The most costly mistake that an author may make is in completing his or her manuscript and then not realizing that it contains grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or word usage errors or that it has consistency, content, or plot issues. Literary agents receive thousands of queries each year, and most manuscripts go immediately into the slush pile. As an experienced and careful editor, I will work with you to create a polished, professional, marketable manuscript for submission to agents or for self-publication. I work with writers of both fiction and non-fiction and assist authors in taking their projects From Manuscript To Masterpiece. My greatest strength is in the particular attention I pay to the details as I edit your manuscript. In addition to editing for the aforementioned grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word usage problems, I am able to help you with the organization and the clarity of presentation of your material as well as the accuracy of the words you choose. I provide each of my clients with a personalized Author Letter upon the return of their manuscript. This Author Letter contains general tips and suggestions for better writing that an author may use now and in the future plus a wealth of information specific to the author's manuscript.    More About Paulette What I like most about editing: Every author I have ever worked with has a unique talent and a singular voice all their own. No two manuscripts are ever the same. My best advice to writers: Write what is in your heart. Whether you are writing a novel or your memoir, the reader will hear your authentic voice and feel the genuineness of your message. My favorite genres to edit: I do not have a favorite genre to edit because I like all kinds of books. But one thing I love about editing is that when I edit non-fiction, I get to learn something. When I edit fiction, I get to be entertained. Number of years I've been editing: I have been writing and editing for over 30 years. I have 14 years of experience drafting, proofreading, and editing documents for Colorado District Courts, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and the Colorado Supreme Court. I have been a contest judge for several writing contests for many years. I shifted my focus to book editing three and a half years ago because I very much wanted to help individual authors achieve their dreams of publication. Edit hard copy or on-screen: I prefer to edit using a hard copy. Computers are fabulous for writing a book, but the old-fashioned way of editing, with the pages in your hand, as they are in a book, for me is the best kind of fun. My "must have" writing reference books: The Elements Of Style. I also keep a thesaurus and a dictionary on hand at all times. Favorite background music when I edit: I have a wonderfully eclectic taste in music. But as much as I love music, I do not listen to music when I edit. I am better able to concentrate in a quiet environment. Scene outside the window where I edit: I edit in my living room where the morning sun shines bright and lovely into my home. The window looks out on my backyard and my beautiful tree arbor, and just beyond my backyard is the park. Favorite quotes: "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let each man step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." —Henry David Thoreau Memorable fictional character: Not only do I love books and reading, I love history. My two favorite books in the world are The Far Pavilions and Katherine, both of which are novels based on actual historical events. Ashton and Anjuli are the British army officer and the Indian princess in The Far Pavilions, and Katherine, a commoner, and John of Gaunt, the King's third son, are the memorable characters in Katherine. Most recent blog/website I bookmarked: Book View Cafe. I belong to the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers group, and interesting writing and publishing websites frequently come across the e-mail loop. I bookmark many websites, most of which have something to do with editing, reading, writing, or publishing. I also keep my fantasy football website bookmarked every football season. Currently reading: America's Game: The Epic Story Of How Pro Football Captured A Nation. As stated earlier, I love history and books. I also love sports. I am a strange blend of book worm and sports fanatic. As soon as I am done with this book, I am going to read The Far Pavilions again because I love it so much that I try to read it once every few years.