Client
Louisa Burford, a Spanish Language teacher has authored a book of personal development style exercises to help with the mindset of mastering and sticking with Spanish language practice.
Objective
Lousia had written a book full of detailed insights and exercises promising the reader to fall in love with Spanish language and love learning it. The book had been edited from a proofing point of view but needed help with macro edit and messaging.
Result:
The introduction and first chapters were read and some structural changes were suggested, including:
- Move the most compelling paragraphs to the beginning of the intro
- Remove paragraphs that didn’t add impact
- Restructure the order of the introduction to better prepare the reader for more advanced concepts
- Rehierarchialised Louisa’s journey to mastering Spanish so the most pertinent parts for the reader and the most evocative parts to read were first in the chapter or book.
- General Macro Edit and Discussion on messaging and goals for the book
- Made recommendations to improve clarity where there was overly flowery language
Ideal Reader Profile
- Went through Ideal Client Profile and advised to target just the MOST LIKELY READER, not just “anyone” learning Spanish
- The reader journey encompassed the sort of circumstances they’d be in to pick up such a workbook and pay money for, and as there was a large spiritual and personal development component to the book exercises, it was recommended that was explicitly stated on the book cover and in the intro
- Created a compressed reader journey as there was only a very short turnaround time
Book Back Cover
- Recommended a sentence further down as introductory sentence, as it seemed to hook the reader and convey the promise of the book more succinctly
- Removed some sentences that didn’t meet the reader at their presumed level of understanding prior to reading the book
- Edited book blurb and made suggestions of book’s promise and to add something to indicate the “woo” content in the book
Testimonial
Stacia’s expert editing and marketing skills were invaluable in getting my manuscript ready for publication. She took what I’d written and rearranged it beautifully, pulling out the most impactful sentences and really making it zing! Her in-depth understanding of the publishing world, and of what makes a book sell, really shone through, as she guided me with my book blurb and manuscript, connecting the threads of the important messages and making sure it appealed to the reader I’m aiming to help. I’d hire her again, no question, and would highly recommend her to anyone who wants to get an expert set of eyes on their precious manuscript.
