Editing

“One of my favorite memories of working on A House at the Bottom of a Lake with Michael David Wilson was the moment he told me I’d gone one step too far. This was a revelation for me because, as a writer, you kinda assume you can keep editing forever. But Michael rightly pointed out that we’d hit the sweet spot on the prior round of edits and I’d reached the point of overthinking. I can’t express how valuable it is to work with an editor who is aware of the book’s sweet spot.”
—Josh Malerman, author of BIRD BOX
“Michael David Wilson invented the fine-toothed comb. His attention to detail is second to none, and he has a wonderful understanding of structure. This is a guy who knows how good writing works.”
—Ray Cluley, Author of Water For Drowning
“From our first conversation about Joe and Me through to the publication of the chapbook, the entire process of working with Michael and the This is Horror team was a joy. Considering this was the first title in the chapbook series, I was impressed by Michael’s fully-formed vision, his ambition, and approach. Our communications throughout were professional and constructive, and the end result was a story which was very well received and which I’m incredibly proud of.”
—David Moody, author of Autumn

I’m currently open to new clients for editing and writing consultations. If you’re interested in my freelance editing services please drop me a line at michael@thisishorror.co.uk . I offer two levels of fiction editing and Skype writing consultations.

Story Overview

This is the broad strokes editing package. I’ll read your story, let you know what is and isn’t working, and suggest areas for you to work on. Feedback will include plot, structure, story development, dialogue, characterisation, point of view, pacing, readability, and focus. I’ll also recommend markets.

£0.02 per word (£20 per 1,000 words) (Approx. $0.024 per word)

Full In-Depth Edit

This is the full works. Not only will I do all of the above, going deeper on what is and isn’t working and making recommendations as to how you can improve your story, but I’ll edit it line-by-line for grammar, typos, tense changes, logic gaps, consistency, and a lot more.

£0.04 per word (£40 per 1,000 words) (Approx. $0.048 per word)

Skype Writing Consultations

This is a service for those who want to talk about their writing. Let’s talk about writing, editing, work-life balance, health, markets. Whatever writing concerns you have, I’ll help via Skype (audio or video—your choice).

£50 initial hour consultation (includes email exchange about consultation) (Approx. $60)

£40 per hour thereafter (Approx. $48)

Credentials

Over ten years of editing experience. I’ve edited books by Josh Malerman, Pat Cadigan, Stephen Graham Jones, David Moody, and many others. I’ve worked for and with various publishing houses and small presses including Rebellion Publishing and Broken River Books. I’ve hosted 250+ episodes of This Is Horror, the longest running horror fiction podcast on the craft of writing.

Check out some of the books I’ve edited below.

A House at the Bottom of A Lake by Josh Malerman

A-House-at-the-Bottom-of-a-Lake

“An intimate dive into eerie, ethereal—and elegantly human—waters.”
Dread Central

Buy A House at the Bottom of a Lake

they don’t come home anymore BY t.e. grau

They Don't Come Home Anymore by T.E. Grau

“They Don’t Come Home Anymore is both a fragmented nightmare and a heartbreaking allegory you won’t forget.”
Dead End Follies

Buy They Don’t Come Home Anymore

The Visible Filth by Nathan Ballingrud

The-Visible-Filth-Nathan-Ballingrud

“Ballingrud is a powerful, mesmerizing writer, and The Visible Filth proves he can frighten with the best of them.”
Simon Strantzas, author of Burnt Black Suns

Water For Drowning by Ray Cluley

Water For Drowning by Ray Cluley

“Real life and legend collide in Cluley’s haunting tale. It plays on your mind and leaves questions unanswered, as all good horror should. Recommended.”
DAVID MOODY, author of Autumn

Buy Water For Drowning

The Elvis Room by Stephen Graham Jones

The Elvis Room Stephen Graham Jones

“Fascinating ideas… never less than gripping!”
BLACK STATIC