Arresting ​Developmental/Copy Editing/Book Coaching
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 you actually implement—can help you reach your goal of publication. Note, I cannot guarantee your work would hook an agent or publisher. No editor can. 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.



 ​

                                              2025-2026 Pricing

  • Beta-Reading: $.003 word (general impressions, no editing. Example: $240 for an 80,000-word MS.)
 
  • Copyediting & Line Edits: I have found it's very difficult for me to just do line edits for a manuscript because I see where the errors lie and I end up doing a full developmental edit. Therefore, I rarely offer copywriting and line edits on their own. If I do, the price is .02 word.
​
  • Developmental Editing: $.025 word (copyediting/line edits plus extensive suggestions of how to revise and tighten the plot, characterization, pace, etc. Example: $2,000 for an 80,000-word MS.)
​
  • Second Pass/Final Proof (if you want me to review and comment on the revisions you've made): $.01 word to read the entire manuscript again.
​
  • Book coaching:  $300 per month. Really meant for those who need handholding, encouragement, and accountability throughout the whole writing process in order to become a better writer and produce a more saleable product. You will receive up to two hours of coaching from me each week, which includes reading and critiquing up to 2,500 words for that week and email support. It can also include post-editing help for querying and writing query letters and synopses. This requires a three-month initial commitment, paid in advance. To ensure you get the help you need, I only take on up to five coaching clients at any time. 
​
  • 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.
​
  • Synopsis and Blurb Writing: $300 each, $500 for both.
​
  • Book Trailers (one minute and under): $75.​
​
  • Personal Histories and Memoirs: $100 per hour (figure 6 hours to transcribe and write for every hour of interviewing; 10 hours of interviewing = $6,000 for interviewing, transcription, writing and production, including layout, cover art, and layout for  paperback or hardcover product,)
 
  • Ghostwriting, commercial writing (press releases, web content, sales letters, brochures) and other services: To be determined based on project. Please note: I only offer ghostwriting for non-fiction projects.

Note: All payments are nonrefundable. Larger projects, such as developmental edits and ghostwriting or large corporate projects, are charged in thirds. 
​​

Experience:


  • Freelance Developmental/Copy Editor, Down & Out Books. Books edited include It's Not Even Past by Anna Scotti, Political Alliances by G. Miki Hayden, Winter of Discontent by Jim Winters, Like-Minded Individuals by Beau Johnson, and Collecting Spirits by Renee Valois. (All of these are likely out of print while authors find new publishers, now that Down & Out Books went out of business.)​​

  • Developmental/Content/Acquisition Editor: Champagne Book Group. Books edited include Whiskey on Our Shoes by Tonya Preece.
​​​
  • Freelance ghostwriter of biographies and thought-leader profiles for Story Savor.
​​
  • Six highly rated (and some award-winning) fiction books (psychological thriller, romantic suspense, domestic suspense, sweet romance, and dark romance). written as D.M. Barr (see www.dmbarr.com). Five of the six were originally traditionally published through small publishers, and then, when rights reverted, I republished under my own imprint, Punctuated Publishing.
  • Six crime fiction anthologies, featuring some of the leading authors in the field. One of these, Better Off Dead: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Volume One, was published by Down & Out Books, who were going to publish another 5-6 anthologies, but then went out of business. I am currently seeking a new publisher for these already-compiled anthologies​
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​
  • Two co-edited anthologies (Justice for All: Murder New York Style 5 and New York State of Crime: Murder New York Style 6) for Sisters in Crime/NY-Tristate as D.M. Barr. (Note: New York State of Crime was published with Down & Out Books, which went out of business, so it is currently not available, but we are seeking a new publisher.)
 
  • 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). 
​
  • Published by Level Best Books: The first  volume of a multi-volume series titled, Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover's Travel Guide. Volume Two will come out in January, 2026 and Volume Three, in October, 2026.

Plus...

- Over 30 years of corporate communications writing and editing, mostly in the travel trade. You can see examples at www.dawnbarclayink.com. My most recent columns have appeared at www.insidertravelreport.com.
​
- Past President of Hudson Valley Scribes, formerly Hudson Valley Romance Writers of America. I have also provided judging and feedback for the Daphne Awards, as well as the Hook, Line, and Sinker Awards and the 25-4-25 contest, and have judged contests for RWA National, the Short Mystery Fiction Society (the Derringer Awards), and regional contests.​
​
- Member, Short Mystery Fiction Society
​
- Former Vice President, Current Board Member, Sisters in Crime, New York-Tristate.
​​
- Former Board Member, Mystery Writers of America (New York), in charge of writing chapter newsletter. Former member ASJA, Current Member of International Thriller Writers, SATW, NYTWA, and a few other SinC chapters.
​​
- Published Songs (www.broadjam.com/biggerinperson): Gingerbread Houses, Oh Lacey, Random Acts of Kindness, Postcards from Shangri-La.

​

​Reviews from Authors I've Edited:


"You've been one of the most efficient and effective editors I've had the pleasure of working with. Your comments have been to the point, well-chosen, and accurate. You're a consummate pro at what you do. - Gerald Elias, acclaimed author of short stories and novels, such as Murder at the Royal Albert.


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.
​

"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, Agatha-nominated author of  The Gallery of Beauties series, 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.

​
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 to make your work better. -Elf Ahearn, Dawn Barclay fan and author of  The Christmas Unicorn and A Rogue in Sheep's Clothing.


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 wholeheartedly recommend her editing services. - Elle Hartford, contributing author in Justice for All and other anthologies.

​
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
​

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