Welcome! Long Time, No See!

Hello, all!

Thanks for stopping by! Clearly, I am not the quickest person on the block to update her blog, but there you go. I would suggest that means one of two things:

a) I haven't had anything of import to share, or
b) I have been incredibly busy, and unable to post anything.

Truth be told, it's a combination of both!

Regardless, I am here (and likely more easily found on Facebook, if you want to look for me there), and looking forward to another great year.

Let me know if you want to work on a book together, and we'll chat!

Cheers!

Fall Wrap-Up

Hello, all! My, it's been a busy autumn around our house this year -- and now we're beginning the countdown to the festive holiday season!

In order to keep everyone apprised of my own comings and goings, I thought I would mention a couple of things:

1. The remainder of 2014 is pretty much full, in terms of project bookings. The New Year is currently wide-open, however, so if you're looking to start 2015 off on a productive note, let's book your copy edit or proofread now!

2. I'm sure everyone will also be pleased to know that no rate increases are planned for the first half of 2015. So the rates listed on the appropriate page will be what you'll pay.

I hope you're staying warm (or cool, depending on your location!) and enjoying your week.

Cheers!

One Time Slot Left!

Hi all --
One of the Summer Surprise Deal time slots has been claimed. This leaves a time slot starting August 1st up for grabs! If you have a manuscript that will be needing a proofread or a copy edit soon, and would like to take advantage of a 10% discount on the fee, let me know ASAP!

Happy Summer!

Surprise Summer Deal!

Summer Surprise Deal! Two slots open in August -- start dates are August 1st and August 18 -- and if you book with me (sign an agreement and pay your deposit) before July 31, receive a 10% discount off the total fee! Send me a message ASAP to claim one of these two slots!

Feel free to share this announcement (Tweet, repost) with anyone who might be interested! I will post when these slots are filled.

Sincerest Apologies

Hello, all!
Let me apologize for not posting on this blog recently. There have been medical issues with two members of my family that started already last fall and dealing with those issues (including hospitalization in both cases) has taken time away from some of the extra things in my life that I need to do, like blogging.

(Not to worry, all client work continues to be completed on time.)

Now that we are firmly entrenched in the new year, I hope you're all tackling those WiPs and have made the decision that 2014 is going to be *your* year!

If you are considering having your work professionally edited or proofread, please be aware that I'm currently booking for June.

Is it spring where you are? We still have piles of snow that are taking their own sweet time to melt! Ah, well. Spring will arrive sooner or later, right?

Turkey Coma And All

Greetings!
I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday so far! I also hope you've allowed yourself a bit of a break from writing. Every now and then it's a good idea to take a small hiatus to allow your creative well to refill and allow you to go back to your project recharged and refreshed, and ready to keep on rollin'! (Just make sure that break of yours doesn't last longer than a few days!)

I'll be back before long to wish you all a Happy New Year, but in these days before the turning of the calendar I hope you'll take a few minutes to look back on this year and enjoy your successes and take lessons away from the mistakes. After you've done that, look forward. Right now 2014 is wide open and full of possibility. What will *you* do with this time? Is this the year you write that book? Is this the year you step up your game? Only you can know for certain, and it's all about your conviction and determination. But I know you can do it!

Cheers!

Rate Increases...And A Deal!

Greetings, all!
I hope your holiday preparations are going along swimmingly and you're looking forward to spending some quality time with your family and friends over the next few weeks.

While you're nibbling on gingerbread men and sipping eggnog, however, I hope you'll think ahead to the New Year and to creating new goals. What do you want to accomplish next year?

From my end of things, business will continue as usual, but thanks to inflation and the rising cost of living, 2014 will usher in a small rate increase for my services, and that information will be posted at the beginning of January. From the beginning I have tried to keep my rates reasonable, and have not changed the prices for my services since starting this business.

If this news is distressing to you, please don't worry -- because I have a deal for you!

If you are considering contracting editing services in the New Year, listen to this: If you sign a work agreement with me and pay the deposit prior to December 31, 2013, you can book your project with me anytime during 2014 and pay 2013 prices!

If you have any questions or comments about this deal, or are interested in taking advantage of it, please don't hesitate to send me an email and I'll be happy to discuss it with you.

In the meantime, Happy Holidays, and all the best to you and yours for 2014!

Cheers!

Attention Small-Business Owners!

This blog post is for you!

At long last, Tanya Saari, Fiction Editor, is now offering proofreading and copyediting services for small-business clients!

Do you want your first impression on a potential client to be a good one? Would you like to make sure your business materials are error-free? Of course you do, and I'm here to ensure your success on both counts!

For more information, click on the "Business Services" tab at the top of the page, or click this link right here, which will also take you to the right place.

Let's make your business materials shine!

Cheers!

Back To Work!

Hello, all!
After a lovely vacation, I'm now back and ready to get to work! I have openings in my schedule starting immediately, so if you're ready to take the next step with your novel, please don't hesitate to send me a note!

I hope you've all had a restful, enjoyable summer! Here's to settling back into fall routines!

Cheers!

Scheduling Update

Hello, all!
I hope that wherever you are summer is treating you well!

This is just your usual information update regarding availability in my schedule. I am now fully booked until the beginning of September, so if you think you'll be ready for editing or proofreading at that time, send me an email to begin our conversation!

In the meantime, stay cool (or warm, depending on where you are!) and keep on writing!

Anthology Now Available!

I'm thrilled to announce the release of a new anthology that I had the privilege of helping to create and edit.

Here's the blurb:

2003 Hardin Way

Situated in Atlanta, Georgia, it's an address like no other. Whispered discreetly between co-workers, e-mailed between friends, found online by the most frightened searcher, it isn't just a building constructed of bricks and mortar.

It represents hope.

For women traumatized by abuse, harassed by others, or merely looking for an escape, this apartment building provides solace, sanctuary and safety for those in desperate need. Living here, women find strength, courage and -- perhaps most importantly -- the ability to love once again.

Hardin Way -- where hearts heal.

If you're interested in checking it out, it's available on Smashwords as well as Amazon. I hope you enjoy some excellent stories from some very talented authors! I also hope that if you do read the book, that you'll leave a review somewhere. I know the authors would appreciate it.

Schedule Openings

Hello, all!
Just thought I'd let those who are wondering know that I have an opening in my schedule starting June 24. If you'd be interested in that spot, please send me an email!

If you need further incentive, there are still discounted services available, too!  Let me know!

It's Here -- Again! A Gift For YOU!

Hippo Bird-Dog Two Ewe!

Hello, everyone!

Well, it's that time of year again -- it's time to say Happy Birthday to ME, but also Happy Birthday to YOU! Because while I'm the one celebrating the rolling over of yet another year, you get to reap the benefits!

If you've been following along for a while, you'll know that last year I gave discounts on my services for some lucky clients -- and now I'm doing it again!

Note: make sure you read the fine print. There are some rules to be followed!

So... here we go! To celebrate my birthday I'm offering a 20% discount on any one of my services to the first three people to claim them! Have you been on the fence about hiring an editor? Maybe now's the time!

The Rules:
1. Only one discounted service per person (ie. three different people get those three slots).
2. To receive the discounted service, the client must have signed my standard work agreement and paid the standard 20% deposit no later than May 22, 2013. The work period itself may be scheduled at any time in the coming weeks, pending availability. Please be aware that I am unavailable for work from August 5, 2013 to September 2, 2013.
3. This offer is available to anyone, regardless of whether or not the author is a past or current client.
4. I reserve the right to suggest alternate services, should the manuscript warrant them.
5. This offer may not be combined with any other discounts (eg. a referral discount).

So please -- I ask you to Tweet, blog, and spread the news wherever you'd like. Let your friends and family know!

Coming Soon!

Just a quick note to let you know that you should swing by here on Wednesday to see what I will have posted.

I don't think you want to miss this one!

See you in a couple of days...

Summer Schedule Announcement

Hello, all!

I hope that wherever you are you're enjoying lovely weather. Spring has finally sprung here in Northern Ontario and everything outdoors is beginning to turn a lovely shade of green. It's about time!

I know you're all busy planning your summer writing schedules and setting achievable goals for yourselves, and as you're doing that, please be advised that I will NOT be scheduling any projects from August 5th, 2013 to September 2nd, 2013. I will be traveling overseas during that time and will obviously not be doing any work.

There will be slots available up until the fifth, and on my return scheduling will continue as usual.

Questions? Comments? Let me know!

Thanks!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes*!

*With apologies to David Bowie.

Good morning, all! I wanted to post some new information for all of the Canadians out there! Effective immediately, you will also have the option of paying via bank e-Transfer, as well as via PayPal. This is a safe and secure way to make payments, so if you would like to use this option please let me know when contracting your project!

Unfortunately, this option is only available through Canadian banking institutions (and not all of them have it; please check with your bank to be certain), so my apologies to those of you in the United States and elsewhere on the globe.

More news is coming soon; please stay tuned!

And The Oscar Goes To...

Did you watch the Oscars tonight? What did you think of the show? I didn't watch this year for two reasons -- 1) my husband had claimed the TV tonight to watch the final game of the Scotties women's curling event, and 2) well, truthfully, I just wasn't really interested. I've seen very few of the Oscar-nominated films this year, unfortunately, and while it's always entertaining to celebrity-gawk, I had other things to do.

But I digress. As this is a blog about writing and publishing, I thought I'd ask this question: do you have a favourite book that became an Oscar-nominated film? Several nominated films this year started as books, including The Life of Pi, Les Misérables, The Silver Linings Playbook and The Hobbit.

Have you read any of these titles, or any of the others? Would you classify any as your favourite book? What about the movie adaptation? How do you think the transition from page to screen was handled for these stories?

On the other side of the coin, are there any books out there that haven't been made into movies that you'd just love to see on the silver screen? Me, I'd love to someday see Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series on screen. What a visual spectacle that could be!

What are your thoughts?

Happy New Year!

Well, hello there, and welcome to a fresh new year! Feels good, doesn't it? I don't know about you, but the changing of the calendar always fills me with excitement and anticipation. Because who knows just what a new year will bring, right?

How many of you out there are resolution makers? I like making them, but it doesn't necessarily mean I'll follow through. It comes with being human, I think!

But I believe I've learned my lesson for this year -- I've made my resolutions a little less strict, a little more general. More achievable. It's much easier to say "get outside and move more" instead of "lose twenty pounds", don't you think?

What about writing goals? Have you any for this year? Is this going to be the year? Are you finally going to give it a shot and put that story down on paper or on the screen? Good luck! Make sure to set goals and keep them reasonable and achievable. Try for "500 words a day" rather than "a whole book in a month". I think your chances of success will vastly improve with the former and not the latter!

Let me know if there's anything you'd like me to blog about specifically this year, and I'll see what I can do!

In the meantime, raise a glass with me to 2013 -- here's to success, to accomplishments big and small and most of all -- lots of fun!

Cheers!

2013 Is Coming!

Hello, all!

Well. This year's been quite the ride, hasn't it? Thank you to all of my clients for your support and your business -- I couldn't be here without you!

Anyone out there a resolution maker? What are your goals for 2013? Will this be the year you decide to take the plunge and finally write the story that's been swirling around in your brain for months (or even years!)? Or will you finally decide to try and get your manuscript published -- either on your own or with a traditional publisher? Whatever it is, I wish you the best of luck with it!

Personally, I'd like to help as many of you make your writing and publishing dreams come true as possible!

In the meantime, however, I do wish all of you a safe and joyous holiday season. Let's make 2013 a year to remember!

Cheers!

NaNoWriMo -- Is It For You?

In writing circles, November has become known as National Novel Writing Month -- or NaNoWriMo. The premise of NaNoWriMo is to write a 50,000-word novel in thirty days, and the idea has grown exponentially over the last few years -- from 21 participants in 1999 to almost 37,000 "winners" in 2011. ("Winners" indicates those who reached or surpassed the 50K-word mark. Many more begin, and many do not finish.)

For some writers, this caffeine-fueled writing frenzy is the kick in the pants they need to sit down and actually finish a project. But is it for everyone? Probably not. Some find the daily goal of 1,666 words too hard to reach. Others find if they miss a day it's too much pressure to get back on track. It all depends on your writing style and your willingness to turn off your internal editor and put anything and everything down on the screen.

On the other hand, some folks thrive under the pressure and produce work that they hadn't known they were capable of. Others find it completely freeing to write without constraints. It's hard to predict how it will go for you until you attempt it.

Follow the link at the top of this blog post for more information. If you decide to go ahead and give NaNoWriMo a try, good luck! Let me just give you one more tiny piece of advice on behalf of all editors and agents everywhere: when December first rolls around, please don't just submit that novel to any and all publishing houses and agencies willy-nilly. It will need work. It will need editing. It might even need a complete rewrite. It will certainly not be ready to submit! Take some time and work on it. Better yet, let it sit for a while and then go back and take a look. Publishing professionals everywhere thank you.

So good luck, NaNo-ers. Come back when the dust settles and let us all know how you did!

Cheers!