d.y.m.k. productions
writing and editorial services

What d.y.m.k is:

a wide-spectrum editorial service designed to get a writer's work into the best possible shape.

What d.y.m.k isn't:

A packager, an agent, a publishing house. A secret handshake or magic potion that will get you published.

There is no secret to getting published. You need a fabulous idea, supported by a strong story, wrapped up in good, enjoyable writing. And then you need to be in the right place at the right time. I can't promise to help you with the last. But I might be able to help you with the first three items. Why me?

I've spent fifteen years in the editorial trenches with major New York publishers, including Berkley, Dutton, and New American Library, and have worked with hundreds of authors, both established and out of the so-called slush pile, helping them build long and successful careers. Among the writers I've worked with are Dana Stabenow, Harry Turtledove, Peter Beagle, Graham Masterton, Guy Gavriel Kay, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, R.A. Salvatore, Anne Bishop, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Chris Bunch, and S.M. Stirling. Best-selling, award-winning authors from all genres, from suspense to romance, from mystery to horror, with a specialization in science fiction and fantasy.

If you're serious about wanting to submit the best possible manuscript -- serious about having a career as a writer -- let me help you catch an editor's eye.
what people are saying:

"If any of you have read the first Kate Shugak novel, guess what? None of you have read the first chapter. Not the original first chapter, anyway, because editor Laura Anne Gilman, then at Berkley, made me cut it. “It’s great, Dana,” she told me, “but it doesn’t have anything to do with the rest of the book.” She was right, I cut it, the book went on to win an Edgar award, and don’t think she’s ever going to let me forget it. "

-- Dana Stabenow
http://www.stabenow.com

 

"Laura Anne Gilman was a pleasure to work with as an editor. She gave close, intelligent readings of my work, and made suggestions which -- even when they required a lot of work -- I was usually happy to follow. They improved the final drafts immesurably and saved me considerable embarassment."

-- S.M. Stirling
http://www.smstirling.com/

"Laura Anne knows the fine arts of writing and editing as well as anybody out there. Just as important, she knows the hard-nosed business of publishing. I can't think of anybody better to have on your side."

-- Peter Heck
author of the Mark Twain mystery series

 

"Laura Anne was a great editor for me. She never tried to tell me what to write, but would, without fail, point out places where I could make the story clearer and stronger. My books were much better when she was done."

-- Wen Spencer
http://www.wenspencer.com

"As an editor, Laura Anne Gilman surpasses all expectations. She's thorough, prompt, intelligent, organized, and exhaustive. She's old-school, a hands-on editor who has a sharp eye for the marketplace, and a nurturing hand for her stable of writers. An expert in acquisitions as well as line-by-line finessing, Laura Anne must be placed in the highest ranks of blue-pencil wizards."

-- Scott Mackay,
award-winning author of OMNIFIX.

d.y.m.k. is also available for other services, including ghostwriting, proofreading, proposal writing and other projects.
Contact me for rates and availability.

Industry references available upon request