NEW HEADER

Ahhh, yes, the new Devil’s Party header, here now too.

What’s going on with me these days?

Well, if you follow this rambling blog you know we moved house for the daughter to go to art school, and we’ve resettled, and that I have stopped doing the adjunct thing as part of that, simply because it involves too much driving for Los Angeles, too much driving in general, and too much driving to be able to get the kiddo back and forth to art school, because adjuncts never get to choose their schedules.

This is the “famous” commute I photographed back in the days of free-standing GPS. You can see I start in Maryland on this day, and, in the course of a day, would often have a class at all 5 schools:

Sometimes I would have to get out and wander through a gas station convenience store just to keep from falling asleep.

Often times I was the only car left in the parking lot at the end of the night, because I stayed to help students.

Often I smuggled my daughter in to class when she had off, and college didn’t:

She’s excited here because she doesn’t have to sit in a corner and color and be quiet anymore. Mom is done for the day!

I was always well-reviewed by my schools:

I did a lot for my students, like starting this little free library in my classrooms whenever I could, and soliciting books from friends and neighbors. This one was having its first day of life, so there’s not much there:

Putting in extra effort on my own time and my own dime:

And nominating my students for awards:

And my students really appreciated me, which was great, and I appreciated them too:

(Surprise came in the mail after the semester was over!)

But the schools never did. They really didn’t appreciate me. They gave and took away classes as they saw fit or it suited their budgets. They had me prep and interview for jobs they had already filled. It’s a demoralizing and losing proposition whenever you’re not directly in class with the students, which is a wonderful experience.

And while we do this, adjuncts everywhere, we get less healthy, less wealthy; our cars slowly deteriorate and die, and so, sadly, do we.

At the same time, busy busy, I started a writing workshop, and a publishing company.

AND, all along, I had been editing professionally, starting with doing Fred’s book in 2011.

So, now, we’re taking it pro, Dave and I. We offer services on Reedsy, if you like your services to cost more, or on our site. Great things about us:

Between us we have 40 years in publishing, editing, marketing, and writing.

Between us we’ve edited over 400 short stories and memoirs.

Between us we’ve edited more than 30 full-length books, most of which have gone on to publish and garner awards.

And it’s all there on the same site as our publishing company.

All folks who think they might need editing can get a free sample edit within a few days.

AND we have our unique piece-by-piece editing style, which no none else currently offers, where we work with our authors to truly support them from start to finish. We don’t just edit the whole thing, send it back, and cash the check.

So, you know me, if you follow this blog. I’m kind; I’m giving; I work hard, and I care deeply about every writer I’ve ever worked with. I got the “helper gene,” and, I’d venture to say, I’m actually a bit gifted at adopting another writer’s voice, so I am quite good at spotting inconsistencies or missteps in writing: quickly, confidentially, and expertly.

In addition to all the services DPP now offers, you may just want to subscribe to our newsletter while you’re there, so you can keep up with what we’re doing, see opportunities, and learn about book marketing too.

Thanks so much for your support!