What Can I Do For You?
Ghostwriting / Copywriting Content Creation
If you dream of the ‘book’ that you just don’t have time to write, I can help. I recently completed a ghostwriting project with a well-renowned doctor using my skills to convert the dry facts about a ‘touchy subject’ into easily readable, humorous prose. Whether it’s non-fiction or fiction - whatever story you have to share let me support you in telling it.
Copywriting - as a child I read that literally! But, you don’t want your content to be a knock-off of someone else’s.
Your copy should uniquely showcase your talents, your products, and your services. It might be the same story but with a little imagination, we can tell it in a new way.
Together we can get that copy right! (Yes, it was an intended pun - sorry!)
With online and social media platforms now being the shop window, businesses and individuals alike are looking for content to keep their followers interested and engaged.
Where copywriting uses words, Content Creation is so much more. Images and video contribute to your online presence. Content must represent you and/or your business in a vibrant and accessible format. I can help you to create this vision.
Copyediting / Proofreading
Copyediting versus Proofreading - what’s the difference?
Copyediting is a hugely varied task. It entails checking for accuracy in reference works, maintaining style and layout in both fiction and non-fiction writing, ensuring ‘Jim’ doesn’t become ‘James’ later in the text - unless the difference is necessary, and, if so, that this distinction is continued throughout the project.
A copyeditor looks out for spelling and punctuation errors, the misuse of words, and ensures the narrative flows. They pick up anything that jars the reader and edit accordingly.
By contrast, a proofreader does not amend the text at all. They come in on the final draft to check for errors in spelling, punctuation and presentation. Their job is to make sure the text and layout are error-free and ready for publication.
All of the tasks outlined here are applicable to all written work. How many times have you been put off a supplier because their website has spelling or punctuation errors? I admit, I’m a pedant, but that’s just what you need if you want to avoid the glaring mistakes that can turn away readers or potential customers.
Writing Courses / Workshops Mentoring
Wherever you are on your dream path to being a fully fledged author, I can guide you towards your completed manuscript. Having published two novels, I know what a hard slog that can be.
I can’t promise you’ll be the latest Amazon phenomenon - it’s a crowded market out there - but I can help you to find ‘the Voice’ to tell your story, and to form your work into its best possible shape.
With the tools and support that I can provide, you could soon be producing those bestsellers with your name proudly emblazoned on their front cover.
Just remember me when you are taking a bow on that red carpet and accepting the statue at the Oscars!
Don’t forget authors don’t just write books. There are other markets in need of good writing too - short stories, audio plays, screenplays and writing for business…
Other Stuff!
I don’t just write books - I ‘keep’ them too!
No, I’m not referring to my full collection of Sir Terry Pratchett’s works or the overflowing Billy bookshelves in every room of the house. I am a qualified Bookkeeper and Accounting Technician with several years of experience in Cloud accounting software such as Xero (as a registered Xero Advisor). I represent small family-run businesses as their Company Secretary and have a wealth of administrative skills to support the ‘one-man-bands’ and SMEs that I have worked with over the years.
My offering of this service isn’t as random as it may seem. To be paid for your writing is to be running a business, whether profitable or not, so you will need to consider the financial and record-keeping responsibilities.
If you (as a business or an individual) could use some help setting up/running your accounting system, getting your office admin under control, or you just need some advice, please feel free to contact me.
Who Am I?
We all love to hear stories as children, don’t we? Well, I never want to stop hearing them, reading them or writing them. My love of books and storytelling was ignited during many happy evenings spent in our local library while my mother cleaned and polished the shelves, tables - and some books! - ready for the next day’s avid readers. It’s a shame that so many libraries have been lost to various budget cuts but the love of reading should never be a victim of those losses.
I was a late addition to our Yorkshire family and my elder siblings were already at school when I arrived. In many ways I was an only child but, as long as I had my storybook friends to keep me company, I wasn’t a lonely child. My schooling, unfortunately, did not nurture my creative tendencies and my writing aspirations were put on hold while I worked in finance and raised a family. Maybe this has given me a greater passion for encouraging writers of all ages and genres.
My own children will tell you I have such a vivid imagination that they’ve been startled in the night when I’ve been ‘chased’ into their room by some monster or other! Don’t worry I’ve since learnt to tame those dream-world monsters and can now direct them to tell my tales. This means I never seem to lack material for my writing. In fact, I don’t think I’ll live long enough to complete all the WIP I already have, never mind the new ideas that I come up with on a daily basis.
S M Stuart - Author of works including; Two of a Mind and Echoes of the Soul
Publications and Projects
Fred Bear says this is shameless shelf promotion!
Oh, lovely! A new book to read.
When you just can't wait ....
.. to get the the end of the chapter.
Looking forward to the sequel.
At last! The sequel to the 5* rated 'Two of a Mind'.
With new characters and and new twists to keep the pages turning ...
Mustn't give away the ending though ...
Somat t'keep thi entertained during t'winter chill
'Are my roots showing?' ;-)
Nowt like revisitin t'story and puttin' yer own mark on't!
Two of a Mind - Debut novel - was so exciting!
5* reviews - even more so!
... who was it said 'and there's more'? Ah yes, Jimmy Cricket!
And now Echoes of the Soul is available in paperback and eReader versions too!
So lovely to see that Echoes is also getting 5* reviews!
It's such a wonderful feeling - holding your work in your hands and not just seeing the words on a screen!
What people are saying…
Praise for Two of a Mind:
Powerful and terrifying twist on the highly popular dystopian genre. I truly enjoyed this.
by NetGalley reviewer
I've read hundreds of books, and this one blew me away. A totally unique concept, psych-twins, and a possible murderer hiding inside your mind. The twists and turns keep you reading! I definitely didn't want to put it down! The ending though.... What a cliff hanger! I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel.
by NetGalley reviewer
Really enjoyable read. Very well written futuristic whodunit. Addictive reading. Highly recommended Looking forward to the sequel.
by Carole Edwards
Fantastic read should be on top 20 list
*****
by Sue lab
Feedback from Dr A, a writing services client (including ghostwriting):
'“… how lovely it is to have worked with you.
Sarah is a very experienced, reliable, and conscientious copy-editor and proofreader who always delivers on my brief. She is a pleasure to work with, and her skilful writing has always exceeded my expectations. Sarah gets the job done on time to a high standard; she is phenomenal.”