ONE ON ONE MANUSCRIPT CONSULTS:

• First: I carefully read your material.
• Second: I make comments , edits, and suggestions on your manuscript.
  (My preferred method is using MS Word's "Track Changes" feature.)
• Third: We discuss.

Macro Feedback includes what I see as your:

• Vision  for the material.
• Major areas of conflict.
• Overall characterization.
• Plot: pacing & ordering.

Micro Feedback Includes:

• Areas to & suggestions how to:
  • Sharpen conflict.
  • Effectively use place, atmosphere, setting.
  • Opportunities to deepen characterization with:
    • Dialogue. 
    • Concreteness of detail.
    • Precision of emotion.

The comments on your manuscript outline the discussion.

Our conversation is focused to achieve two things at once: 

• Address specific issues within the story, chapter, or excerpt. 
• Give you an improved comprehension of craft applicable to ALL of your work.

COACHING:

I can help you:

• Articulate writing goals.
• Devise realistic & practical plans to achieve goals.
• Set and keep deadlines.
• Formulate strategies for slow periods or blocks.

For all clients, I offer:

• Tailored reading suggestions, including: essays on craft, relevant/model short stories, novels, and narrative non fiction.  
• My experience with various writers markets.

MFA/MA GRADUATE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS:

Having served on the admissions committee for the MA and MFA programs at San Francisco State, I have a good idea of what makes an application and fiction sample stand out from the rest.

Graduate programs have become so competitive, that working with a private coach might give you a competitive edge.

I've completed an MFA program, been accepted to others, and have read hundreds of graduate school applications.

HOW I CAN HELP:

• Help you decide where to apply.
• Share my Experience as an MFA/MA student and teacher.
• Read a body of your work.
• Suggest a particular short story or an excerpt to use for your writing sample (based on where you're applying and their requirements).

Once a sample is selected, I can work with you as described above.

WHAT I CANNOT DO:

• Guarantee that you'll get published, find an agent, get a book deal, or that you'll get into a MA or MFA program (though many of my clients have).
• Give you an extra “in” at SF State
  (I have never and will never evaluate a manuscript for admissions that I've worked with professionally).