Lara M. Zeises is the author of several award-winning novels for young adults, including Bringing Up the Bones (2002), Contents Under Pressure (2004), and Anyone But You (2005), all through Delacorte Press. In addition, Lara writes what she calls “brainy chick lit with soul” under the pseudonym Lola Douglas for Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin/Putnam.

As of September 2006, Lara will be offering a professional novel editing service. She has worked closely as a critique partner for several successful YA authors, including Laurie Faria Stolarz (of the best-selling Blue is for Nightmares series (Llewellyn, 2003-), Kim Ablon Whitney (See You Down the Road (Knopf, 2004)), and Tea Benduhn (Gravel Queen (Simon & Schuster, 2003)). She’s also mentored student authors who’ve gone on to sign contracts with major imprints, like Wendy Lamb Books, and one who was recently awarded the prestigious Writer-in-Residency at the Boston Public Library.

Lara’s service will include:

– in-depth line edits
– an overall analysis of the project
– suggested game plan for revision/improvement
– critique of query and/or synopsis
– recommended reading list
– guidance in terms of finding an agent and/or a publisher

The cost for this personalized attention is $3 per properly formatted, double-spaced manuscript page. Re-reads of the reworked project will be offered at a substantial discount. Authors who’ve worked with Lara will receive a $50 discount toward the online revision workshop Lara team-teaches with Laurie Faria Stolarz.

Although she prefers to work with full manuscripts, Lara would consider editing a partial manuscript if the project is far enough along and the premise interests her.

For more information about Lara and her work, visit her on the Web. You may also want to review her blog.