Janice Phelps Williams: Book Design and Editing, Illustration

"I'm back from the wilds of Africa and just getting through the stacks of correspondence. But I wanted to thank you very much for your work on my book. ... I welcomed the revisions you did make and your attention to detail. That was helpful. Let's hope it all now spirals into a wonderfully-received book." –Jillian Robinson, Footsteps Adventures, Author of Travel That Can Change Lives ™: Inspiring Tales and Tips for Richer, Fuller and More Adventurous Living

As most people realize, editors cope with huge amounts of written material, manuscripts, and correspondence regarding current and pending projects. I work with clients in a variety of time zones. Therefore, I prefer email contact, initially. Please e-mail me about your project.

I believe professional editors, particularly those involved in developmental editing, each bring their unique perspective and expertise to a project; and do so without changing the author's style. A great editor enhances the writer's work so that it sounds like him or her at her best, whether that style is conversational, formal, businesslike, clipped, humorous, or beautifully descriptive. I've worked with all styles of writers and feel comfortable working on most manuscripts, particularly fiction, young adult fiction, childrens, pets, and consumer health.

Clients now have the added advantage of the input of Mark V. Williams, who is available to review your manuscript (email me for fees)and who also, when the subject warrants it, co-edits manuscripts with me. Mark has a Masters in Education with a focus in history, and his interest and familiarity with the work of non-US novelists is a huge asset to new authors. Mark is a reviewer for Foreword's Clarion Reviews, a poet and a blogger. He also brings many years of experience in the food industry to his reviews and can provide helpful input for authors writing cookbooks.

My sister, Joan E. Phelps, offers many years of experience in business writing, speech writing and other professional communication. She has an MBA and was a speechwriter for top executives at a Fortune 100 company. Joan took an early retirement and is available to either assist or expertly edit, on her own, authors' manuscripts of a business nature. If I think Joan would be better suited to editing your project, I will refer you to her services and bid only on the design portion of your project.

Joan also offers professional INDEXING services, and we can mesh our services very well to produce your book in a timely, smooth fashion. She offers traditional indexing by hand and, if I have designed the layout for your book, she can edit using the software in QuarkXpress. To communicate with Joan regarding Indexing, please email her at this address.

Note: We also work with authors on manuscripts prior to submission to literary agents or publishers and on manuscripts scheduled for self-publishing.

For a list of clients, click here.

BFA

Janice was the developmental editor of "The Land of Curiosities" a Ben Franklin Award Finalist for 2008 (written by Deanna Neil and published by The Ecoseekers

Janice was the developmental editor and interior designer on "When Life Blows You Down" — winner of the 2004 Ben Franklin Award for Best New Voice Nonfiction

Janice was the cover and interior designer on "Winter in Kandahar" — 2004 Ben Franklin Award Finalist for Best New Voice Fiction.

Janice was the developmental editor on "Estate Planning Success for Pennsylvania Residents" — winner of the 2003 Ben Franklin Award for Best Professional Technical Book.

Janice was the developmental editor on the book "This Child of Mine: A Therapist's Journey," a Ben Franklin finalist (best new nonfiction) and a finalist in the Robert F. Kennedy Book Awards.

Janice was proofreader on "Snakewalkers," which has garnered many awards and finalist positions: LA Black Book Expo (fiction); IPPY Awards

Janice was proofreader on "Tears and Tales" by Russell Vassallo, which was a finalist in the USA Best Book Awards.

Janice was project manager on "Challenge Cancer and Win" which won an honorable mention in the Writer's Digest Self-Published book Awards.

Janice was editor of "How to Help Children Overcome Fear in a Medical Setting" which was a Best Books Award finalist.