About Ibis Editorial
Why choose Ibis Editing and Design for your project?
Our primary inspiration for creating Ibis was to combine all of our skills and expertise into one business, providing services that can be utilized individually or collectively. Our collective writing, editing, and design skills allow Ibis to be a one-stop shop of sorts, one that can:
- address the needs of self-publishing authors by providing top-to-bottom editing, cover design, and marketing services
- address the needs of authors seeking traditional publishing by providing editing and critique packages for query letters, synopses, and first chapters
- provide businesses and individuals with professional website copy, logo/business-card design, beta-testing, and marketing services
Ibis can provide continuity and consistency of services for your project, whatever its shape or size, so you know that everyone working on your book, business, or website is able to freely communicate not only with you but with each other to ensure that you get the best possible experience and final product.
Best of all, we can do this at a significantly reduced price. Any combined editing, content, and design services over $100 get a 15% discount off the total bill, which we hope will be a boon to our clients.
About Ibis
Ibis Editorial and Design was created by three longtime friends, colleagues, and collaborators based near the region of Illinois known as “Little Egypt.” This nickname led to the choice of the ibis as not only our professional name but as the primary symbol of our business: in Egyptian mythology, the ibis is most often associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom, writing, science, magic, and art.
At Ibis, our primary passion is for the written and visual arts; we are all readers, and we read everything from classic literature to fan fiction to deep-dive nonfiction to steamy romance. However, we are all also consumers who appreciate strong marketing and effective communication. We are entrepreneurs who created our business after years of working in the communications, education, marketing, technology, and service industries. Our combined editing, writing, and design expertise constitutes 45+ years of professional experience.
As artists and experts in our respective fields, we find joy in creation. We look forward to sharing that joy with our fellow artists and entrepreneurs -- and we look forward to bringing every project to its fullest, brightest potential, whatever its size and scope!
Mary Morris
Mary Morris has an MFA in creative writing from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and currently works as a ghostwriter for Scribe Media. Her short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry has been published in Carve, Gastronomica, Booth, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Mom Egg Review, and her first contemporary novel is currently on submission. She is represented (as Mary Morris/Mary-Louise Morgan) by Bonnie Swanson at the Purcell Agency.
Before she co-founded Ibis Editorial, Mary taught for twelve years as an assistant professor in English at Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Illinois. In addition to teaching, she has nearly a decade of experience working as a newspaper reporter, a proofreader/copy editor, an editorial assistant, and a freelance writer.
Find out more here:
J. Bull
J. Bull has a BA in English literature from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. In more than fifteen years of experience as a reporter and freelance writer, Bull has written for multiple newspapers and publishers, with a specific emphasis on marketing and promotional writing. In addition, Bull also worked as a technical writer and editor for K-12 content-management company SchoolCenter prior to its acquisition by Edline/Blackboard. A life-long reader, Bull is the proud author of two urban-fantasy novels, with two more on the way.
C.K. Underhill
C.K. Underhill has a double BA in art and philosophy as well as a master's in education. Underhill has 18 years of experience in the field of graphic design and art, working as a graphic designer and a workbook illustrator, in addition to working as a fine-arts teacher, a graphic-design teacher, an instructional technologist, and a communications coordinator for a small private boarding school, where Underhill managed the school’s social media, website, marketing, and print materials. Aside from Photoshop and Illustrator, Underhill’s preferred artistic mediums are photography, charcoal, acrylic, mixed-media collage, and pencil.
Content Services
Allow Ibis to assist you by creating your content! From helping to fill out your website to writing press releases and marketing copy, we offer effective and eloquent content solutions for your personal and business needs. Did you love writing your book but don’t know how to market it? We can write a press release or promotional blurb that builds interest and boosts your sales! Do you need well-written informational and advertising copy for your business or website? We can provide everything you need -- and we can beta-test and proofread your website, too! All copyrighting content services come with an initial e-mail consult with your copywriter, one (1) revision of the content per your specifications, and a final-polish proofread.
Press release for your novel, business, or organization - $20-$40 (200-400 words)
One of the most challenging aspects of running an organization, writing a novel, or planning an event is letting people know about it in a way that spotlights not only exciting new developments but also the creative force behind the scenes. Press releases that are professional, informative, and well-written can make all the difference.
You’ll get:
- An initial draft of your press release for approval
- A publication-ready final draft of your press release
Marketing copy for your creative project - $20 per 100 words, but may vary due to social-media forma
Do you already have a website and/or social-media accounts but sometimes struggle to find the best way to promote your projects? While writers may be wonderful wordsmiths, it can be challenging to hype yourself and your work. Allow Ibis to write marketing copy that sings your praises -- and your project’s praises -- for you! For writers, we can provide polished blurbs, teasers, and dust-jacket copy; for all artists and creative projects, we can provide any kind of promotional copy you may need in any format specified. Let Ibis perfect your marketing copy to show your work in its absolute best light!
You’ll get:
- An initial draft of your marketing copy for approval
- Publication-ready final drafts in ready-to-post form
Website content - $40 per 200 words, but may vary due to complexity
Website content should not be confused with website creation or design. Website content is simply the information you read when you arrive at an already established website. If you wish to keep your site looking up-to-date and fresh, posting new content regularly helps. We understand that it is difficult to write your books, oversee your business, and/or run your organization on a daily basis -- why not allow Ibis to provide the copy that keeps your website refreshed and relevant? Whether you are an organization, business, or individual, many customers or potential readers check out your website. Ibis can write and edit your website copy so that you come across as both professional and approachable.
You’ll get:
- A detailed e-mail consultation with your copywriter about your needs/requirements
- An initial draft of your content for approval
- A publication-ready final draft of all content
“Sounding Board” Content Services - begins at $50 per e-mail exchange described below
Do you have an idea for a novel or story but aren’t sure how to begin putting it into words? Would you like to write a nonfiction book about yourself or others but are having trouble getting started or finding a clear focus? On the other hand, are you currently writing but are stuck or having trouble with plotting or organizing your ideas? We fully understand. Sometimes a fantastic idea, a great setting, or a wonderful character comes into our work but we don’t know what to do with it. Let Ibis be your sounding board -- we can help you plot your novel, nonfiction work, or fan fiction in such a way that all those wonderful ideas you have in your mind can be showcased to the best possible advantage.
With this particular service, it’s difficult to pin-point what “you’ll get,” as we realize that our clients’ needs and wants may be many and varied. However, we hope that our advice and feedback will help you navigate any (or all) of the many obstacles involved in writing a complete manuscript -- whatever size or scope it may be!
How it will work:
- You will send Ibis an e-mail detailing your ideas and/or situation (any sample writing we can look at would be an excellent thing to include, up to 20 pages)
- Your sounding board will send back an e-mail addressing your issues and offering suggestions (and a pep talk, if needed!)
- You can reply with questions, more ideas, clarifications, etc.
- Your sounding board will reply with answers and/or more suggestions and advice
If you would like to add more e-mails with your sounding board at Ibis, you can do so at a reduced rate!