Arresting ​Developmental/Copy Editing
and Marketing Advice:
Manuscript Maneuvers that Make Prose Pop



​To produce your best work, you don’t need coddling. A book coach can do that, as can your mom and friends. You need someone who isn’t afraid to point out the flaws—not of you as an author, but of what you’ve set down on the page. A clear eye and unfettered critique—with suggestions that you actually implement—can help you reach your goal of publication. Note, I did not guarantee your work would hook an agent or publisher. But what I can guarantee is that I’ll put 100% effort into improving your prose.

I don’t accept every client. For example, I would NOT be the right editor for science fiction, fantasy, poetry, song lyrics, or technical writing. As for other genres, send me your first 1,000 words and I’ll edit them for free. It will give me a chance to see if I can help you and give you a chance to see how I work. If I feel your writing needs help beyond what I can provide, I won’t accept the assignment.


​If we both agree we’re right for each other, here’s what happens next:
  • I’ll send you an agreement to be signed. I am also happy to sign a NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement, if you so choose but you must provide it.)
  • You send me a 50% deposit along with your manuscript formatted as follows:
    • Word Document
    • 12pt Times New Roman
    • Double-spaced
    • 1” margins
    • Black print on white background
    • No extra blank lines between paragraphs except in the case of scene changes
    • Single spaces after periods
    • I will not accept manuscripts that are not correctly formatted and deposits will be returned.
  • All revisions will be delivered as Track Changes in Word, plus you will receive an editorial letter summarizing suggestions.
  • I will give you an estimated date of completion in advance; it’s always subject to the number of manuscripts that precede the receipt of yours. I try to complete all work as promptly as possible. I know you’re eager to move forward.
  • The remaining 50% of payment is due upon delivery of the edited manuscript.
  • Payment can be by PayPal (as a friend), Venmo, Zelle, or check (or cash if you’re local). All payments are nonrefundable.

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Here is my Special Introductory Pricing, subject to change without notice:
  • Beta-Reading: $.003 word (general impressions, no editing. Example: $240 for an 80,000-word MS)
  • Copyediting & Line Edits: $.01 word (editing of phrasing, word choices, proofreading, grammar correction. Example: $800 for an 80,000-word MS)
  • Developmental Editing: $.02 word (all of copyediting/line edits plus extensive suggestions of how to revise and tighten the plot, characterization, pace, etc. Example: $1,600 for an 80,000-word MS)
  • Second Pass (if you want me to review and comment on the revisions you've made): $.01 word
  • Marketing Consultation via phone or Zoom with advice  on how to query, market, or self-publish your book. $50 an hour, one-hour minimum, paid in advance, non-refundable.
  • Synopsis and Blurb Writing: $300 each, $500 for both.
  • Ghostwriting, commercial writing (press releases, web content, sales letters, brochures) and other services: To be determined based on project.
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My Experience:
  • Developmental/Content/Acquisition Editor: Champagne Book Group
  • Freelance ghostwriter of biographies and thought-leader profiles for Story Savor.
  • Five fiction books (psychological thriller, romantic suspense, domestic suspense, sweet romance and dark romance) as D.M. Barr (see www.dmbarr.com). Winner of the Golden Flogger Award/Novella 2017 at the BDSM Writers Con under another pseudonym, and also various other awards from Readers Favorite, Global eBook Awards and more. Check out Saving Grace--A Psychological Thriller (over 1194 Amazon ratings/reviews!), Expired Listings, Murder Worth the Weight, The Queen of Second Chances, and Simple Tryst of Fate. Publishers have included Loose Id, Beachwalk Press (both now unfortunately defunct), Black Rose Writing, Level Best Books, Champagne Book Group, and Punctuated Publishing, my own label which publishes novels after  my books' rights reverted back from their original publishers.
  • One co-edited anthology (Justice for All: Murder New York Style 5) for Sisters in Crime/NY-Tristate as D.M. Barr. I have been elected to edit the next anthology, New York State of Crime, Murder New York Style 6, to be published in September of 2024.
  • One award-winning non-fiction book, written as Dawn M. Barclay,  released by Rowman and Littlefield in August 2022 titled, Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse. Starred review in Library Journal, Winner--Lowell Thomas Gold Award Winner (guidebooks) from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation; First Prize, Inspirational/Self Help category, Maxy Awards, Honorable Mention in ASJA's Arlene Awards (Books that Make a Difference). 
  • Over 30 years of corporate communications writing and editing, mostly in the travel trade. You can see examples at www.dawnbarclayink.com. My current column appears at www.insidertravelreport.com.
  • Past President of Hudson Valley Scribes, formerly Hudson Valley Romance Writers of America. I also provide judging and feedback for the Daphne Awards as well as the Hook, Line, and Sinker and the 25-4-25 contests and have judged contests for RWA National as well as regional contests.
  • Former Vice President, Current Board Member, Sisters in Crime, New York-Tristate.
  • Fomer Board Member, Mystery Writers of America (New York), in charge of writing chapter newsletter., Member, International Thriller Writers, ASJA, SATW, NYTWA, NJRW
  • Published Songs (www.broadjam.com/biggerinperson) : Gingerbread Houses, Oh Lacey, Random Acts of Kindness, Postcards from Shangri-La.




​Reviews from Authors I've Edited:

""Dawn Barclay is a professional, knowledgeable, and collaborative editor. She provided a thoughtful and thorough critique
of my full-length manuscript, as well as to a short story that later was cited as one of the year’s best in the 2022 Best Mystery and Suspense anthology. Rather than impose her own vision, Dawn helps writers achieve theirs, and she not only suggests
modifications but explains the reasoning behind those proposed changes. I highly recommend her.'' = Lori Robbins, award-winning author of the On Pointe Mystery Series.
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"I thought Dawn M. Barclay did a great job of cleaning up my writing. She was very responsive to my deadlines which was very important. I have already recommended her to one author and would definitely use her again," – Nina Wachsman, author of  The Gallery of Beauties, published by Level Best Books.


“Dawn M. Barclay (D.M. Barr) is one of my all-time favorite editors for two reasons: she’s all about making the work better, and she explains changes in terms a writer understands, because she is one. When I’m working with her, I know she’s going to be absolutely honest without being mean, and the final product will be as good as it can possibly be.” - Kathleen Marple Kalb  
Author of The Thanksgiving Ragamuffin in  Justice for All: Murder New York Style 5 and the Ella Shane and Vermont Radio Mystery series.
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It’s every writer’s dream to have an editor say their book is perfect and not a word needs to be changed. That, however, probably hasn’t happened since Gutenberg invented the press. So the next best thing to hear from an editor is an honest assessment of your book and how to improve it. I have been exceptionally lucky in finding and employing Dawn Barclay as an editor. She’s smart, she’s an excellent writer herself, and along with correcting small errors, she’ll tell you what to do make your work better. -Elf Ahearn, Dawn Barclay fan and author of  The Christmas Unicorn and A Rogue in Sheep's Clothing.
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Dawn's editing was both very useful and encouraging. Her honesty and practicality when it comes to edits left me feeling confident in the final product, and excited about the strength of my story. And on top of that, her responses were always prompt, and she's been nothing but kind and professional in dealing with my newbie questions! I would whole-heartedly recommend her editing services. - Elle Hartford, contributing author in Justice for All and other anthologies,
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Writers never stop learning, and working with Dawn Barclay made me a better writer. If you're serious about writing, she is a terrific choice as an editor. When she accepted my manuscript, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I couldn't be happier with the outcome. As to be expected from a professional edit, I received constructive criticism, not praise. She focused on what matters most: improving the manuscript to make it the best it could be, with direct, honest feedback. But sometimes the truth hurts, so check your ego at the door and pay attention, because she clearly wants to help you. Dawn's been in the writing business for a long time, and as Michael Corleone said, "It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." Her edits were straightforward and blunt, specifying the problematic areas and also explaining why they needed to be addressed. I highly recommend Dawn's editing services, and I would not hesitate to work with her again. - Joseph Campbell
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I had the pleasure of working with Dawn when she served as editor of the SINC anthology, Justice for All: Murder New York Style. Her knowledge of the genre, of grammar, and her attention to detail were impressive.  She identified story continuity issues and recommended better phrasing that made a huge difference in transforming my story. Most importantly she was respectful of my writing and made me feel like I had a partner in getting to the best final product. - Ellen Quint, co-author, The Fine Print of Retirement