* Susan’s Two-Hour Magical Consult *

Testimony from Marita Lopez-Mena, memoir writer and Glimmer Train finalist

“I have been working on, or rather struggling over, a memoir for at least seven years. I have bits and pieces, notes, chapters, and scenes in ten different folders in my computer (where I imagine them rotting). After taking Susan’s winter workshop, I signed up for her two-hour long intensive consult. Not a believer in quick fixes for anything, I discovered in 120 minutes what the book is really about and a process for creating its structure. Kind of miraculous, no?”  

In two hours (on Skype or in person) with professional book editor Susan Brown, sail through an interactive brainstorming interview which takes you from concept to outline, from confusion to enlightenment.  Optional analysis of three-page writing sample included.  Described by her colleagues and students as a writing coach and teacher that can “see the book,” Susan will work with you to clarify, improve, or envision the theme, voice, structure, and narrative arc for a project in any stage of development.

Testimony from editor, teacher, and ghostwriter, Sandi Gelles-Cole, Gelles-Cole Literary Enterprises

“I’ve been an editor for 40 years helping authors bring their work fruition. I thought I knew everything about the process from concept to finished work. When I worked with Susan for two hours on my own writing I learned a completely different approach that I have integrated into my work as well as what I teach clients.”

Two-hour consult on Skype: $250

* Non-Fiction Book Proposal Coach and/or Co-Writer *

Because agents and publishers purchase a non-fiction book (including a memoir) based on a book proposal, not a full manuscript, this is the first step for a non-fiction project. If you’re working on a memoir or non-fiction book, Susan will assess your level and progress, work with you on the big picture concepts for a book proposal, and assist you in formulating a plan and in writing a compelling pitch.  Dr. Brown works from the premise that a stand-out memoir has to read like a high end literary novel.  She employs the secrets of the master writers and the art of book proposal writing to help writers launch a memoir project.  Taking from three to six months of intensive collaboration, the proposal is generally from 35 to 50 pages and meets specific guidelines set by agents and publishers.

Some Books Sold with Susan’s Book Proposals

* Ghostwriter or Collaborative Writer for Non-Fiction & Memoir *

“In Son of Tibet, Paljor Thondup’s story of survival, violence, horrors almost beyond belief, escape, and redemption was enhanced and transformed by the excellent hand of Susan Brown, who helped Paljor organize it and worked with Paljor to capture the details of even the most horrific and frightening moments.”           “Introduction,” Doug Preston, bestselling author of Lost City of the Monkey God                           

“I am grateful to Susan Sutliff Brown who doctored the final version into compelling reading with her creative energy.”             Paljor Thondup, Son of Tibet (2019)

                              Who Needs a Collaborator or Co-writer?
This service is generally sought by non-writers with a story to tell and an interested agent. Susan collaborated in books by lawyers, a ballerina, an artist, and, most recently, a Tibetan freedom fighter.  Typically taking at least a year, this process involves collaboration for the planning, outlining, composing, and revising a manuscript from concept to completion.  The writer provides the content.  Using only the facts, actual wording, and voice of the client, the collaborator reworks the author’s story into a compelling narrative that reads like butter.  If one doesn’t exist, the collaboration may include a book proposal which serves as the outline for the book and a document required by agents and publishers.

Fee for a book under 300 pages: $20,000

(book proposal, if needed, is additional)

* The Big Read: Professional Manuscript Consultation * (fiction or non-fiction)

Professional editing entails Dr. Brown’s thorough reading and analysis of a manuscript followed by a personal consultation covering her comments and suggestions for revision of content, style, overall structure, gaps, unity, characterization, plot, etc. Dr. Brown doesn’t do line editing or copy editing. She reads for concept, continuity, skills. She works by phone or Skype if geography demands. There is no time limit on the consultation.

Manuscript under 100 pages: $100/hour
Manuscript longer than 100 pages: $7.50/page
revision: $3/page