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all about our

services

The Standards

critiques

Manuscript critiques are a great option for writers with an early draft or an almost-finished draft that hasn’t gotten traction with agents. The editorial letter is usually 15-20 pages, and it includes about 200 chapter-by-chapter notes at the end to aid with scene-specific revisions.

line edits

Line editing includes a deep line edit, margin notes, and a 15- to 20-page critique. We help your voice find the sweet spot between passion and precision without losing what makes it yours. (Also called substantive editing, or on Reedsy, developmental editing. Confusing, I know.)

 

standout edit

The Standout Edit evaluates your query letter, synopsis, and first 50 pages with an industry insider’s eye and helps your materials stand out from the slush pile, vastly improving your chances with agents and residencies.

consulting

General consulting time on query letters, synopses, short stories, and other materials costs $80 per hour. Most query letters and synopses take about two hours to review and polish.

No hidden fees. Projects may be custom-quoted based on the manuscript’s needs. Contact us to tell us more about your writing.

 

Or learn about the four stages of editing here.

 

Extras

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New author?

The EFA’s free, short guide explains the process of finding and working with the perfect editor.

Download PDF
 

Testimonials

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Testimonials

“Sarah’s editorial talent extends beyond the intellect into the imaginative/intuitive realm. She guided me through changes in structure that brought my hybrid biography/memoir to the next level—the level of completion. Her professionalism is imbued with genuine respect and warm support.”

Lois Eustis Tate (Wayne Ngan, Island Potter: A Portrait by a Friend, www.loiseustistate.com)

“Sarah Cypher is one of the most intuitively gifted editors of fiction I've encountered.”

Jane McCafferty (repped by Aragi Inc.)

“There are editors and then there's Sarah. Her input is like rocket fuel. She's good at everything. Big stuff and small. Structural issues and poignant character beats. All of it.”

C. E. Tobisman (repped by Sanford J. Greenburger Assoc.)

“Sarah's suggestions were very specific and made so much sense. She really has a rare gift--I've never worked with a more competent, imaginative editor before.”

Karan Bajaj (repped by Levine Greenberg Literary Agency)

"I've been diligently re-writing using Amelia Beamer’s edit letter and finding it truly invaluable to have these editorial notes and comments as a guide; it has really helped me see the manuscript with fresh eyes, and I'm grateful for the work The Threepenny Editor put in."

William Morassutti, Editor and Marketing Executive

“The Threepenny Editor was one of the best investments I've made. Thank you for helping me bring my novel up to a higher level. You are amazing!”

Rob Hopper (repped by AEI International)

Sarah's editing was a gift. Her ability to see through my second language catapulted a few colorful stories into a bona fide memoir. She was relentless and professional, her attention to detail exquisite, her understanding of worlds not her own impressive. Sarah will turn the most delicate and precious memories into literature.

Myriam Lopez, “I Only Lied a Little”

I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to Sarah and team for the outstanding job they did on my novel. THE MAN FROM LAGOS has been very well received. I couldn't have done it without you all.

Bayo Fasinro, “The Man from Lagos”

“Sarah is an amazingly gifted editor. She immediately focused on what my manuscript needed and taught me how to improve my writing. I strongly recommend her.”

Kathleen Walker (repped by the MacGregor Agency)

“With Sarah, the editorial communication process I had was insightful, professional, supportive, and respectful--good training for the road ahead.”

Chris Rice (repped by Victoria Sanders & Assoc. Agency)

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 The Threepenny Editor is a proud and active member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and abides by its Code of Fair Practice, the gold standard for independent book editors. Our rates fall within common professional rate standards.