|
|
Address
P.O. Box 928, Petaluma, CA 94953
Phone and Fax
(707) 762-3208
Email
sbono@tiny-lights.com
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
A good editor gives you at least two extra eyes—one in the center of your forehead that stays focused on your literary vision; one in the back of your head for tracking details and keeping your bases covered.
As a former high school English teacher, writer's group facilitator, workshop presenter, editor and small press publisher, I have been helping writers improve their vision for more than 20 years. I enjoy all types of editing projects, but specialize in facilitating you and your fiction, essays and memoir.
Literary Services
For inquiry or quotes, please see contact info above
Editing
I charge a $2.00-per-page reading fee—this includes margin notes—and $50.00 an hour for editorial analysis. I am happy to receive inquiries by email, but like to talk to clients either in person or over the phone to establish the nature of the project, the needs and goals of the writer, timelines, etc. If we decide we're a good fit, a sample of your ms. can assist me in better determining the price of the job. I can do on-line editing, but prefer to make notes on hard copy.
The Flat Rate Edit
For short pieces (3,000 words or less), I offer a flat rate edit. $75.00 includes margin notes and an in-depth written analysis, with emphasis on practical suggestions. In these "essay intensives," I am often able to help writers identify and break through patterns that have been limiting the scope of their work. Hard copy or email submissions okay, but please query first.
Endorsements
- Patricia Harrelson, essayist, Community College instructor, Jamestown, CA:
"We who keep scribbling are blessed by the likes of you who scribble on our work."
- Judith Ryan Hendricks, author of Bread Alone (Morrow, 2001), Isabel's Daughter (June 2003) and Baker's Apprentice (2005). www.judihendricks.com:
"Susan, thanks for showing me why God created editors."
- Rebecca Lawton, author of Reading Water: Lessons from the River (Capitol Books, 2002). www.becca.lawton.net:
An accomplished writer in her own right, Susan is a superlative editor as well: incisive, sensitive, tactful, and respectful of the author's unique voice. Her light, sure touch only improved my work. The literary conversation we had while revising my essay "Faith in the Dry Season" not only led to a deeper understanding of the piece but to a Pushcart Prize nomination. Beg, borrow, barter--do anything you can to raise the funds to work with her. You'll be glad you did!"
- Alla Crone, author of East Lies the Sun , Winds over Manchuria , North of the Moon , Legacy of Amber , Rodina and Maxim. www.allacrone.com:
"After writing for years and publishing six books, I have never had such in-depth help as I did from Susan Bono. My only regret is that I didn't meet her earlier! Her critique was detailed, meticulous, not only in regard to the theme and structure of my current book, but also the grammar and lazy writing. For that I am eternally grateful. In short, she didn't let me get away with anything, and yet her comments were tactful and kind. My next manuscript is going to her as soon as I finish my first draft."
Classes and Events
Literary conferences, fairs, meetings, and courses
4th Annual Pt. Reyes Writing Retreat
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 23--4 p.m. Sunday, May 25.
Pt. Reyes Lifeboat Station at Chimney Rock
$175 ($170 members)
This year's annual foray into the wilderness of words will be held at the old Pt. Reyes Lifeboat station, a location with ocean views and our own private (end of Drake's) beach!
Our peaceful, rustic retreat (think summer camp) is for anyone who enjoys writing. We will spend the weekend weaving images and thoughts from our memories and from our observations of the natural world. There will be (optional) workshops on poetry, memoir/essay, and we will share new work in our small, supportive community. Accommodations included at the Pt. Reyes Lifeboat Station. Meals are potluck.
Call Cathy at 415-663-1200 to reserve a place. Online registration available in March, but don't wait that long!
Pt. Reyes Field Seminars.
Redwood Writers Editing Workshops
The Redwood branch of the California Writers Club will host four Saturday editing workshops during January and February, 2008, from 10:30 am -12:30 pm at the Petaluma Novak Center (the Senior Center). The sessions are $15 each and include the following topics:
January 19th topic: Why edit? Facilitator: Marlene Cullen, local writing coach and leader of Writers Forum, will help attendees understand the need for editing.
January 26th topic: Revising your manuscript. Facilitator: Jordan Rosenfeld, local author now writing for Writer's Digest, will help get students started on that all-important process of revision.
February 2nd topic: Smoothing and polishing your manuscript. Facilitator: Susan Bono, local editor of Tiny Lights, will offer tips for using just the right word or phrasing to help stories sparkle.
February 9th topic: Copyediting and proofreading. Facilitator: Georgia Hughes, writer and editor for New World Library, will finish the series by teaching students to self-correct technical errors.
Budding or seasoned writers may take all sessions and pay the full price of $60 in advance by mailing a check or money order payable to CWC-Redwood Chapter to the address shown below. Individual classes or any combination thereof may also be reserved.
The first ten students who sign up for the entire series will receive a free service of editing of five pages of their manuscript by Marlene Cullen.
Additional contact information:
E-Mail Karen Batchelor, President
or 707-795-4591
Redwood Writers, P.O. Box 4687, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
www.redwoodwriters.org.
Memoir Essentials
Susan Bono is scheduled to address The Berkeley Branch of the California Writers Club on the elements of successful memoir and essay.
February 16, 2008
10--11:30 a.m.
Barnes & Noble, Jack London Square, Event Loft, Oakland
There is a nominal fee for underground parking, or take a bus from the 12th St. BART station. There's a coffee shop inside the bookstore.
www.berkelywritersclub.org.
No events or classes are currently scheduled. Please check back soon!
Past Highlights
Highlights of 2007
TRI-VALLEY WRITERS MEMOIR WORKSHOP, Pleasanton, CA
February 17, 2007 WORKSHOP: 9--11:15 a.m., followed by LUNCH and a give and take discussion of TRUTH IN NONFICTION: 12:30--1:30.
WORKSHOP: JOURNEY INTO MEMOIR: If memoir is a vehicle for self-expression, what keeps the engine running and the wheels on the road? What kind of fuel does personal narrative take? How do we convince perfect strangers to hop in and come along for the ride? Exploring questions such as these will help writers of all levels get greater mileage from their essays and memoir. Bring a notebook. We will write!
For more info: Tri-Valley branch of the California Writers Club.
In Brief (Round Two!): Writing Short, Personal Nonfiction
UC Santa Cruz Extension
Oct 20, 2007
Sat 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Not For Credit
Tuition: $135.00
Campus: CUPERTINO
Instructor: Susan Bono
For those of you who missed it last year, here we go again!
Whether your goal is capturing a few choice memories to pass along to the grandkids or publishing personal reflections in newspapers and magazines, you'll leave this class with plenty of practical tips for writing successful short nonfiction. This one-day workshop offers writing exercises and feedback, plus marketing advice. We'll study examples of the short form--some sweet, others snappy--and spend time working on our own mini-masterpieces. We'll also look at what we owe our audience in terms of truth. Bring writing materials and a willingness to experiment! All skill levels welcome.
UC Santa Cruz Extension website.
7th Annual North Coast Redwoods Writer's Conference
College of the Redwoods
Crescent City, CA
September 14 & 15, 2007
Retreat to the north coast with conference presenters Derrick Jensen, Dorianne Laux, Jay Lake, Joseph Millar, Inez Castor, Susan Bono and Barbara Deal.
Info: www.ncrwc.org.
3rd Annual Point Reyes Writing Retreat
Patti Trimble & Susan Bono
June 1-3
7:30 p.m. Friday-4 p.m. Sunday
Clem Miller Environmental Center
$175 ($170 members)
Time for our annual foray, away from city lights and highways, into the wilderness of words! This peaceful writing retreat is for anyone who enjoys writing--weaving images and thoughts from our memories and from our observations of the natural world. There will be (optional) workshops on poetry, memoir/essay, and we will share new work in our small, supportive community. There will also be a visit from an expert naturalist to open our eyes to he local habitat. Accomodations included at the Clem Miller Environmental Center. Meals are potluck.
Point Reyes Field Seminars.
Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets: The Power of Objects in Your Writing
Writers Forum July 19, 2007
Contents of the Dead Man’s Pockets: The Power of Objects in Your Writing
As they say on TV, “What’s in your wallet?” Let’s explore how the inspired use of objects reveals character and provides thematic unity in your stories, memoirs and poetry. The answer to better writing may be hiding in your purse or pocket!
Susan Bono teaches, writes and edits in Petaluma. She’s been publishing Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Essay since 1995. Her own writing has appeared most recently in Sheila Bender’s Writing & Publishing Personal Essays, the St. Petersburg Times, North Bay Theatre Group’s Page on Stage and on KRCB radio’s Word by Word.
The Writers Forum.
Back to Literary Services
|
|
