If you feel your novel is ready for an edit, I'm happy to oblige. But I strongly urge most novelists to study and apply what you learn from these books before getting an edit done, whether it's from me or not. Your book will be much better, and tighter, and may even cost less to edit. It will still need an objective, professional eye, but a pro will be able to lift it even higher.

I apply techniques from these books to my own writing, and improve with every draft. Disclosure: I will earn a few cents if you purchase a book using these links, so I'd appreciate it if you would do that, coming back to this page if you want to buy more than one. But whether you get them from the library or buy them, you owe it to the hard work you've already done to check them out.

 

The basics, but well-covered, and sprinkled with examples that help make the guidance meaningful. The best discussion of point of view I've come across. More about this book.

 

Don't be mislead by the word "editing" in the title. The authors give excellent instruction in the craft of making your narrative come alive and work its hardest. More about this book.

 

Superior, can't-do-without-it guidance by a hugely succcessful publisher, editor, author and playwright. Listen to this man. More about this book.

 

More from Stein. Some redundancy with "On Writing," but directed at the beginning novelist. More about this book.