The Introverted Bookworm
Inquire

Research for fiction authors

Clean, careful research
so your story can breathe

Historical details, lived-in settings, and faith-accurate facts for clean and Christian fiction — without the rabbit holes.

Send an inquiry Download rate card (PDF)

Who this is for

I’m a clean Christian fiction reader and ARC reviewer who also loves research. I help authors answer the small, important questions that keep a scene honest — clothing, work, travel, food, place, and faith practice that stays family-friendly.

Boundary: I work with clean romance, Christian historical, contemporary faith fiction, and other wholesome stories. I do not research explicit content.

Packages

Every package includes a written brief and a tidy source list you can keep. Full details are on the rate card PDF.

Quick Fact

$45
One sitting

One to three specific questions. A short written answer and the sources used. Best when you already know what to check.

Scene Packet

$150
Most requested

One setting, occupation, or daily-life topic. A 2–4 page brief plus bibliography so a kitchen, ranch, ship, church, or town feels lived-in.

Chapter Support

$275
One chapter

World details for a single chapter: place, work, food, travel, manners, and faith-accurate notes. Includes one round of clarifying questions.

Hourly, capped

$30 / hr
Open questions

For research that doesn’t fit a package. You get an hour estimate first; work stops at the agreed cap unless you approve more.

Larger projects (full-book research, series bibles) are quoted after a short conversation. Quick Fact is paid in full to start; larger packages take a 50% deposit.

View full rate card (PDF)

How it works

Send a note

Use the contact form with your era, genre, and question. I’ll confirm fit and which package makes sense.

I research

You receive a written brief with usable notes and sources — not a pile of open tabs.

You write

Use what you need. If one detail is still fuzzy, a small follow-up keeps the next pass focused.

What you can ask about

  • Period clothing, food, work, travel, and manners
  • Settings that feel lived-in (homes, towns, churches, ships, ranches)
  • Faith-accurate details that honor Scripture and stay family-friendly
  • Quick fact-checks and “is this anachronistic?” questions
  • Source lists you can keep for the rest of the draft

Contact

Tell me the era, genre, and what you’re stuck on. I reply by email.

Or message on Instagram

Submissions go to ellensale70@yahoo.com. The first time the form is used, FormSubmit may email you a one-time confirmation link — click it so inquiries start arriving in your inbox.