Every Artist Needs a Muse
Whether you have a book that needs editing or an idea that just needs a little inspiration to become the story you know it can be, we’ve got you covered. Our comprehensive editing services, story consulting, ghostwriting, and new author publishing packages are provided by an Indie urban fantasy, romantasy, and contemporary romance author and editor with over a decade of experience doing it all herself, so you don’t have to. Check out the services we offer below. For specific questions or to book a service or consultation, please contact us at storymuse@dylanquinn.com.
Meet the Muse... Gwen/Dylan Quinn
Resident Story Muse, æthereal Studios
I’ve been telling stories in one medium or another for as far back as I can remember. Raised by a strong single mom, I dreamed of escaping the tiny town we’d moved to from Chicago when I was 12, and becoming – drumroll – a singer (think Amy Lee). So, I’d create stories like Walter Mitty, where my life was nothing like it actually was. Little did I know this would become the story of my life.
Really, all I wanted was to believe there had to be something – someplace – better… so I began writing song lyrics, and eventually, love stories. More specifically, stories of fated mates and epic love. With strong women (like Mom) who would save the world with their partners beside them, men (NOTHING like my father) who weren’t threatened by the women they adored.
So when the rock star fantasy faded, I realized what I really loved was connecting with people and telling their stories. When I interviewed people for features, I adored figuring out who they were, and sharing how brilliant they were with the world. That’s when I realized being a singer was never my purpose… I was always destined to become a storyteller.
Fast forward a decade later, I learned I also loved connecting with other authors. And because I love learning everything and being the smartest person in the room (even when I’m the only person in the room), I took all the classes and became a one-woman publishing house. I’ve found I really adore connecting with authors through their stories, and helping them tell the world the stories that someone needs to read.
Welcome to my playground where only love can truly save the world.
What We Offer Indie Authors
$1.50/double spaced page
This is a big picture, single pass read evaluating your overall story from a reader’s perspective—albeit one who is also an author—with the intention of helping authors give readers the intended experience from their story. This assessment gives both positive and negative feedback, focusing on plot points and structure as a whole, including story beats and tropes as well as character arcs and development, description, dialogue, pacing, tone, and setting. This 3-6 page critique should take place prior to or in lieu of a substantive or developmental edit depending on the author’s experience or need. Unlike a full edit, rather than containing critiques throughout the manuscript, the author will receive a report from which s/he can determine next steps in the editing process.
$0.007/Word
For experienced authors not in need of an in-depth line edit, a copy edit will target correctness of story prose rather than style. Specifically, the focus is on correcting spelling, punctuation, grammar, and syntax to ensure basic elements of sentencing for readability. This includes word choice affecting author voice and style already pre-determined by the author’s preferences, as well as regional dialect, overused crutch words to stabilize clarity of syntax and sentence structure. In addition, this edit also addresses timeline consistency, detail and description consistency, basic fact checking, and formatting elements such as text messages or letters, while also flagging potential copyright or legal issues. Copy edits will also address basic spelling, grammar, punctuation, correct word usage (per CMoS and/or author’s style preferences)
NOTE: The editor makes most copyedits within the manuscript by turning on track changes, giving the author the option of adhering to or rejecting any changes made.
$0.008/Word
For experienced authors not in need of an in-depth developmental edit, a substantive edit focuses on construction of plot points and beats, one chapter at a time. This big-picture report considers organization of scenes and how they all fit together to convey the emotional investment of your readers. This first editing pass is intended to tweak—not rewrite, which would be a developmental edit—your novel. This report will give a detailed assessment of tense, pacing, dialogue, tone, point of view, consistency of details and story timelines, world building and setting, show vs tell, and description to ensure your story is engaging to your readers without any plot holes or unresolved threads. This pass will also look at character growth arcs including GMCs of protagonists, side characters, and avoiding head hopping.
NOTE: While the editor will point out issues, it is ultimately up to the author to make any necessary story revisions within the manuscript.
$0.005/Word
This final pass will focus on double checking and perfecting your final product before formatting the final manuscript. This pass will correct misspellings and punctuation errors, basic grammar, spacing, type and font, sizing errors, and general consistency flaws ensuring as clean a copy as possible before publication.
NOTE: All changes within the manuscript are done by the proofreader using track changes.
$75/hour consult
If you have a story idea that feels like it’s missing something, this service is for you. I’m available to brainstorm or just to work through your story through live Zoom sessions to help you figure out what’s missing, or even if you just need someone to help reassure you that your story is heading in the right direction. First 15 minutes for new clients is free! If you want to continue, great – I charge $75 for the next hour, but if after 15 minutes you feel you’ve got it figured out, then great! Of if you need more time, then we can just continue from there. Please, contact me for questions or to book your session.
Premade Concepts start at… tbd
Premade Plots start at… tbd
Whether you have an idea you need fleshed out into a plot, characters or worlds that need building, or just need an idea to get you started on your next project, I’m your muse! As a #1 Ideation (if you know anything about Clifton Strengths), this is my specialty! I can create story concepts, characters, build worlds from your ideas or my own, and create both simple or elaborate plots and outlines to help you write your next book. NOTE: I’m working on pricing tables, but in the meantime, please reach out with questions.
$250/introduction & Welcome Sequence
Beginning and growing a Newsletter list can be daunting for new authors, especially when you feel like you’ve got little to say or nobody to say it to. Truth is, every author needs a newsletter as a marketing tool. I’ve been running my own since 2017, and I can create new authors an introductory email along with an simple welcome sequence in which you can take over once it’s been set up. I currently use MailerLite, but I’ve used MailChimp and am open to other platforms. Newsletter set-up with welcome sequence starts at $250. Total cost may vary by project.
Basic graphic design skills are helpful for new authors, but if you have no interest in creating your own or you don’t have time to learn, this service is for you. I can help create graphics including social media banners, marketing graphics, basic logos, website graphics and more. I started learning with Canva, but I am now proficient in Photoshop as well after taking three courses with Regina Wamba. Graphic prices vary by project and complexity. I’m working on a pricing table, but in the meantime, reach out with specific questions.
$199/Ebook Formatting
When it comes time to publish your books, you will need to format them before submitting them to whatever publishing platforms you will be using. I’ve been using Vellum for simple Ebook formatting since 2019. Ebook formatting starts at $199/book. Contact us for any questions.
Testimonial coming soon…
Testimonial coming soon…
“Gwen has been instrumental in my journey as a writer to the point that I will not publish a book unless she’s wielded her mighty (digital) pen. It’s nice to know an editor who takes pride in doing her job well and who genuinely cares about my success.”