BOOK BOOSTER: Mini Developmental Review

What people are saying about the Book Booster mini developmental review…

“Belinda’s coaching helped my manuscript and writing improve by approximately one million per cent. It is a whole new me as I work through the rest of my manuscript applying what she taught me. Working with her was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I wish I had done it sooner. She was patient, thoughtful, considered and very insightful. It was a wonderful experience.” — Michelle Winter, fiction writer

“Belinda is a fantastic editor and coach. She easily spotted my style flaws and gave me tips and encouragement, and my writing is so much stronger for it. I’ve since signed her up for a full edit and I won’t regret it!” — Steven Thiele, fantasy writer

The Book Booster is a mini developmental review (MDR).

It examines a section of your manuscript and some other materials, listed below.

It is a way to get the kind of expert manuscript development that normally costs many thousands of dollars — for a fraction of the price.

Do you know how to tell whether your book is ready for self-publishing, or worth submitting to literary agents?

Or are there issues you are struggling to resolve in your manuscript, and you’ve run out of solutions or confidence?

Do you wonder if the book is any good?

  • Get clarity and confidence.
  • Find solutions to vexing manuscript problems.
  • Release and empower the wonderful writer you want to be, even though right now you might doubt yourself.

Who is it for?

Authors of…

  • Fiction (novels)
  • Non-fiction, including self-help and how-to, and especially the inspirational types of non-fiction.
  • Memoir, especially inspirational memoir.
  • Other types of books – use the form below to ask if this package would be useful for you.

In these situations…

  • If you have been polishing a manuscript for some time and aren’t sure how to tell when it’s finished, this package can show specific steps you can take to confidently type The End.
  • If you have reached an impasse with a manuscript full of awkward problems, this package can get you unstuck, and help you find solutions that work for you and protect your vision for the book.
  • If you long to be a better writer, this package will help you recognise your strengths and release your own compelling authorial voice. It’s not about Rules or being correct (although we can do that too!). It’s about being you.

The Book Booster can be done on complete or partial manuscripts, but is probably of most use if you have at least 60-70% of your book written, and can prepare a meaningful synopsis even if some final elements are still up for grabs.

How do I tell if it’s right for me?

  1. Are you committed to your manuscript?
  2. Are you ready and open to learn, think creatively, and work hard?

Yes?

If so, you could be a good candidate. Use the contact form below to find out more.

Many of our writers have been getting the kind of manuscript value that comes from a developmental edit worth thousands of dollars – for a fraction of the price.

Why is the Book Booster so popular?

The Book Booster MDR is a popular and effective package because it gives you maximum manuscript value for the dollars spent.

  • It is an affordable way to get highly targeted feedback from a developmental editor with 20 years experience — for little more than the cost of a single coaching session.
  • It shows you lots of possibilities, clearly, within your own text, not someone else’s.
  • A section of your manuscript is vigorously edited, but with plenty of detailed explanations and suggestions for other options.
  • You can adapt the techniques across your whole manuscript, and future manuscripts. Learn how to continuously improve your own writing.
  • It’s like a mini writing course created for just one person — you! — showing you how to develop your strengths and combat your challenges.

Belinda says: “I’m excited by the results people are getting from the Book Booster package. When they take what I show them from a section of their book and apply the principles across the whole manuscript, amazing things happen. Yes, they have to put the work in. But when they do, they get practical and useful results without spending the thousands of dollars it would cost for a full developmental review.”

What to prepare:

FICTION

  1. The first 30 pages* (7500 words) of your manuscript in one continuous Word document. Use Times New Roman 12 pt, generous margins (3cm or 1.2 inches), and double line spacing.
  2. A synopsis (summary) of the plot, including the major events of your book, maximum 1 x single-spaced page (A4 or US letter size). Include spoilers. This page can be hard to write, but it’s worth the effort. It starts the developmental process. It doesn’t need to be beautiful prose. Bullet points will do.
  3. 1 single-spaced page (A4 or US letter size), listing the main characters in your book and their key characteristics.
  4. One sentence or paragraph that defines what you hope to achieve with your book. Become famous? Change the world? Leave a legacy? Go on – write it down! Pondering this question and condensing it to a brief statement will help you as well as Belinda.

MEMOIR

  1. The first 30 pages* (7500 words) of your manuscript in one continuous Word document. Use Times New Roman 12 pt, generous margins (3cm or 1.2 inches), and double line spacing.
  2. A synopsis (summary) of the major events of your book, maximum 1 x single-spaced page (A4 or US letter size). Include spoilers. This page can be hard to write, but it’s worth the effort. It starts the developmental process. It doesn’t need to be beautiful prose. Bullet points will do.
  3. 1 single-spaced page (A4 or US letter size), listing the main people in your book and their key characteristics.
  4. One sentence or paragraph that defines what you hope to achieve with your book. Become famous? Change the world? Leave a legacy? Go on – write it down! Pondering this question and condensing it to a brief statement will help you as well as Belinda.

NON-FICTION

  1. The first 30 pages* (7500 words) of your manuscript in one continuous Word document. Use Times New Roman 12 pt, generous margins (3cm or 1.2 inches), and double line spacing.
  2. An overview of the chapters of your book. Condense this onto one single-spaced page, but try to provide some detail of what is in each chapter, and what the goal is for each chapter – what do you want to happen for the reader as they read this chapter?
  3. 1 single-spaced page (A4 or US letter size), explaining what has motivated you to write this book, and what background and experience you have in the topic. Have you previously published any books? If you have a blog or website based on this topic, please include a link so that I can take a look.
  4. One sentence or paragraph that defines what you hope to achieve with your book. Become famous? Change the world? Leave a legacy? Go on – write it down! Pondering this question and condensing it to a brief statement will help you as well as Belinda.

… * Word count is most important here. So if your layout is leading to more or less than 30 pages, stick with 7500 words.

What you’ll receive

Belinda will read and reflect carefully on your first 30 pages (7500 words) and other information you supply (listed above). You will receive:

A 2–3 page developmental report for bringing the very best out of your book. This will contain details of your strengths as well as the possibilities for improving your book. You will receive practical, encouraging suggestions, not just a heap of criticism.

A Coaching Edit of your first 5 pages (1250 words). Using Word’s Track Changes function, you will receive explanations of the changes made, and comments and suggestions for how to improve not just these crucial pages, but your writing as a whole. Belinda will also flag issues of style or technique that might be persistent ‘tics’ for you, so that you will be able to neutralise them in the rest of your manuscript.

A 45–60 minute private coaching session. After you’ve had a chance to read and think about the feedback, you will meet with Belinda via phone or Skype. She will be honest and transparent about what she has seen, but will encourage and empower you to understand and achieve the potential for your book and yourself as a writer. (NOTE: some writers hate the idea of talking on video, and that’s OK. This session is OPTIONAL. You can omit it altogether if you just want to read your report and think about it yourself, or you can ask your questions via email if you find it more comfortable.)

Your investment

Developmental Report $380
Coaching Edit $320
Initial Coaching Session $350

$1050

You pay only: $480 

You pay only a little more than an initial coaching session, and yet you receive so much more!

Many of our writers have been getting from this package the kind of manuscript value that normally only comes with full developmental edits worth many thousands of dollars.

For convenience and consistency, fees are charged in US dollars for anyone outside Australia.

Your coach

Belinda Pollard is an award-winning Australian author, accredited book editor, publishing consultant, speaker and blogger. She has degrees in Communication and Theology, and twenty years’ experience in the publishing world, working with both traditional publishers and self-publishers. She is a professional member of the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd).

Her editing portfolio includes books that have won or been shortlisted for significant awards and been translated into other languages. Some have become niche bestsellers and remained continuously in print for decades.

She has more than 10,000 Twitter followers, many thousands of visitors per month to her blog at smallbluedog.com, and receives Australian and international publishing and speaking invitations as a result of her advocacy for writers and editors.

As an author, Belinda writes the Wild Crimes mystery-thriller series, humorous memoir, and resources for writers. Her writing has won multiple prizes, including a Varuna Fellowship.

REFER TO BELINDA’S BOOK COACHING PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW COACHING WORKS.

As seen…

Testimonials

“(Belinda’s) suggestions for content and structural enhancements such as plot and character development are intuitive, spot-on, and jaw-dropping good. Belinda’s guidance has made me a more skilled and capable writer.”  Molly Greene, bestselling Gen Delacourt mystery series

“I had been going around in circles with the book I wanted/needed to write. The coaching appointments turned out to be a relatively small financial investment that gave me the keys to deliver my book. For me, getting a book coach enabled my book to emerge.” Jane Milburn, ABC Australia journalist, eco entrepreneur, and founder of textilebeat.com

“I really connected with Belinda as soon as I received my first email from her.  She was so approachable and honest with her feedback. I have a lot more clarity and reassurance that I have a story to tell, and a writing style suitable to telling it.” Hanny Allston, athlete and emerging memoir author

“Working with Belinda felt very special. She really cared. She took the time to get into my head.” Sophie Cayeux, Mauritius Migrants women’s fiction series

“Belinda works through your concept and makes appropriate suggestions that not only improve the writing but improve the concept to make it much more marketable.” Wesley Leake, The Forgiveness Tool

“I just love Belinda’s warm and gentle coaching style. Her experience as a publishing consultant and as a published author gave me the confidence to self-publish.” Tanya Arnold, Pupcakes: Honour the Divine Dog

Enquire now

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