Streaking For Mother is now available on KDP Select
Random musings from an English writer slogging through the trenches of traditional and self-publishing. Following my attempts to eke a living through creative writing, graphic design, whilst writing the kind of novels I like to read.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Book Illustration
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Paperback Cover for Createspace and 3D books for Advertisement
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Editing - Proofreading - Writing Services
Editing - Proofread - Basic Copy Edit - Line Edit / Heavy Copy Edit - Developmental or Substantive Edit - Writing Services
I work with any genre. I have experience with novels, short fiction, non-fiction, scripts, academic writing, articles, and plays. Here is a breakdown of the different levels of editing. I can perform a single service or a combination.
Proofread: The lightest form of editing, typically completed on the proof of the finished product. I read the manuscript and note errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage. This is the final stage of editing to ensure the manuscript is as polished as possible before publication or submission to an agency.
Basic Copy Edit: I thoroughly scour your manuscript for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax. I will attend to issues like subject/verb agreement and word usage (that vs. which / horde vs. hoard), clarity, flow, and style consistency (e.g., comma usage throughout). Awkward wording will be noted, and I will also flag style choices that authors may not be aware of, but are important in making your manuscript consistent with publishing standards (titles in italics vs. quotes, capitalization of titles and brand names, numerals vs. spelling out numbers, headings, Latin abbreviations, quotations, dialogue format, etc.). Minimum rewriting is suggested.
Line Edit / Heavy Copy Edit: Encompasses the same tasks as copy editing, but also consists of rewriting/recasting lines that need help. The focus will be on technical grammar and punctuation, as well as a more in-depth edit noting wordiness, repetition, awkward phrasing, convoluted sentence structure, ambiguous descriptions, and overuse of passive voice. Inconsistent plot details or facts will be flagged; are character names spelled correctly throughout? Is your secondary character blond in one chapter, but brunet in another? Line editing deals more with clarity, flow, and style, along with basic copy editing. The two are closely related.
Developmental or Substantive Edit: This is the most in-depth form of editing, and looks at the “big picture”–the overall content, structure, and style of your manuscript. I provide not only a critique of content issues, but guidance and suggestions of how to go about improving the manuscript. This type of assessment deals specifically with the art of storytelling.
Rather than focusing on the technical aspects of the written language, I offer creative suggestions to improve upon the story in any and all areas such as plot, character development, dialogue, description, exposition, point of view, timeline, style, and narrative voice. With this type of edit, I edit in-line and provide numerous margin comments for each chapter, as well as an overall report. How can the voice of a character be made to sound more authentic? How could a scene be made funnier, or more dramatic? How can the author develop a story in the most appealing way and create the biggest impact on the reader? Substantive editing addresses all of these things. A good editor takes into account the genre and style of each unique work, and avoids imposing her own voice on the story.
Writing
Holly M. Kothe
The Espresso Editor
The Espresso Editor
Editing
I work with any genre. I have experience with novels, short fiction, non-fiction, scripts, academic writing, articles, and plays. Here is a breakdown of the different levels of editing. I can perform a single service or a combination.
Proofread: The lightest form of editing, typically completed on the proof of the finished product. I read the manuscript and note errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage. This is the final stage of editing to ensure the manuscript is as polished as possible before publication or submission to an agency.
Basic Copy Edit: I thoroughly scour your manuscript for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax. I will attend to issues like subject/verb agreement and word usage (that vs. which / horde vs. hoard), clarity, flow, and style consistency (e.g., comma usage throughout). Awkward wording will be noted, and I will also flag style choices that authors may not be aware of, but are important in making your manuscript consistent with publishing standards (titles in italics vs. quotes, capitalization of titles and brand names, numerals vs. spelling out numbers, headings, Latin abbreviations, quotations, dialogue format, etc.). Minimum rewriting is suggested.
Line Edit / Heavy Copy Edit: Encompasses the same tasks as copy editing, but also consists of rewriting/recasting lines that need help. The focus will be on technical grammar and punctuation, as well as a more in-depth edit noting wordiness, repetition, awkward phrasing, convoluted sentence structure, ambiguous descriptions, and overuse of passive voice. Inconsistent plot details or facts will be flagged; are character names spelled correctly throughout? Is your secondary character blond in one chapter, but brunet in another? Line editing deals more with clarity, flow, and style, along with basic copy editing. The two are closely related.
Developmental or Substantive Edit: This is the most in-depth form of editing, and looks at the “big picture”–the overall content, structure, and style of your manuscript. I provide not only a critique of content issues, but guidance and suggestions of how to go about improving the manuscript. This type of assessment deals specifically with the art of storytelling.
Rather than focusing on the technical aspects of the written language, I offer creative suggestions to improve upon the story in any and all areas such as plot, character development, dialogue, description, exposition, point of view, timeline, style, and narrative voice. With this type of edit, I edit in-line and provide numerous margin comments for each chapter, as well as an overall report. How can the voice of a character be made to sound more authentic? How could a scene be made funnier, or more dramatic? How can the author develop a story in the most appealing way and create the biggest impact on the reader? Substantive editing addresses all of these things. A good editor takes into account the genre and style of each unique work, and avoids imposing her own voice on the story.
The Order of Editing
Typically, a developmental edit would be
performed in one pass, with rewrites then made by the author, followed
by a copy edit, and a final proof read.
Writing
I am an experienced writer of both fiction
and non-fiction. My writing services include, but are not limited to,
articles, blog posts, fiction, ghostwriting, author bios,
advertisements, social media promotions, reviews, story blurbs, and
synopses.
Writing Samples
A Little Literary (a Lotta Coffee)
– My writer’s blog includes writing guidance and reviews, as well as
links to publications I have contributed to including Writer’s Digest,
Blood Lotus Journal, Blue Cygnus International Magazine, Dark Gothic
Resurrected, Writer’s Beat Quarterly, Trembles Magazine, Lost City
Review, and The Write Room Literary Journal.
A Positive Outlook – Print newspaper article
Sweet Violent Femmes - Available on Amazon and in bookstores
Randy R. Fabert’s Psycho Killer - Film synopsis
Sex and Horror–The Classic Pair - Erzabet’s Enchantments Book Blog
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Sunday, March 8, 2015
My Original Art For Sale
My original art is now for sale on EBAY including Nudes and Book Cover Artwork Low prices and auctions - posted anywhere in the world.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/shearman15
http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/shearman15
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Book Release Banner - Advertising - Press Release
What I offer: • You will receive a
reliable, professional and responsive service including excellent
communication.
Press Release Banners - Marketing Material
for Social Media - Advertising for Blogs
You Can Add:
Book Cover - 3D Cover - Release Date - Free
Days - Promotions - Available from these Retailers - Taglines - Book Blurb -
Reviews - Discounts - Whatever you want!
• I will deliver the first proof of your work
within 1 working day.
• Make as many alterations as you wish at
no extra until you are happy with the final result.
• When you have approved the final version
you will receive a file at 300dpi and your required size.
★ contact me about your specific
requirements ★
Examples:
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
How to Make Wine Cork Candles
Wax Cork Candles to Light up That Romantic Dinner
Working
with wax, and mixing in pigments to create encaustic art, and decorating
hurricane candles, led me to think of other ways to use leftover bits
of wax candle, so this is how to make cork effect candles to place in
the top of an empty wine bottle.
My goal, was to keep in the realms of crafting, using things that are normally found in the home or you would make an inexpensive purchase like PVA glue, student oils, and masking or wide adhesive tape.
My goal, was to keep in the realms of crafting, using things that are normally found in the home or you would make an inexpensive purchase like PVA glue, student oils, and masking or wide adhesive tape.
Paint over using oil based paint as this takes time to dry.
Use a pencil or pen to write what you want on the cork or draw a motif - Everything should be in reverse.
Mark a line on the outside so you have 4" when flat this will give an overlap and a 1 inch diameter tube.
Corks have lines around them, one close to the top and the other higher
to allow for the bottom to be cut away to fit in the bottle top.
Glue the outside edge and overlap using the previously marked line.
Use adhesive tape to hold the tube in position while the glue dries.Tape up the tube
Tape up the bottom of the tube – this needs to seal the tube so the
strongest tape is best or you could use additional cardboard cut to
shape.Heat old wax or crumble a cheap Candle
Add a small amount of oil paint to colour.
Using muffin tins or tuna tins anything metal. Put the wax in enough to fill three quarters of the tin Place on a hot plate to melt.
Oil paint or wax crayon is added to create the colour of the cork. Oil gets the best consistency and you only need a small amount as shown here.
Mix in and stair until the wax is melted. As soon as the was is liquid remove from the hot plate ready to pour.
Make a wick from thin rope and dip it into the wax.
Lay out the wick to dry this I cut into three afterwards.
Alternative to a hot plate is, place the metal container with wax in it into a bowl and pour hot boiling water around it to heat it up, this may need to be done a few times.
Pour in the wax using grips or pliers
Place the tube in a plastic container and support.As the wax is cooling but still liquid pour in the wax to the top of the tube.
You can pour a small amount in and see if it leaks if it does let it cool – reheat the wax in the metal container then pour again as now it should be sealed.
Top up the tube
As the wax hardens it will shrink so reheat the wax left in the container and pour to the top.Insert the wick into a cut out piece of cardboard so you can center the wick.
Alternative make a hole with a tooth pick before you top them up and insert the wick.
Let cool and then you can place in the fridge to harden – optional.
Film Cartridge
I also use film cartridges (if you can find them) I still use
cardboard so I can use the transfer method of the markings and writing.The writing can be added afterwards and when you remove the coverings any imperfections can be tidied up using a knife.
The bottom of the candle will also need cutting back to fit inside the wine bottle.
Finished cork effect Candles
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