I’d love to work together

How can I help you?

I offer editing and coaching services to seasoned writers committed to landing a book deal AND new writers who don’t know what the heck to do with their file full of story attempts. What I can provide…

DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT
(40,000 words +)

This is not a line edit or a proofread, although I do mark many errors related to correct usage and give advice on writing artfully. In this substantive edit, I’ll be looking at issues of character development and motivation, backstory and subplots, point of view, and structure. I’ll be assessing what your story is about and how effectively you’re executing on its narrative potential.

You’ll receive from me a full edit using Word’s Track Changes plus a detailed 7-10 pg. editorial letter, depending on the length of the piece and how we decide to portion out the project (full manuscript or chunks of chapters).

This editing service is for writers who have taken their project as far as they can on their own, have self-edited it, and are ready for professional help. I highly recommend using workshops, critique groups, and beta readers first.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT
(under 40,000 words/first pages)

For novellas all the way down the word-count ladder to flash-length pieces—this is a developmental edit for your shorter works. I’ll give you feedback that will help you get your piece ready for submission to literary magazines or other publishers. This is a great option for authors who want to make sure the first 25-50 pages of their book are strong enough to snag interest from an agent. In addition, writers who would like to sample my editing services before submitting a full-length manuscript may want feedback on a small portion of a longer work.

MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION

This is a high-level overview of the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript. In this edit, I will read your submitted pages and provide a 5-7 pg. (sometimes longer) editorial letter addressing first impressions, voice, characterization, story structure, tension, stakes, and other issues related to story execution. The editorial letter will give you feedback on what is working well and also problems that require further revision.

A manuscript evaluation does not usually include in-line or margin comments on the document itself—however, I include these for the first 10,000 words. This little developmental *bonus* makes my manuscript evaluation a very good option for many writers.

PRIVATE COACHING

If you haven’t had luck finding a critique group, if you’re hesitant to jump into a class, or if you’d like to get one-on-one coaching and feedback from an encouraging private teacher, this package is for you. I can provide you with deadlines, critiques, coaching, resources, and support. Whether you’re working on book chapters or short stories, writing down personal stories for your family, or something else, I can help you. [Contact me for customized requests]

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

QUERY LETTER + REVISION

A strong query letter is essential to landing an agent. In this critique, I’ll look at your structure, language, hook, emphasis, bio, and comps, and give you ideas for revision. Critique includes feedback on the initial query letter and a subsequent revision, including necessary email exchanges.

SYNOPSIS

When an agent asks for your synopsis, you’ll want to have it ready. I’ll help you decide which plot points to include, how to convey the major conflicts, how to describe your character’s development, and how to stick your ending. Critique includes feedback on one draft of the synopsis, including necessary email exchanges.

LET’S CONNECT

Fill out the contact form below and let me know about your project, including genre and word count, and any questions you have. I will get back to you through email with some follow-up questions.

Note that the wait time for me to start on your project is anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on your project and my availability.