Editorial Services:

“I have benefited so much from having Lynnette critique my manuscripts. Even after going over my own work countless times, her detail-oriented, trained eye always catches things I missed. She’s professional and courteous in her feedback and is a great asset to have in your corner if you want to make your words sparkle.” –Roni Loren, author of EXPOSURE THERAPY published by Berkley Heat, represented by Sara Megibow of the Nelson Literary Agency.

“I’ve had Lynnette Labelle critique my work and found her to be professional and very well organized. Lynnette is a go getter, and if she says she will do something then consider it done. Her crits of my work were consistent and really helped me focus on my weak spots which were grammar and punctuation (those pesky commas.) I look forward to working with Lynnette in the future.”–KC Klein, author of DARK FUTURE published by Avon Impulse, represented by Jill Marshal at Marshal Lyon Agency

“Perhaps it was luck or fate that landed my MS in the skillful hands of Lynnette Labelle. We met at a writer’s conference—one I’d almost forgotten to attend! After seeing what she could do with just a short sample of my work, I sensed my long search for ‘the perfect editor’ might finally come to an end. Now, after having her go over my manuscript, I know I need never look elsewhere for my editing needs. With Lynnette, I was looking for something very focused and specific—improving tension; tightening scenes and prose; crystallizing clarity and resolving any ‘logic fails’. She has respected my vision and my voice, and helped me achieve my goals beyond my expectations. Lynnette brings the perfect balance to the table: honest while still supportive; sincere and enthusiastic; and able to keep the distance needed for objectivity while also carrying the devotion to put heart into her critiques. Everywhere I struggle, Lynnette helps me excel. I will be sending
her my next MS. And the next, and the next…” –Rebecca Hamilton, author of THE FOREVER GIRL, published by Immortal Ink Publishing.

“When I handed my story over to Lynnette, it had already been through several revisions. But it was still missing something. I could not figure it out on my own. Lynnette pointed out the holes and helped me figure out where I’d gone wrong and brainstormed ways to fix it. Before talking with her, I’d decided to shelve the story indefinitely. But now I have renewed hope for it!” –Stephanie Haefner, author of A BITCH NAMED KARMA published by Lyrical Press.

“Lynnette’s got an eagle eye and a fantastic ear for dialogue, so while she can spot a word that’s been used twice in three pages, she can also point out language that sounds unnatural. She’s honest in her criticism but always points out what I’ve done well. Reading her critiques is like sitting next to someone as they read through your story – you
get her reaction as the story unfolds, which is incredibly helpful. Her critiques have been invaluable in helping me tighten my story and inject more realism into my characters.”–Katrina Crew, winner of GDRWA’s Between the Sheets contest, finalist in Alaska
RWA’s Break-up contest

“I love Lynnette Labelle’s editing and critique style. She is both gentle and clear. She’s totally aware that this is your baby. She also knows that we want to make the best impression when it goes out into the world. She can help clarify and focus your writing and your voice. The most important part? She can help you improve your voice and not change it. It’s still you and your voice. She’s like a vocal coach for writers!” –Suzi McGowen, writer

“Lynnette has a great eye for detail. Her thorough critiques have helped streamline and strengthen my stories and broken some of my bad habits. My writing is undoubtedly better thanks to her input.”–Gwen Mitchell, writer of dark paranormals

“After a bad experience with a former editor, I did not want to consider utilizing another editor. My trust was shattered. But things changed for me when I won a five page critique from the lovely Roni Loren and then she helped me out even more by referring me to Lynnette. I decided to trust my instinct that this was a positive move because at this point the rejections were piling up. Lynnette completed a sample critique and that was it. I knew she was the editor for me. Lynnette was patient. She understood my fears and told me
honestly what will best work for me. First, I worked on my GMCs. Lynnette’s positive encouragement helped me grasp the concept. What I adore the most about Lynnette is that she won’t tell me what I want to hear because that won’t improve my craft. I am not going to look backwards. I trust that finally my manuscript is in good hands.” –Keisha Martin, writer

“I found Lynnette through a blog that I follow and I’m so glad I did! She’s one of the best writing resources I’ve found since I began seriously looking into the publication of my work. Lynnette critiqued a sample of my work, and the feedback she gave me was absolutely pivotal to my novel as well as my writing process. Lynnette was thorough and her criticism was completely constructive. I’ve been critiqued before, but I’ve never had such a positive experience as a result. While issues were pointed out with my work, the
suggestions and highlights she offered made me immediately feel like I could move forward in a new and better direction. I look forward to working with her in future and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking editorial guidance!”–Kiera Bryant, writer

“I was getting rejection after rejection-with no idea why. Having Lynnette critique my story was a real eye opener! She critiqued it line by line and didn’t give a “general, blase critique”. Her critique was insightful and pinpointed the problems with my story and she gave wonderful suggestions to help me improve! Definitely a good experience!” –Tamika Spruill, writer

“Lynnette Labelle will help you improve your manuscript. Her critique is detailed, courteous, and spot on. Her suggestions will enhance your work but keep true to your own unique voice and plan for your manuscript. Lynnette worked with me to customize the level of editorial feedback I wanted. The results were amazing. When I have another manuscript ready, she will be my editor of choice.” – Heather Starnes, writer

“I highly recommend anyone looking to sharpen their writing submit here.”–Angela
McCallister, writer

“Lynnette was able to point out my blind spots in a direct, professional manner. She balanced her critique with what worked and offered suggestions for what didn’t. Now I know where to add description, clarify action, and develop characterization. I’d definitely want to consult with her again!” –Laura Diamond, writer

“Lynnette performed a sample edit for me on my manuscript. I was pleased with her attention to detail but more how she pointed out the areas where my voice came through. She balanced her edits by showing my need areas as well as my strengths. Utilizing her suggestions, I can do a rewrite and come away with a stronger piece.”–Terri Tiffany, writer

“Thank you so much for your thorough critique, Lynnette! I’ve already started to make changes based on your excellent suggestions.” –Nicole Zoltack, writer

“Lynnette, thanks so much for the critique. The thing that amazed me the most is that I pride myself in being a natural born proofreader–but this was an early draft and I could not believe the REPETITIONS I missed (i.e., the same words used over again in a short space of writing). You also pointed out stylistic concerns as well that are really valid. Your comments were really helpful–thanks again!” –Miranda Liasson, writer

“Lynnette’s sharp eye and strong editing skills will help you get that polished look publishers are looking for.” –Kim Hruba, writer

 

 

Query Letters and Synopses:

“Recently, I won a query critique from Lynnette. She requested I send my main character’s goals, motivations, and conflicts along with the proposed query. I hadn’t thought of writing the query from quite this angle, and the request made me look at my query, and my characters in a new light. Lynnette pointed out weaknesses in voice and character plots I needed to add to the revision. Her feedback and assistance has enabled me to construct a concise, viable query. Working with Lynnette has been a satisfying experience, and I
hope to retain her services for a novel critique in the future.” –Donna Hole, writer

“Lynnette was kind enough to critique my query on her blog, offering two rounds of helpful feedback. Her critiques were clear and incredibly thorough. She helped strengthen the query’s weak spots, further improve the parts that were already fairly strong, and
craft a better hook. Her questions and suggestions were framed constructively, making it especially easy for me to take full advantage of her insights. My query benefited from her expertise, and I’m excited to share the enhanced query with agents.” –Josh Trapani, writer

“When I won a query critique with Lynnette Labelle, my first thought was Yes, she’ll whip my first query letter into shape. My second thought was Oh, no, she’s going to see my first attempt at a query letter. She requested my novel’s GMCs (character’s goals, motivations, and conflicts) and the query. After several starts, I wrote and sent. Lynnette and I had a few conversations about the GMCs. When the query letter was posted, I must admit I
feared to look, but it was awesome. Lynnette is kind, thoughtful, but tough. She told me what was working, what wasn’t. She gave me options and requested a rewrite and resend for an additional critique. She took the scary process of writing a query and helped me create one I think is strong and represents my novel’s voice and what it is about. If you ever get a chance to have Lynnette critique your query or manuscript, jump at it.”      –Cherie Reich, writer

“Lynnette’s critique was amazing. She’s clear, detailed, and when she points out a problem, she explains why it doesn’t work. For my query, she said I needed to explain the goal, motivation and challenges and it felt like something unlocked. Suddenly, I understood how to make a query work! I am eternally grateful for her advice.” –Jeanne Fritz, writer

“Lynnette’s critiques have been instrumental in the cumbersome, query-writing process. I have yet to disagree or disregard any of her suggestions. I feel a lot more confident about what I am sending to agents and publishers.” –Holly Vance, writer

 

Classes/Workshops:

“Thinking like an editor isn’t easy, but it’s what gets authors published. Hooks are important to editors and readers alike, so why is it that some writers catch our attention, while others don’t? Taking Lynnette Labelle’s ‘Hook, Line, and Sinker’ course teaches you how to look critically at your writing, and ask specific questions to see if your manuscript really hooks! Lynnette breaks down the mechanics of a solution and shows how best to
implement it for maximum effect.

“This student learned that hooks are living, breathing, three-dimensional things that come in different guises. I enjoyed Lynnette’s down-and-dirty analyses of what works (and how to implement some of this good stuff into my own novel), as well as what doesn’t. I found that the course examines some obvious and not-so-obvious pitfalls in a writer’s quest to hold her reader’s attention, not just in that all-important opening line but
throughout the book.

“The lessons are clear, straightforward, and effective, and are packed with extensive use of examples from well-known authors. Even homework is enjoyable, consisting of focused exercises that are lesson-appropriate. It involved dealing as much with my own writing as reading other students’ excerpts. I found this course to be a safe place in which to
post my excerpts, and each student received personalised, detailed help in return.

“With solid advice and clearly-explained techniques that can be applied to your manuscript right now, ‘Hook, Line, and Sinker’ is a must for all writers who are serious about getting and staying published.” –Nicola McKenna, writer

“Lynnette’s Hook, Line & Sinker is a great course that gives a good grounding in the tools you need to keep a reader hooked on your book. She make sense, and gives good examples of the terms you hear all the time from other writing instructors. The difference with Hook, Line & Sinker is you understand it at the end. She also shows you with the samples of your own work when she not only tells you where it’s weak, but offers solid
ideas on how to make it better. If you’re serious about your writing this course is more than worth it.” –GK Parker, author, http://gkparkernoir.com

“Thank you for a wonderful workshop. The amount of information I have learnt here surpasses all the other classes and books I have used. I liked the way you facilitated information. (In my day job, I teach high school chemistry, and I know how easily students
lose interest.) I am a logical sequential learner, and your instruction style appealed to my learning style. Your lessons were organized and feedback honest and prompt. And you didn’t make us buy gazillion books, but made us re-read the books we liked and used those as examples instead. Very difficult for an instructor to keep up with all different readings from the students. I absolutely enjoyed every single lesson and assignment including
interacting with others in this group.” –Ushma Kothari, writer

“I have taken many, many online classes and this one was extremely valuable. Your expertise and teaching style were a perfect mix. The assignments were very doable and even enjoyable. This class came at the perfect time for me and I think what I have learned was one of the vital missing links for me. I wish you offered more classes. Again, thanks for a great class.” –Suzanne Purvis, writer

“Your approach and format were the best I have seen in RWA. By that I mean, setting up the topic, reviewing published and favorite work as examples, having participants submit WIP examples, and then editing them. The final step, reviewing other people’s
submissions, just added frosting to the cupcake.” –Katina Drennan, writer

“From a former teacher’s perspective, your notes are clear, concise and to the point. I have taught a multitude of methods classes to young aspiring teachers and your work is spot
on. I have learned A LOT and I like the way you explain the hooking process, give examples (you can tell I’m a math geek)…………and the lessons: finding examples in what has been read plus applying the context of what you’ve had put out to model and react to is great.” –Laurie Bumpus, writer

“Lynnette’s class - Hook, Line and Sinker is a course all aspiring and experienced authors should take. It opened my eyes as to how many ways and in how many places we need to “hook” our readers, constantly striving to keep them engaged and coming back for more.
Lynnette uses a structured and logical approach of enjoyable exercises to demonstrate strong and not-so-strong hooks, and then takes the time to reply to each student on their own projects. She provides prompt feedback, suggestions and encouragement. This class has definitely helped me to identify where I need to make improvements. Thanks for a great course Lynnette.” –Elizabeth Lang, writer

“I thoroughly enjoyed taking the Hook, Line, and Sinker writing class from Ms. Lynnette Labelle. The lessons were intriguing—using original material—and easy to understand. The examples were relevant to the lesson, and directions for completing the assignments were uncomplicated, needing very little time to accomplish. I liked having the interaction with both the instructor and the participating classmates. This was a class that I would take again, or a similar one; and I highly recommend it to any writer, beginners and
advanced alike.” –Donna Hole, writer

 

Non-Fiction:

“When I was looking for an editor to look at my manuscript, it took me a while to find someone I was comfortable with. I kept reading reviews and bio of editors from their websites and blogs. I actually got to know Lynnette from a link in an email I got. Initially she was the last in the list I put down. First of all, I kind of thought she was just a fiction
editor and my manuscript was a non-fiction. While sending out chapters of my manuscripts to potential editors for sample edits, I included her anyway. When the test edits came back, she awed me. Her work stood out. Her insight into my thoughts and unbiased critique of both language and ideas were vital to me and would be to any author. I had not choice but to stay with her. She’s the one who helped to bring these essays into publishable form. I’ll surely come back to Lynnette over and over again and highly recommend her to any author.” –Kwabena Amponsah-Manager, PhD, author