Dot and Dash
Expert Author Services for Women
DOT AND DASH SERVICES
BOOK EDITING
We offer a range of manuscript-editing packages so you can get the exact type and level of copy editing you want. Our specialties are romance, women's fiction, fantasy, science fiction, young adult, and business nonfiction, but we have edited just about every genre and subgenre you can imagine. Plus, we offer a free sample edit so you can get a feel for our editing style.
AUTHOR COACHING
With author coaching, we help writers through all phases of book writing and beyond, by offering publishing and marketing advice, as well. With a mix of worksheets and one-on-one education, we'll help you plan your novel and start chapter one. Then when there are any writer's blocks or need for accountability help, we'll be there, too.
BETA READING
Beta Reading takes a big-picture view of your manuscript and focuses on analyzing the major factors, such as plot, characters, setting, and dialogue. At the end, your Beta Reader will give you your personalized Beta Reader Report with their feedback and findings. This is a good opportunity to get quality, actionable advice earlier in the writing process.
SENSITIVITY READING
Sensitivity reading (also called "authenticity reading" and "diversity reading") is a type of manuscript evaluation that checks whether characters are portrayed with authenticity and respect and ensures books avoid harmful stereotypes and problematic language.
Dot and Dash Sensitivity Readers have worked on multiple books for a Big Five publisher and a major children's and YA publisher. Rest assured we have the expertise you need.
SOCIAL MEDIA & AUTHOR PLATFORM
To attract an audience, it's vital authors make sure they are providing the best information in the best way. We'll review your author website, Amazon author page, and social media profiles. Then we'll create a report with action steps you can take right away to leverage your online presence and get you and your book in front of readers and in their feeds. We can also edit your social media posts to ensure they are free of errors and typos.
SPEAKING & TRAINING
Are you looking for a speaker, panelist, or workshop presenter for your conference, class, or writing group? We speak about writing, the writing life, book editing, publishing, and social media, and we're eager to discuss how we can help your group.
Dot and Dash empowers women and nonbinary writers through positive-minded and collaborative author services so they can meet their publishing dreams.
—Erin Servais
Founder, Dot and Dash, LLC
Who we are: Dot and Dash is a group of experienced, women publishing professionals with a desire to help other women and nonbinary folks get their voices heard and their books read. We hold certificates in editing and social media, are published writers, and know what we're doing, so you can trust us with your book baby. We're based in the United States and Canada and can edit in both American English and Canadian English.
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What you can expect: At Dot and Dash, compassion, kindness, and connection are our core values, right along with precision and accuracy. You'll get high-quality work, and we'll treat you with respect. Don't worry—we won't make you feel bad if you use a semicolon in the wrong way. Plus, we'll be there, keeping you updated and answering your questions all along the way, and well beyond, because we care about the people who work with us. We'll do our best work possible so you can get your best book possible.
Testimonials: Take a look at what our clients are saying about us.
I always joke that Erin Servais of Dot and Dash was the best thing I ever found on Twitter! As a USA Today best-selling author and a former book editor for New York Times, USA Today, and international best-selling authors, let's just say I am *super* picky about who edits my own books. But Erin is hands down the only editor I've found who knows her craft so precisely, but also understands and respects the writer's unique voice without losing it along the way. Erin is easy to work with, has an amazing gift, and is worth every single penny.
—C. M. Albert
Erin worked with me to edit my third Covert Passions book: Before the Fall. She'll be getting books 4 & 5 when they're done because the experience was wonderful. Not only was her work punctual and professional, but she contributed to the process with suggestions and positive feedback. Critical input was delivered with blunt but kind precision.
—Becky Flade
Erin did an edit of my YA novel and provided excellent feedback. Her explanations were clear about both the things that were working and the things that were not, and she gave constructive comments about how passages could be better. On top of all that, she is a consummate professional with regard to deadlines and communication. I will definitely use her again.
—Jay Montville
Erin is not only an inspiring, encouraging, and badass woman, she is also an incredible editor who was extremely thorough and in depth. She noticed things I would have never seen and her report blew my mind. She turned my mess into a masterpiece. She is truly one of a kind!
—Alisha Perkins
Erin is the editor authors dream to meet but seldom do. She is thorough, knowledgeable, and intuitive. Her gifted ability to polish our language and punctuation is like adding jewelry to that little black dress. Her professional touch naturally makes the written word sparkle.
—Jo Ann Glim
I purchased the Dot and Dash Beta-Reader Pro, and it was one of the best choices I made for my writing. The Dusty Garden is my first women’s fiction novel. I wanted feedback from a professional who specialized in the genre. I could not be happier with the results. The report I received went into detail about where to improve and what to keep. This service saved me from months of frustration and time on my first revision. I looked at it as an affordable investment that will save me money when I send it to an editor. Jacquelynn did an amazing job. I plan on staying with Dot and Dash throughout all my editing needs.
—Lisa Coy
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