Editing and Book Coaching

Who are we? And what's Story Kitchen?

We're Petrea Burchard and John Sandel, voice-actor and writer, essayist and producer, novelist and screenwriter, wife and husband. Story Kitchen is our business: editing, writing and teaching.

We're editors, proofreaders and story guides. We know how to cut and reshape with love. We want to help lift your writing from okay to amazing.

So … you're a writer, huh?

To rise above the din, your writing must be:

- Technically perfect
- Literate and clear
- Structured dramatically

WHAT WE OFFER

1. Proofing: The final stage before publishing—conforming mechanicals, checking for consistency, page numbers, typos, etc.

2. Light Editing (copy editing):
- proofing, plus
- focus on the sentence or paragraph level

- grammar

- basic clarity

3. Heavy Editing:
- Light Editing, plus
- focus on the shape & intent of the whole piece

- logic of content

- prose style

4. Writing Guidance: Your writing has to be fascinating—the secret is: this can be learned! The rules of classic story-structure exploit the reader's unconscious craving for drama including: 

- uses of metaphor & symbolism

- sharp plotting

- profound characters

- etc.

No matter what it is, if you wrote it, we'll help you make it amazing.

WHO WE ARE

Petrea Burchard

From 2004-2008, Petrea wrote the Act As If humor column for NowCasting.com, now available as a book. She published her first novel, Camelot & Vine (2013), and writes book reviews for Hometown Pasadena. Petrea is a member of the Historical Novel Society and has a BA in Rhetoric from the University of Illinois. More publications listed here.

Clients say:

"Petrea is a master of the English language and thank goodness I had her to edit my book. Every author needs an editor like every actor needs a director. Petrea will take your work and lift it to a higher level than you imagined."

—Liz Raci, author, Bank of America and Jeezus: The Spiritual Journey of Loan Modification

"Petrea's copyediting is very thorough and accurate. She knows both major style guides for fiction, plus the variations, and offers excellent suggestions where the two conflict. She made my copy squeaky clean and did it in a remarkably short time. I will be using her again and recommending her to all my friends."
—Anne Louise Bannon, author, Tyger, Tyger and the upcoming novel, Fascinating Rhythm, and co-author, Howdunit: Book of Poisons

"There came a time when I developed a blind spot to 'my precious,' and I needed a new set of discerning eyeballs. Enter Petrea, and I'm so grateful. Not only were your observations perceptive & helpful, but I also learned something new! Brava!!!"
—Greg Bell, author of two plays: Polestar, finalist in the Lake Arrowhead Performing Arts Center's 4th Annual Mini-Play Contest, and Alms for Oblivion, recipient of two awards. Greg's book of poetry and remembrances, Looking for Will, My Bardic Quest with William Shakespeare, is published by Ion Drive Publishing.

"Thank you for being such a wonderful help with my novel. I know you took a long time with it. You completely opened up the story. I can see exactly where to make it a lot better. Thank you again!
—Janet Aird, author and journalist

John Sandel

 

John worked in Hollywood as a screenwriter from 1995 to 2007. He founded the Script Kitchen, an small group screen- and story-writing class held in Burbank, CA. He offers online consultation as well. After you've exhausted our editing services, you're ready for Script Kitchen consultation on your screenplay or novel.

Clients say:

"My new feature would never have been conceivable if not for the structural tutelage and background that John instilled in me."

—Eric Kochmer, Writer-Director-Producer, Way Down in Chinatown, developed in the Script Kitchen

 "John has a wealth of experience and takes you through a very extensive look at what you are trying to present. He does it with intelligence, humor and honesty so you can get to the heart of the story you are trying to tell. He loves the work and so will you."

—Paul Raci, Writer-Producer, Deaf Ghost, developed in the Script Kitchen

"I learned everything I needed about story structure and script sequencing from John Sandel. I also was graciously given something that I wish all my professors in college taught: encouragement! John spent time letting us know what we did right in our work and what he enjoyed about what we did."

—Piper Ferguson, Photographer, Director & Writer

"If I had taken this class two years ago, I would have sold my script by now."

—Kimberly Joy Ferren, who optioned her screenplay, developed in the Script Kitchen, to the estate of a rock star we aren't allowed to name (but he's dead).

 OUR COMPETITIVE PRICING

Send us some pages and we'll assess your needs. We offer a free proofread/edit of your first five pages.

Proofreading

Lower rates for relatively clean copy. If it needs a great deal of work our rate will be higher.

 

Per hour: 

$20 to $30 an hour.

Per page: 

A typed, double-spaced page is about 250 words. Clean copy: $2/page. Messy copy: $3/page. Really messy copy: you might need an edit.

Per Project:

We can often charge less by proofreading and copyediting an entire project. If your book is 300 pages and your copy is in good shape, we can estimate copyediting/proofing 10-12 pages/hour, on average. That's 25 hours at $25/hour. In this case, we can settle on an upfront, per-project price of $625.

The price will also depend on the type of copy being edited or proofed. Business, scientific or technical copy may cost more. We use the Chicago Manual of style and Strunk & White.

Light editing (basic copy editing)

$30-$40/hr

Heavy editing (developmental)
$40-$50/hour

Writing Guidance

We'll negotiate rates per project. This will depend on the size of your project, where you are in the process and how much help you need.

Email us and let's get started!