Developmental editing strengthens the big picture elements of your manuscript. In fiction, that means plot, pacing, character development, structure, and more; in nonfiction, it means content, structure, pacing, clarity, and the like. If you’ve come as far as you can self-editing your work, you’re a good candidate for my hands-on, in-depth developmental editing services. 

As your developmental editor, I’ll provide two key deliverables: an editorial feedback letter and an annotated version of your manuscript. The editorial letter addresses the book's strengths and weaknesses at the macro level, while the annotated manuscript connects those dots to the micro level, showing how you can implement big picture feedback on the small scale and offering an actionable roadmap to revision. I work diligently to ensure that these materials exist in conversation—that way, you head into revision armed with both a diagnosis and a prescription.

My developmental editing service includes: 

1. A one hour pre-edit Zoom to discuss what you feel is working about the manuscript, what’s not working, and where you could benefit most from my feedback.

2. A detailed editorial feedback letter, five to ten single-spaced pages in length, offering my assessments of your book’s narrative mechanics. For fiction, that’s plot, characterization, thematic development, voice, pacing, and more; for nonfiction, that’s structure, clarity, voice, strength of argument, etc. My editorial letters also include a section assessing the book’s target market, offering guidance on how best to position the book for submission.

3. An annotated version of your manuscript containing detailed margin notes that pinpoint targeted areas for improvement, like uneven pacing, weak logic, and plot fallacies. These margin notes connect to the narrative mechanics discussed in the editorial letter, offering actionable guidance on how to execute big picture feedback at the granular level.

4. A one hour post-edit Zoom to discuss follow-up questions and brainstorm ideas for revision.

If you’re looking for high-level feedback on your book, but you’re still early in the self-editing process, you’re a good candidate for a manuscript evaluation. My manuscript evaluation package provides a global review of your book’s strengths and weaknesses, without the granular feedback in the margins. Think of a manuscript evaluation like a professional pit stop on your self-editing journey—I’ll provide a full service tune-up, then get you back out on the road with a clear direction for the way forward.

My manuscript evaluation service includes:

1. A detailed editorial feedback letter, three to five single-spaced pages in length, offering feedback about what’s working, what’s not, and where you can strengthen the work in revision.

2. A thirty minute post-edit Zoom to discuss follow-up questions and brainstorm ideas for revision.

Whether you’re starting with a bright idea, a rough sketch, or a full draft, I can help you shape a compelling, market-ready book proposal. Writing these documents can be challenging, as many writers find it difficult to think like an agent or editor, but that’s where I come in. Drawing on my extensive industry knowledge, I’ll collaborate with you to produce a market-ready proposal that straddles both commercial and creative considerations. Here are two ways I can support you through the proposal process:

Book Proposal Editing

If you have a complete draft, but you’re not sure if it’s agent-ready, I can help you take it to the next level. My book proposal editing service provides developmental feedback on the entire document, resulting in a polished, undeniable proposal. I’ll deliver detailed margin notes that sharpen your craft, from refining your overview to improving the organization of your ideas. I’ll also offer feedback that strengthens the business case for your book, like thoughtful guidance on your comps and strategic insights about your marketing plan. 

My book proposal editing service includes:

1. A comprehensive mark-up of your entire proposal, including sample chapters. 

2. A detailed editorial feedback letter, two to three single-spaced pages in length, offering feedback about the proposal’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the roadmap to revision. I’ll also include a submission strategy, hand-selecting a shortlist of agents for you to consider pitching, drawn from my extensive knowledge the literary marketplace. 

3. A one hour post-edit Zoom to discuss my feedback, answer follow-up questions, and assess next steps. 

Book Proposal Ghostwriting

If you have a compelling idea for a book, but no time to write the proposal yourself, I can help. I offer a collaborative editorial partnership that transforms the seed of your idea into a fully realized proposal. Through a series of conversations, we’ll shape your creative vision and define your goals, but we’ll also strategize about other considerations, like positioning, marketability, author platform, and publishing strategy. I’ll transform this material into a powerful proposal, which we’ll then review and revise together, ensuring that it reflects your voice and realizes your goals. I’ll also work with you to develop a submission strategy, hand-selecting agents for you to consider pitching, drawn from my extensive knowledge of the literary marketplace. 

My book proposal ghostwriting service includes:

1. A fully realized, agent-ready book proposal. 

2. A workflow and meeting cadence that’s completely bespoke to you. If you’d prefer to collaborate intimately, we can meet weekly—or, if you like a more hands-off approach, we can meet at targeted checkpoints, touching base regularly while also freeing up your time. 

3. Ongoing collaboration and open dialogue throughout the writing process. 

If you’ve perfected the broad strokes of your manuscript, but you want to improve the quality of your writing paragraph to paragraph, you’re a good candidate for my line editing services. When I line edit your manuscript, I’ll improve its readability by adding clarity, consistency, and liveliness to your prose. I’ll tighten your language and push your style forward, all while preserving your singular voice. I’ll also correct usage errors and flag narrative inconsistencies, like plot holes, timeline problems, and weak arguments. Several writers have told me that I’m the most diligent line editor they know, so you can rest assured that I’ll leave no stone unturned.

My line editing service includes:

1. A marked-up version of your manuscript containing targeted line-by-line feedback.

2. A thirty minute post-edit Zoom to discuss follow-up questions and brainstorm ideas for revision.

A book coach can be many things: your cheerleader, your sounding board, your accountability partner, and so much more. I coach writers of all experience levels, from seasoned professionals looking for chapter-by-chapter feedback to first-time authors seeking my help turning a bright idea into a real book (or book proposal). I can guide you through solving tricky writing problems, keep you on track during revision with targeted feedback, help you get creatively unstuck, and much more. My coaching arrangements are completely bespoke, but they all have a few things in common—we meet via Zoom on a regular schedule to brainstorm ideas, troubleshoot problems, and workshop pages. Whatever shape our coaching arrangement takes, we’ll develop an ongoing, interactive relationship, and I’ll support your writing goals with real-time feedback and accountability. 

Want to work together to design a structure that fits your schedule, supports your creative process, and levels up your career? Scroll down for more information about how to get a custom coaching quote from me.

If you have an incredible personal story or a compelling big idea, but no time to author a book, I can help. Through a series of comprehensive interviews, I’ll learn your story inside and out. As a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience profiling celebrities, authors, and other public figures, I excel at mining insights from interviews and transforming them into engaging narratives. As our interviews continue, I’ll distill your ideas and experiences into a book that sounds authentically like you. Throughout the process, I’ll submit chapters to you at targeted checkpoints, then implement your feedback. If you’re looking for a trusted creative partner to tell your story, please reach out to me to schedule a free consultation. I’m also available to ghostwrite shorter form content, like articles, speeches, thought leadership, and more.

Are you a writer looking for guidance about the path to publication? I’m available to consult with you on a wide variety of materials and topics, from editing your query letter to strategizing about your agent search. Together we’ll craft a persuasive, attention-getting pitch for your book and get it in the hands of the right creative partner. If you’d simply like to ask my advice about the path to publication or brainstorm about how to position your book, I’m available to consult by the hour. 

Alternatively, perhaps you’re a brand looking for a professional storyteller, or a publishing company looking for an industry expert. If that sounds like you, please reach out and tell me how I can help.

Don’t see the service you’re looking for? I can combine or customize my services according to your needs. Each person and project is unique, so if you’d like to work together on developing something completely bespoke to you, let’s talk.