Floyd Largent
is a freelance writer, historian,
and archaeologist who has written
steadily for the past two decades.
As a writer/editor he has worked in
many aspects of the field,
specializing in history, natural
history, anthropology, the sciences,
and literature on the non-fiction
front, and speculative fiction
(science fiction, fantasy, horror,
and allied fields) otherwise. He has
published his own e-book on fiction
marketing (100 Great Places to
Sell Your Short Stories, Both On and
Off the Web), and is intimately
familiar with technical writing,
having worked as a technical writer
and editor for ten years. Mr.
Largent can provide publishing
assistance (especially with short
stories and journal articles),
content development, ghostwriting,
and mentoring services, supplemented
with advice concerning manuscript
mechanics, query letters, book
synopses, and proposals.
Specialties
Developmental
editing
Publishing
Assistance
My career as a content editor has been nearly as varied as my basic writing career. I've edited and rewritten academic papers, marketing copy, web content, short stories, brochures, book-length manuscripts, and many, many technical reports. I enjoy working with other writers, and am particularly gratified when I can impart some of my hard-won knowledge of manuscript mechanics and submission. I'm not an agent and can't replace one, but I can certainly show you ways to make your copy more pleasing to an editor's eyes. Let's get started ...
Published Works
Largent, F., 1985. "Haiku Cycle: A Deer Herd" (poem). Sanctum Quarterly, Fall 1985.
Largent, F., 1986. "Haiku Cycle: Homeward Bound" (poem). Poetic Symphony: Music from the Heart, p. 64, edited by Lincoln Stevens.
Largent, F.B. Jr, 1988. "Soviet Science Fiction: The Flip Side of Socialist Realism" (factual essay). Science Fiction Research Association Newsletter, Fall 1989.
Largent, F., 1989. "The Birds" (poem). Litmus: The Literary Arts Journal of Texas A&M, 1989 edition.
Largent, F., 1989. "Gears of Knowledge" (poem). The Unknowns, Spring 1989.
Largent, F. B. Jr. 1994. "Canine Identification." The Trapper and Predator Caller. July 1994, pp. 40-41.
Largent, F. B., 1994. "Guns for the Union: The Starr Arms Company, 1856-1867" (article). America's Civil War, September 1994, pp. 24-26.
Largent, F., 1995. "Fort Buford: Guardian of the Northern Frontier" (article). True West, June 1995, pp. 23-28.
Largent, F., 1995. "The Chief's Mother: The Life of Cynthia Ann Parker" (article). Persimmon Hill, Autumn 1995.
Largent, F., 1996. "Grant's Indian: The Life of Ely Samuel Parker, Seneca Chief and Union General" (article). America's Civil War, September 1996, pp. 54-60. Also published electronically on The History Net (www.thehistorynet.com).
Largent, F., 1996. "Dr. Le Mat's Extraordinary Confederate Grapeshot Revolver" (article). Military History, October 1996, pp.74-78. Also published electronically on The History Net ( www.thehistorynet.com).
Krapf, K.A. and F. Largent, 1996. "The Black Seminole Indian Scouts in Texas" (article). Persimmon Hill, Winter 1996, pp. 73-75.
Largent, F., 1997. "The San Patricio Battalion: American Deserters in the Mexican-American War." True West, August 1997, pp. 35-40.
Largent, F., 1998. "Windigo: A Native American Archetype." Parabola: Myth, Tradition, and the Search for Meaning. Fall 1998, pp. 22-25. (This article has been reprinted several times on the Internet and has been collected in a literary database maintained by SIRS Mandarin, Inc.)
Largent, F., 1998. "Fatal Contact: the Fort Parker Massacre, 1836." True West. December 1998 issue.
Largent, F., 1998. "The Last Confederate General" (article). America's Civil War; scheduled for October 1997 Internet issue (www.thehistorynet.com), but has not yet appeared.
Largent, Floyd B., Jr., 1999. "The Florida Quagmire." American History, October 1999, pp. 40-43.
Largent, Floyd B., Jr., 2002. "Lamar and the Indians." Persimmon Hill. In press.
Largent, F. , 2002. "The First Horse." U.S. Kids (in press).
Feedback
"I contacted book-editing.com in May, but since it was the Memorial Day weekend, I wasn't expecting a response until after the holidays. However, in just a few hours, both of the editors I chose contacted me. By the next morning, I had an edited sample of my manuscript in my hands. While both editors were impressively qualified, I chose to go with Floyd Largent.
I handed Floyd my 65,000 word manuscript on June 6th and got it back, polished to within an inch of its life, on July 25th. Floyd did a fantastic job. He cleaned up my novel without altering my voice or style. He formatted the manuscript, corrected all of my quirky and embarrassing grammar mistakes, regrouped some wording to make the story flow more smoothly, and provided a very professional template for a query letter. He also threw in an eight-page synopsis and detailed character profiles on all my main characters.
Floyd's professionalism throughout the process was impeccable. He answered all my questions clearly and thoroughly, he was patient with me -- even when I did a little whining -- and there was never a moment when I doubted him. I'm truly looking forward to working with Floyd again." —Wendy Adams
"Floyd is special to me in that he allows me to fine tune my work after he does an original edit, then he goes over my work again after I’ve made changes to improve my story line." —(Contact information on request)
"I greatly appreciated Mr. Largent's ability to give honest feedback with his true motivation being to assist me in completing a quality manuscript. His intend was not in buttering or flattery. His thoroughness was also extremely valuable for me. Thanks again." —Ben Larremore
"Mr. Floyd Largent is an excellent science
fiction editor. He is also master editor for technical subjects. Mr. Largent
edited my manuscript without changing my style." —Dilip Brahmbhatt
"I just wanted to tell you how happy I am with your work! You
have done several projects for me and they have always been excellent. I
have had many people write for me in the past but you will get my business
from now on. Your research and writing skills are top notch and I look
forward to working with you on future projects. Thanks for the great
articles and timely service." —Mark Willigerod
"Floyd Largent has been a pleasure to work
with. He has been kind, thoughtful, patient and a true professional. At
first I was a little worried about working with someone online, but he
always made me feel comfortable and never pressured me into something I
wasn't comfortable with. Not only did he take the time to work on my
manuscript, he also took the time to educate me and encourage me. If
anything should ever come of my project, Floyd Largent will be the first
person I thank. Floyd is not only a wonderful proofreader, he is also a wonderful human being. I look forward to working with him in the future." —Ian Fydell, author of the novel, Breathing Space
"Floyd Largent is by far the best freelance
writer I have had the pleasure of working with. He has written several
hundred excellent articles for my 30 websites. Floyd is a true professional
who excels at his craft regardless of what topic I give him. He is one of
the few writers I have worked with (and I have worked with many!) who I
don't need to check up on. It is refreshing to know that when I give Floyd
an assignment he researches the topic and then writes about it as if he has
known about it all his life. Over the past two years he has helped me to
fine tune my own writing style. I enjoy working with Floyd and consider him
a friend as well as a business associate who is a valuable asset to my
business." —Mary Ferguson, Technical Editor, First Coast Dynamic Media, Inc.
"I just wanted to let you know that The Aristeia is
out. Check out amazon.com or epoch-press.net for a nice blurb. Thanks again
for all your work on it!" —George P. Alexander
"I've been going through the story and I'm about halfway through the review.... So far, the work is
incredible. I really like what you've done with it to say the least. Satisfaction would be an understatement." —Andrew Miller, The Road to War
(written as Jason Miller)
"Floyd Largent did an outstanding job with my manuscript, his attention to detail, knowledge, and professionalism surpassed my expectations. I could not have been happier with the final product, or picked a more qualified editor to work with. I'll definitely be using his services again in the future." —D. W. Naef
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