Testimonials from authors who have used Julie's services.
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I've eaten a big slice of humble pie, and so glad I did.
I was REALLY nervous about giving (book title withheld) to a stranger. I spent nearly a year writing and already gotten a mix of comments from BETA readers and volunteers whose range of feedback varied so widely that my confidence was left pretty much bruised.
Julie was recommended by another writer, but the thought of my story being placed under another microscope did not sit comfortable with me. I'm not gonna lie. This process was no walk in the park. I pushed back against Julie's suggestions and advice about how to improve the flow and clarity and getting to grips with "information dumping" on my character backstory (a term I'd not heard of before).
Julie's approach and explanations were always clear, sometimes firm, but always kind. The "firm" bit was really hard, but I 110% needed to hear it. Julie was also willing to "give and take" with the process (within reason 🤣), which I appreciate.
I struggled with accepting some parts of my writing were just a bunch of too many words. Sure, I loved stringing them together but could not see how my choices prevented the flow and clarity. Letting go of sections that I'd spent hours pouring my blood, sweat, and tears over was freakin' hard! 🤣 I doggedly hung on by my fingernails to some descriptions that I had painstakingly created, so HOW DARE Julie sift out my adjectives and (particularly) adverbs, suggesting that they weren’t all as effective or necessary as I'd thought?! 🤣
And if Julie starts talking about creating "layers of onion skins," needing to filter for the "nuance" and "subtlety," take heed! 🤣 And if she asks, "Is this part really necessary?" take it out like a toothache! 🤣 Her knowledge and expertise were spot on.
I see now that I needed help with when and how to trim down and refine back to the bones. But ya know what? Once I'd nursed my bruised ego and started to strip things back, I saw a really smart transformation happening.
I've eaten a big slice of humble pie, and I'm so glad I did. My book has just been accepted by a publisher! 🙏
Carys
(Copyediting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Above and beyond.
Julie's very patient & will explain in detail when you don't understand something. She isn't condescending & won't force her opinion or voice on your manuscript. She offers suggestions, but doesn't have a 'my way or else' attitude. She's open to discussion & compromises. She'll email when/if she has questions to clarify confusion issues in real time instead of waiting until the end.
She's kind.
I feel she went above & beyond for my story because she fell in love with my MCs & their journeys to a HEA. (She probably loves all the stories she reads --- but let me have my moment! lol)
K. Jenkins
(Copyediting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ More than just copyediting!
I have used Julie before. My (now #1 Amazon best-selling) book was expertly edited and fine-tuned to make it a far better version. Game changer. Julie's kindness, expertise, and patience set the bar. I asked for copyediting, but she wound up supporting my journey a whole bunch more than just copyediting.
(Copyediting / Formatting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Money well worth spending
From the start, Julie has been a support and guide for me. She knows her work and creates mastery from brilliance.
This has been a process of learning valuable lessons that has helped me to write my second manuscript—far better than if I had been on my own. Thank you, it looks incredible. Money well worth spending. Your words of encouragement and the lift you have given me brought tears of joy.
Isabel Eden
(Copyediting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Her expertise was invaluable
Julie worked with me through editing, formatting, and cover design. The process was tailored, professional, collaborative, and personal. The entire experience was inclusive and informative. I learned a lot. Her expertise was invaluable, her desire to produce the best product possible was evident in her willingness to go the extra mile.
Darbe Ennly
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 100% recommend
I love the work Julie did turning my writing project into a real book! I love the formatting and I love, love the editing she did! My story now reads seamlessly! I 100% recommend Julie's services!
Sarah Urrutia
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Julie was so generous with sharing her knowledge
Julie has been nothing but professional, creative and fair priced in her work. She came up with a wonderful, and intriguing book art cover before we sat down to discuss ideas. It was right on. So easy to work with, and such a pleasure as well. This being my first publication Julie guided me patiently and was so generous with sharing her vast knowledge of publishing. I look forward to doing my sequels with her. Thank you Julie!
M.Schwarc
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ VERY PROFESSIONAL
Julie was very professional in all aspects of her work ... and we were able to very successfully collaborate to format the finished publication, complete and produce a finished and personalised publication to complete satisfaction!
Thank You Julie ... I could not have done it without your extensive knowledge and very professional co-operation, and understanding of what I wanted to achieve with this publication! 🤗
Nyika G
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly, efficient, easy to work with
Julie designed the cover of my novel and I was very happy with her work and the finished design. She is friendly, efficient, easy to work with and I would definitely recommend her.
K.L. Hollis
(Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ You can expect from Julie both a voice and a ready ear
I certainly would recommend. As well as a scrupulous and swift reading of my text, Julie maintained contact with me every time I needed it, and at times when I did not realise I needed it. I was particularly grateful for her firm but careful observations on paragraphing and structure, as well as ensuring that the general thrust of the book was maintained. You can expect from Julie both a voice and a ready ear: she is always ready to exchange views and observations, having a clear policy herself while acknowledging - after discussion - that the ultimate authority lies, naturally, with the author.
A. Holbourn
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is what pulls you out of the pack and sets you above other editors.
Aiming to involve the author in the process, with some kind of growth and learning for the them is what pulls you out of the pack and sets you above other editors. The end product is important to you as well as leaving the author with helpful knowledge! I commend you! I like this analysis and the comments. This is a an added business feature you offer. Very sharp. Well done! I like the extra time you take to delve in and THEN explain. Brilliant!
M.S.
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thank you for that extra shine.
The editor is the gas for your car, the milk in your milkshake, and that most important final ingredient. Lots of frustration and tears are shed, but the product in the end will shine.
There are times you are fortunate enough to stumble upon someone with the skills you require to succeed. To my cover artist, editor, author par excellence, and friend, Julie Forester. We’ve done it again! Thank you for giving me numerous suggestions, and fixing my countless commas, listening to my fears and accomplishments, and encouraging me.
The patience you continue to show me and the countless offers of assistance leave me so grateful and appreciative, and for teaching me that ‘authors do help authors.’ There is true blood and tears in putting together a book and polishing it. Thank you, Julie, for that extra shine.
Michaela.Vitz.
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10 recommend
Julie is friendly, flexible, very accommodating and very easy to work with. I've recommended her to other authors. It's super-helpful that she has the ability to cover all three aspects of the publishing process. She did the editing, formatting and proofread my story and she totally interpreted the vision for the book cover. She even took time to send me some super-helpful notes to help with my character point of view. Skilled and talented. Thank you.
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It seems that nothing is too much trouble
I agree with all the comments on here. It seems that nothing is too much trouble. It was a genuine pleasure working with Julie. She was so helpful and patient with all my weird and wonderful questions. My next task is to get her to do the cover and editing for my next book.
Daniele
(Copyediting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ a great mix of humor and professionlism in her approach
A positive experience. Julie has a great mix of humor and professionalism in her approach. She totally understood the flavor of my "friends-to-lovers" story, and she tidied up my (numerous) scrappy, long-winded sentences, and offered some great alternative words and descriptions. I hadn't even realized I was missing commas in speech until now. (HAHA!) I would 100% recommend.
Cat
(Copyediting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I wish I'd found Julie sooner
Great value for money. Efficient, friendly, and accomodating. Her "try me first" offer was the hook that drew me in. MY ONLY COMPLAINT? I wish I'd found Julie sooner for my first three books!
T. Walker
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My previous experience with editing was not like this.
Your thorough and detailed editing -- surely many of your comments touched on developmental and proof editing? -- was so helpful. The time and feedback you gave was more than "just" copyediting. The extra touches of personalised advice and support was excellent. Over and above. My previous "conveyor belt" experience of working with an editor was not like this. I'm certainly not complaining, but your prices can't match your input time?
(Copyediting / Formatting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A huge help
Julie was so easy to work with. I have booked use her services again and surely recommend her work.
The bookworm
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recommend trying Julie's sample edit first.
Definitely try Julie's sample edit first. It was this that helped me to decide she was right for me and my book. For me, it was important to have an editor that would empathise with my lesfic genre. She gave me such a lot of helpful advice and tips to improve my writing that it felt like a masterclass.
MsLane
(Copyediting / Formatting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is my second book with Julie
It's 100% recommend from me. Julie has knowledge, skill and patience in abundance. She made the experience enjoyable, and I've learned so much from her expertise. She was critically positive with her comments and her edits made my stories so much more polished and well orgnised than when I handed them over. My third book is headed her way.
Copyediting / Formatting / Cover art
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ GREAT SERVICE. BOOK 2
Julie edited and formatted two of my books. This recommendation adds in agreement to the other reviews on her website. She has been consistently supportive and accommodating. I didn't feel pushed or rushed - which was important to me.
Julie's (numerous!) comments and critical assessment of my draft manuscript were quite an eye-opener, and l've improved on my own writing thanks to this.
For sure, by the time I'd gotten sent my finished copies, Julie had covered way more than copyediting.
My next manuscript is already in her inbox. ;)
(Copyediting / Formatting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent!
Excellent. Highly recommended. Ms Forester could be charging more for the service that she provides.
(Copyediting print book / Print book (sleeve) cover)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The artwork is exactly on point
Thank you. A very supportive service. Julie goes out of her way to make everything as easy as possible. The formatting looks good and I adore my cover. The artwork is exactly on point for my (soon to be released) thriller. Her prices are very fair for the excellent service she offers. I will certainly be back with my next book.
Lin Davis
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another book done!
I would totally recommend. You are certainly refreshingly different and supportive compared to other editor services I have experienced. Another book done under your watch and I am super-happy. Thank you.
MsWordsmith
(Copyediting / Formatting)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Helpful and generous
Dear Julie,
You have been so helpful and generous with your time and patience. Thank you for helping me, answering all my emails and questions so quickly, and creating a wonderful edit and putting together my final book.
Kate
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An easy yes from me.
A smooth, friendly and accommodating service. I have learned so much and I can't speak highly enough.
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover Art)
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I felt I was part of the process
Friendly and supportive. I opted for the "Try me first," offer. The feedback was helpful and honest. Julie thought that my book needed further work before copy-editing. This news stung, at first, but it helped me to understand that the process of editing is more complicated and multi-layered than I realized. It also showed me she wasn't going to just take my money for a quick buck!
After the input from friends and beta readers, I resubmitted my book a few weeks later. Julie was, again, very helpful and supportive. I liked that she sent me back the chapters as draft edits so that I could make comments or ask if there where things that I wanted explained or altered. I felt I was part of the process right up until receiving the the final, finished copy at the end.
Absolutely LOVE my ebook cover too!
(Copyediting / Formatting / Cover art)
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