch to Delivery: 1 week
If you've already written your nonfiction book proposal and sample chapters and want an editor whose clients are represented by literary agents and have contracts with traditional publishers to offer feedback for what will work for you and what may work against you, I offer this book proposal and sample chapter(s) review service.
In addition to written feedback, I provide custom video tutorials to help you develop a deeper understanding of the publishing industry and how to strengthen your proposal while preserving your vision and voice.
2,000
Project Launch to Delivery: 2 weeks
As your developmental editor, I review your complete manuscript and make revision recommendations based on my tried-and-true, 11-inspection-point methodology and knowledge of the book market to help you craft a commercially viable book.
Deliverables include:
Through the process, you gain a better understanding of the craft of writing and have a deeper understanding of the publishing industry and how to navigate it with confidence.
3,000-4,000
Rate based on word count, genre, and complexity.
Project Launch to Delivery: 1 month
Book doctoring is a cross between developmental editing and ghostwriting.
This is a good fit for the aspiring author who's written a manuscript that doesn't match their vision and who wants help bringing it up to the level it needs to be for publication.
I start with a full developmental edit. After we agree to revisions, I go to work rewriting the manuscript. You then review the new draft, and I make final revisions based on your feedback.
This service also includes publishing consulting to position you for success whether your preferred publishing model is traditional Big 5, traditional indie, or self-publishing.
15,000-22,000
Rate based on word count, genre, manuscript complexity, and whether you also need a book proposal. Project duration depends on word count, complexity, and other project-specific variables.
Ghostwriting and book collaboration are two publishing industry terms used to describe the same type of strategic relationship.
I specifically designed this multi-phase service for authors whose reputation and goals require them to produce a high-quality book.
As your ghostwriter/book collaborator, I develop a deep understanding of who you are, what you do, and who you serve. I keep your goals and ideal reader in mind as I organize and shape your ideas into a book that matches your vision and voice while clearly articulating your ideas.
44,000-58,000
Rate based on word count, genre, manuscript complexity, and whether you also need a book proposal. Project duration depends on word count, complexity, and other project-specific variables.
Please Note: I am currently engaged in a ghostwriting/book collaboration project. If you're willing and able to wait until approximately March of '23 to start, I'd love to talk to you to see if we're a good fit.
Can you help me find a literary agent or publisher? Yes. I see myself as a literary matchmaker. If I know an agent or acquisition editor who I think is a great fit for you and you for them, I will pitch your project directly to them. This is by no means a guarantee that I will pitch you to people in my network nor is it a guarantee that if I do they will be interested. The market is far more competitve than authors (and uninitiated editors and ghostwriters) imagine, and I respect the time and energy of the literary agents and publishers in my network. I do not trespass on their good will by pitching authors and projects that do not fit their stated requirements (author platform) and preferences (genres, topics, etc.).
Can you help me with marketing and promotion? Yes and no. A big part of any book proposal is the marketing plan section. We'll be discussing this from day 1. The execution of the plan is up to you.
If you ghostwrite/serve as my book collaborator, do you own the copyright? No. I'll be doing work for hire. You own your copyright.
Do you work on commission? No.
Do you still work on fiction? I am not accepting full-length manuscript reviews or developmental projects at this time. However, my current novelist (and some memoir) clients are finding great value in my 1.5-hour consultations. Several have booked follow-up sessions, which is sort of like book coaching without the long-term commitment and higher cost.
Do you offer straight hourly rate consulting? In addition to my hourly rate book proposal or doumentary film consulting, I offer a 1.5-hour stand-alone consultation for $250.
PLEASE NOTE: The services above reflect my current rates and ways of doing things. I reserve the right to change my rates, services, and processes as the market changes and I find more effective ways of getting results for my clients.
Narrative Nonfiction: human rights/equality; animal rights/veganism; evidence-based medicine/plant-based diet; epidemiology and medical anthropology; environmentalism/sustainability; film, television, pop culture; sports; science; technology; personal and professional development; legal; disability and neurodiversity
Academic-to-Trade Crossovers: anthropology, psychology, sociology, neurology
Memoir: celebrity and high impact, platform driven
Fiction: literary and upmarket
Documentary Film: See narrative nonfiction, academic-to-trade, and memoir lists above.
