Bryan Thomas Schmidt

“I hired a professional editor because I needed to be taught my weaknesses so I could find them myself.”
~ Holly L’Osieau, author

“Well, here is one author who truly appreciates what you have done so far for my work. Alone because you made me understand something: Needing an editor does not mean that I am not a writer. It just means I need to get better. And anybody should always strive to become better at what they do, no matter what they do.” ~ K.M. Strid, Author client

“Bryan brings his knowledge of writingcraft and storycraft to bear on all his editing projects. He applies both his skills as an author and the vast number of books that he has read to raise to high standards each manuscript he receives. If you need an editor to provide you with objective, professional, and no punches pulled feedback for your book projects then Bryan’s editing services are what you are looking for. He’s honest, flexible, and brings great credibility to whomever he works with; Grail Quest Books stories are 100% the better for having him involved.” ~  Josh Radke, Owner/Publisher, Grail Quest Books (Wars game tie-in novellas, Edited by Bryan Thomas Schmidt)

“I heartily recommend Bryan as a a hardworking, get her done editor and writer.” ~ David Rozansky, Publisher/Owner, Flying Pen Press (Space Battles: Full Throttle Space Tales 6, Edited by Bryan Thomas Schmidt)

“In the summer of 2010, I asked Bryan Thomas Schmidt to help me smooth out my latest manuscript in order to prepare it for submission. Immediately, he went to work, attacking my 100K-word document with professional gusto and a real sense of duty. Bryan is an indomitable wordsmith who questioned my every move to ensure I was saying exactly what I meant to say in every scene. I found many of his suggestions invaluable and I am confident that my manuscript is better since he edited and critiqued it for me.”
~ Ellen C. Maze, author Rabbit: Chasing Beth Rider

“Bryan’s professional editing helped me trim 2,000 weak and redundant words from an 8,000 word short. His comments were detailed and consistent. I adapted 90% of them into the final version, and found myself cleaning up other stories as a result. His critique also forced me to rethink my lazy solutions, digging deeper into the story to find its core. His services were well worth his extremely reasonable rates.”
~ David Brown, author, Fourth Horseman, Fist Full Of Reefer

My latest project:

Services

In addition to writing, Bryan also proofreads and edits for professional writers. Past clients have included: Leon C. Metz (The Shooters, The Border, Mexican Revolution), Ellen Maze (Rabbit: Chasing Beth Ryder, Rabbit: Legacy), and Sherry Thompson.

Most of my editing is available through my editing service at finish-the-story.com now where I work with fellow editors, but on a case-by-case basis I will take new clients here and continue with existing clients.

Ala Carte Service Fees

Developmental Edits: $30/hour (Full read and summary notes of issues, impressions, suggestions on plot, character and general readiness for publication) Generally takes a week from start.

Copy Edits: $30/hour (In depth line-by-line edit for grammar, word choice, etc. including some notes on story arc, plot, etc. as they come up) Can take 10-20 days from start time, depending on word count.

Short Story review and quick impressions: $50

Short Stories complete proof/edit: $25/hour

Polishing/Ghostwriting: $30/hour (negotiable after review of state of manuscript for polishing)

 TYPING SERVICES RATES:

Books As Editor:
Rabbit: Legacy by Ellen Maze
Mexican Thunder by Leon C. Metz
A Fistfull of Reefer by David Mark Brown
Space Battles: Full Throttle Space Tales 6, Flying Pen Press, April 2012
Wars: Battle of Phobos Preludes Phobos, Various, Grail Quest Books, 2012
Wars: Battle of Phobos 2, Various, Grail Quest Books, 2012
Power Play by Mary E. Sutton, Delabarre Publishing, 2012
Storm Clouds by Mary E. Sutton, Delabarre Publishing, 2013
Beyond The Sun, Fairwood Press, July 2013
Shattered Shields, Coeditor with Jennifer Brozek, Baen Books, 2014