“As a writer of fiction and for theater, I had the opportunity a few years ago, with the award of a Pen USA West Emerging Voices Rosenthal Fellowship, to work on my first book. I thought I had written a novel of interrelated short stories. I shared it with friends trusting they would give honest feedback, which they did. I participated in writing groups and finally felt somewhat ready to submit it for publication. Although offered a few ‘almosts’ to publish, in the end, I got many rejections.

     I made the decision to find a professional editor, someone whose special skills include a sensibility toward the culture and language represented in my writing, work that sometimes mingles English with Spanish. I was introduced to Marcela Landres. I found that, with her wealth of editing experience, she was the person for my work. She returned my manuscript edited to the last detail. She refers to her work as sculpting. Although I had sculpted a piece of art, she took away the excess clay, freeing me as an artist to use the remaining clay to create a new sculpture, to rework and recreate my art.

     In addition to her editing skills, Marcela Landres offers many excellent suggestions about how to nurture one’s writing career. Part of the contract includes a sixty-minute phone call I found both enjoyable and productive. I am very satisfied with her work on my book and am reworking it based on her detailed suggestions. It is easy to implement her feedback. She was able to bring forward each story as unique, while still linking them nicely together. Her patient, detailed editing was just what I needed. I recommend Marcela Landres for writers ready for a professionally critical eye.”--Carolina Rivera, author of “Stories From America's Backyard”

 

"Writing websites, conferences, workshops, classes, and magazines all provide an overwhelming amount of advice for a prospective author. Some of that advice can be difficult to navigate and even contradictory! What's an aspiring writer to do? Marcela Landres is an excellent tour guide on this journey. Her ability to generate trust and credibility within the first five minutes of our phone call, along with her direct and personalized approach, made for an excellent investment of my time and money. Both my manuscript and my writing career have benefited from her advice!"--Judith Fernandez, author of “Adventures in Love and Chaos”

 

“Marcela is absolutely the most perfect editorial consultant for a writer who also has a ‘day job.’ She doesn’t waste a minute getting right to the ‘hook’ and the details of your work. No beating around the bush or boilerplate critique for Marcela. She really knows her stuff and knows what the editors and publishers want--better than most agents. Marcela zooms in on the right audience and keeps your focus sharpened. She’s terrific on expanding your platform in the most creative ways. She brings her zest and energy to your work and her enthusiasm is contagious. I’ve never had such a fun time re-writing!!!”--Juvenile Judge Irene Sullivan, author of “The Night Swimmers”

 

“Anyone thinking of taking a novel into the public market must consult Marcela first. I know it’s an expense, and money’s tight--it’s always tight--but Marcela did more for me than correct grammar and straighten ideas. She pointed out the lack of progression and character development in my novel. She suggested CD’s and books I’m only beginning to use. She gave me real directions on how to start a writing career. I used one CD she recommended and realized my book was only a third finished. My friends couldn’t do that. If it’s a matter of time, make time to work with Marcela. If it’s a matter of money, she’s worth every dime. I feel as if I received honest mentoring from someone in the publishing business and made a friend at the same time. If you choose not to work with her, that’s OK too; the publishing market is hard enough already and I really don’t need the competition.”--Luis Alvarenga, author of “Confessions of an Internet Pornographer”

 

“If there was an American Idol competition for writing, only one judge would be needed--Marcela Landres. Combine the perception of Randy Jackson, the encouragement of Paula Abdul, and the instincts of Simon Cowell (but ONLY his instincts), and you have Marcela. She really knows her stuff, and she has a way of getting to the heart of writing problems and providing clear and accurate suggestions. I was amazed by the thoroughness and quality of her manuscript edits. Marcela's recommendations for building a writing career were priceless. My advice? Take her advice.”--Cameron Coursey, author of “Time to First Fix”

 

“Working with Marcela Landres is like going to graduate school for creative writing with just one student: you. That sounds like hype, but I've done both, and while I learned to hone my craft at school, I learned the truth about what I need to do to become a pro from Marcela. She's a pleasure to work with and is incredibly detailed, offering a wide variety of key knowledge about the industry, the real requirements of the profession, and then providing suggestions about how to meet those demands. Most impressive of all, she's right about every comment she makes. Some of them might be hard to take at first, but if you really consider what is best for the work, she nails it every time. Marcela's suggestions are literate, market-wise, and aimed directly at making you a better writer. If you are truly serious about doing the hard work needed to build a successful career, Marcela Landres is an irreplaceable asset, a valuable investment, and a rich resource of precious information.”--Christopher Ryan, author of "City of Woe"

 

“As I embarked on fulfilling my dream of writing a book, I learned two very important things: just because you believe you have a fantastic idea for a book doesn’t mean someone else hasn’t done it a million times over and also, we are not always the best critics of our own writing. That’s where an editor comes in. You need someone to open your eyes to seeing the “bigger story” and not the one you may think you should tell. That’s a talent that only seasoned editors have and Marcela Landres is just that.”—Janet Bonilla, author of “Camilla’s Grace”

 

"I thought I was all set to send out my book proposal--thank goodness a friend directed me to Marcela Landres first!  Marcela showed me how to make my proposal much better, and how to become well published--not just published. My career is much stronger after working with Marcela. She offers one of the best bargains in the business I've encountered."--Lisa Scott, onetiredmama columnist