~Bernice L. McFadden, author of Sugar and Glorious
[website]
Shonell's work was truly a gift to me. She thoroughly and professionally edited my manuscript within the promised timeframe. Her review of the work was insightful. In addition to fixing grammer, Shonell pointed out several places where my manuscript could be improved (to be clearer to the reader) and even provided concrete suggestions for how. Shonell being a writer herself made the whole experience easy.
~Rachel Coyne, author of Whiskey Heart
Shonell provides expert editing services that can take any book to the next level. I have always left inspired and seeing my written words in a refreshed way. She is personable and pays attention to those little details. Shonell met my expectations (they are usually ridiculously high). I have used her services more than once and have never regretted it. I look forward to her being a part of my growing team.
~Maryann Reid, Award-winning author and TV/radio social commentator
Shonell has provided editing services for two books with Branchrystine Publishing. In doing so, she enabled the author to assemble a well thoughtout manuscript, challenging the author to answer the 5 W's of Who, What, When, Why, Where to make certain the reader would have a coherent portrayal of the storyline. Shonell's provided consistent, constructive criticism to create improved writing habits in future manuscripts. She completed the project ahead of schedule, providing a comprehensive overview on the quality of manuscript, what a reader may interpret from manuscript, and meticulous corrections, suggestions on subject-verb agreements, grammar and punctuation. I plan to continue to use her services in future endeavors.
~Tyrenna Tolbert, author of Who's Got Skills
Thank you, Ms. Shonell Bacon, for breathing life into my manuscript. I found your editorial services to be both professional and cost efficient. Your quick turnaround time is also a plus. With your expertise, I expect great things from my novel From Hard to Hallelujah! I'll be calling you for the next one and the next one and the next one. God's Blessings, Lela Gholar Tizano
Shon Bacon is more than just an editor, she is an educator. In working with her as the editor on my project, I not only have a professional and polished product, she has also helped me to grow and stretch as a writer by giving me detailed and honest feedback, asking open ended questions, and providing tools, resources and suggestions. Her prices are beyond reasonable in that they are affordable and competitive and I feel like she offers far more than most who charge higher prices.
I highly recommend her to any author that is looking for editing services because she is fast, efficient, thorough, and professional, and she operates in excellence by going above and beyond an already high standard of work.
~Monica Marie Jones, M.S.W — Author and Motivational Speaker
It has been a complete honor and blessing to have Shōn Bacon help my work POP! This is my first time having a book of mine edited. I must say that we, my publisher LadyElle Publishing and I, love the constructive input and we are satisfied with the good edit. I would love to work with her again on my future projects.
~Niyah Moore, contributing author of Mocha Chocolate: Taste a Piece of Ecstasy, Chocolat Historie D’Amour, and Seduction. Coming soon, debut novel, Bittersweet Exes
ChickLitGurrl aka Shon Bacon is a life saver. She’s great at what she does and is willing to rearrange her schedule to help a desperate writer. Shōn comes highly recommended. I look forward to working with her on my future projects.
~Donneil D. Jackson, authoress of Chante’s Song
Many emerging authors need someone to take them by the hand and help them with editing, proofreading, and developing their storylines. Many folks say that they are editors but don’t have the skills or the education to support their talk. But Shonell Bacon has both…the skills and the credentials. That’s why when authors approach me regarding an editor, I immediately recommend Shonell Bacon as she is talented, creative, and an excellent wordsmith. Looking for an editor or a gifted writer, look no further than Shonell Bacon. Her work is superb and her rates are reasonable.
~Yasmin Coleman, founder of APOOO Books
This lady has SKILLS! Shon, thank you for the wonderful editing; your work is the best.
~Stella, author of The Bridge of No Return (and TRIO and Swing Lowe Sweet Chariote, due out SOON!
It’s always a pleasure to work with Shon Bacon. Her keen insight to story structure and the writing market are invaluable. Her work ethic is supreme, and I never hesitate to solicit her advice.
~Samara King, author, poet, radio host
[website]
Shon Bacon offers more than quality editing-she offers much-needed insight and constructive criticism that aides new and established authors in honing their crafts.
I am extremely pleased with her editing and commentary regarding my upcoming novel, Cost of Our Affairs, and I highly recommend her services!
~Linda R. Herman, author
Shonell Bacon is a great editor. She is completely professional, timely, and efficient. This is my first novel, and I can honestly say that she has assisted me to grow as an author. She is patient and will explain to you in detail why she feels that her suggestions will enhance the manuscript. I just love her.
~Ni’cola, author of Over and Over Again
Shonell Bacon is Proactive, Productive and Professional. Ms. Bacon is a true blessing to the literary world. Her direct and thorough approach to editing allows the author a candid retrospective into their novel. Shonell incorporates recommendations, options and understanding of the novel via her editorial services. Shonell Bacon is a diamond in the rough.
~Sharmina T. Ellis, Vice President, 5ive Star Publications
[website]
Shon's editorial skills reflect consistency as she has a keen eye for detail to go along with her knowledge of the English language. Bearing the understanding of a novel's fluidity, her constructive criticism boosted my perspective of polishing my work more efficiently. Even when two hurricanes rocked Southeastern Texas and her home-base of Louisiana in the same month, she still managed to communicate with me in regards to finishing the edits to my novel. That's the epitome of dedication and professionalism.
~King Dhakir, author of I Hate My Job
[website]
Writing my first manuscript wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. But it was harder to write it than it was to find the perfect editor, who I felt I could trust my baby with. Shon Bacon handled my manuscript with care. Any suggestions she made she supplied comments and notes as to why she felt the change was necessary. She asked me questions that made me think - the kind of questions that if you can’t come up with a quick answer then most likely what’s questioned in the manuscript didn't really need to be there. She told me what would and wouldn’t work while allowing my story to still be my story.
During the time Shon was working on my manuscript, a natural disaster changed her timeline as to when she would return the edits to me; however, she kept me in the know and actually finished right on time. I didn’t feel as if she rushed and over looked anything, and because of her thoroughness, I now have a better-paced and fluid manuscript to submit to publishers. Her fees are inexpensive, but her advice and edits are priceless. I would and will definitely use Shon again in the future.
~JC Martin aka Jennifer Coissiere, author of Crossing Over
[website]
I have had the pleasure of working with Shonell on numerous projects that have paid off with huge dividends. Her approach, eye for detail, and professionalism have landed me an agent, and my novels have caught the eye of a mainstream publisher. Also working with her, I have won several writing awards. Her editing is second to none. I enjoy working with her. I look forward to working with her in the future, and I gladly recommend her services.
~Sammie Ward, author, founder of Lady Leo Publishing
[LLP Website]
I met Shon through MySpace, and I have to say that now I am a true believer of Divine Intervention. Working with Shon has been one of the greatest blessings in my writing career; she is direct, inquisitive, and genuinely interested in your story. She asks questions about the direction the story is going (often they are things I didn't even think about and if she hadn't asked certain things in my story, they would've gone unanswered). Since working with her, my latest manuscript got picked up by a publisher after one month of sending out query letters. She is affordable and incredibly fast; I've never known an editor that works as fast as Shon does. Honestly, I can go on and on about how amazing Shon is, but you'll just have to try her services out for yourself.
~Liz DeJesus, author and poet
[http://liz-dejesus.livejournal.com]
Shon Bacon edited my novel, Project Queen. After applying her changes and suggestions, I was able to gain a new publisher. Once again, Shon seemed to have sensed my writing style/personality very keenly and maintained the integrity of that style during editing. This definitely sets her apart from all the rest!
~T. D. Patterson, author of Project Queen
I hired Shonell Bacon to proofread my debut novel, Strawberry Mansion: A Philadelphia Story, and the care, skill, and professionalism she applied to my manuscript really made it shine! Shonell is an asset to every aspiring author's arsenal!
~Julia Press Simmons, author
[www.QueenMidasBooks.com]
Shonell listened as I developed a new book and was a great sounding board through the process. When it was time to edit the book, she assisted me in making the appropriate edits and making the book stronger.
Top qualities: Personable, Good Value, High Integrity
~Yasmin Shiraz, award-winning author and filmmakker
[website]
Shon Bacon is an amazing editor. She is very pleasant, easy to work with, professional, and understands the writer's and publisher's needs. I am extremely satisfied with the work she has done for me. I now have a clean submission-ready manuscript, and Ms. Bacon has everything to do with that. I look forward to working with her in the future.
~Darnetta Frazier, a spoken word artist, novelist, and reviewer for APOOO
Shon Bacon edited the manuscript of my first novel. She corrected many areas including verb tenses, spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. As a result, the story is a much "smoother" read.
Shon also made personal notes as she edited the script. She questioned certain areas where she felt improvements to the story could be made. I agreed with all of her recommendations.
Shon used the "track changes" feature on Microsoft Word so I could easily see the corrections she made, and I could also accept or reject each change. This made it very easy for me to review.
In summary, I recommend Shon Bacon for all editing, and I intend on hiring her to edit my second novel.
Please visit my website or MySpace page noted below should you wish to see Shon's work. The first few chapters of my novel The Back of My Mind are listed on both sites.
~Steven Payette, author of the Trevor Samuels Mysteries
[website]
Shon Bacon's uncanny ability to integrate mastery of the English language with supreme innateness in identifying artistic literacy is unparalleled in the editing industry. She is the epitome of 'perfect balance' with regards to being a grammatical sharp shooter and connoisseur of creative wordsmithing. 'Ultimate satisfaction' is the most common phrase utilized when describing Shon's work
~Marc Lacy, author, poet of The Looking Heart, Rock & Fire, and Wretched Saints
[website]
Thanks to Shon Bacon, I know that my second book is ready for publication. She did more than catch errors with grammar and punctuation, but she actively responded to the manuscript. She weighed in on the parts of the book that weighed the overall story down with the camping versus marching technique. I know that camping versus marching will be very helpful with my writing in the future. She knows her stuff and what works versus what does not work for a text as well as the target demographic. Thanks to her editing, I am able to grow as a writer.
She promised that she would deliver my edits within a set time frame, but actually finished ahead of schedule. With Shon as your editor, she will communicate with you throughout the process and really work with you to make your manuscript better. Her critique strengthened the story and me as a writer. I feel confident that I will use her again for my other writing projects.
~Carla Sarratt, author of Freshman Focus and Just Be
Shon's service was awesome (and affordable). I got my manuscript back in the time she told me I would, and the comments were just what I was looking for
~Raenice Weakly
Some people don't believe in Divine Providence, but I do. How else could I explain making a connection with a sharp, knowledgeable, and compassionate person such as Shon Bacon just at the right time. You cannot go wrong by engaging Ms. Bacon in your next writing project. That manuscript that you thought was finished---not so--not until Ms Bacon gives her stamp of approval
~Emma J. Wisdom, author of six books and dozens of other writings Nashville, TN
Having an editor to review your work is valuable because they see things that we may miss, but having an educated, skilled, and talented talent editor Like Shon Bacon is even more valuable. As a writer, she understands us, and as an editor she knows her stuff
~Telishia Berry
I have known Shon for a few years now, and it’s kind of funny how we met. I was on the internet looking up black authors, found her name, and went to her webpage. There, I started reading her bio, her works, and I fell in love with her writing, and the way she makes her characters sing. I was in the middle of my first novel and sent her an email. We quickly started chatting, then I asked her if she didn’t mind reading my work. About a week later, I asked if she’d take me on as a client. I’m so grateful because she did! Shon is the type of editor who challenges her friends/clients to want to be better writers, and to also make each sentence better than the last. She helped transform my novel Gotta Be Destiny into a wonderful masterpiece, and for that I’m grateful
~Karamel Brown, author of Gotta Be Destiny
Where do I begin? I am so excited to tell this story because it's truly a blessing to have met Ms. Shon!
So, it all started with receiving my VERY first copy of my book in the mail, and I was not satisfied. I wasn't happy with the cover, nor was I that excited about the novel itself. I wanted to tell a story that would move and inspire and definitely write a story that young ladies could relate to. I had the passion, had the right idea, but didn't really feel confident in putting my novel out there. I immediately stopped the publishers from making the book available to sell and decided to work on it some more, but how was I going to do this thing right one more time and make it just as good as the first time?? I knew my novel needed something. What? Well, I was reading over it three and fours times a day, changing this and that, leaving it alone for a while, and starting at it again. God knew a sista was through and needed some help! And He sent some.
I was sitting at the kitchen table talking to my mommy. Every now and then, I'll glance at the newspaper. So on this particular day, I was all into the news and there I spotted a section dedicated to Shonell Bacon. As I was reading, I discovered she was a published author. But what really hit me on the head was homegirl was an English professor at the university I was intending at the time. I was all smiles, knowing that God had carefully orchestrated everything to my advantage. I immediately was drawn to her because for one, she was a black woman! I know that may sound bland, but it's not everyday you run into black professors at this university. She had the juice, the knowledge, and I just knew that I would be able to relate to her without any doubt. I made sure I put that newspaper in my backpack for class the next day and after classes, Shon’s office would be my final destination.
I was a bit nervous to meet her, but as soon as I walked in, I felt very comfortable. There was good energy. She seemed just as shy as I was. I don't remember every word we exchanged, but I do know that she was friendly and humble; she had that girlfriend vibe that us sistas use to flow (chit chat). I told her how I found her, and she was very appreciative that I took the time to let her know that. I asked her to look over my novel for me, and she gladly obliged. There was no, can you bring it another time? I'm busy. She was delighted to help another sista out.
I have a better outlook on writing after Shon pointed out some things to me. I had a sense of contentment with myself and my writing style. I didn't feel as if I had to be so typical and common with my writing. Although I did have a lot to say, I didn't really feel safe with putting my feelings out like that without feeling vulnerable. After the reassurance and motivation, I was able to get out of that shell and write from the heart. Writers are supposed to touch, heal, and inspire, and I had to tell the truth and be honest with the words.
I was so glad I put that book on hold so that I could do just that. We all can use a little help from time to time, and I'm still growing as a writer, but Shon has been more than just help, she's a good friend, and I'm so happy to have connected with her. I would love to work with her again
~Gia Bellard, author of What My Heart Says
