I am a dynamic, incisive, and compassionate editor. If you work with me, you will see your prose sharpen, your transitions become more graceful and intentional, and your voice become more confident. I’ve edited hundreds of writers at different stages of their careers, from emerging writers to prize-winning authors. I edit narrative nonfiction, poetry, and short stories.

Developmental Editing

When you have taken your manuscript as far as you can, but need help getting it to the next stage, you may be ready for a development edit. My approach is gentle but sturdy: to ensure that all the mechanisms of telling a story are working, and that you have a strong sense of what the book is about.

Once I understand your vision, I will help you get there. I move or restructure text, note where transitions are needed, and make suggestions for how to solve problems of timing, pacing, narrative, voice, and character development. I feel strongly about getting authors to interrogate their subject, the arc, and themselves, over the course of any story. That affects the psychology of how a story is told, and it adds complexity to the writing.

Line Editing

I am a hands-on line editor, which means that you get extensive feedback on your manuscript in marginal notes and in-line revisions in the text itself. Sometimes I’ll rewrite a section to model potential changes, or move text to flow more efficiently.

Line-editing is not copy editing or proofreading, but I do look closely at every word, sentence, and paragraph. As a line-editor, I examine the nitty gritty of your sentences and streamline what is happening on the page.

Proposals

Proposals need to stand out and catch the attention of busy editors. I've written several nonfiction proposals which have sold to publishers ranging from Big 5 to award-winning indie and university presses.

I work with you to figure out the best angle in order to pitch you as the only person who can write the book you’re producing. I offer a flat fee and a percentage from the advance. I also offer an hourly rate.

Ghostwriting

I’ve ghostwritten or doctored huge sections of books and individual chapters for clients across genres. First, we talk about your goals, the story arc, your platform, and voice. Next I design interviews and prompts to get going, and write chapters based on our transcripts and conversations.

I will check in and work with you collaboratively to shape the story as you see fit, and find the right arc and momentum. I flex around your style. If you want an edit with some ghosting, I can help fill in sections that haven’t found their shape and create a through-line in your voice.

Coaching

For regular clients, I offer coaching, structural and line-level feedback, and gentle nudging to keep up production. I coax out cohesive themes for nonfiction, and polish the personality and momentum of story collections. For poetry, I focus on close readings, form and syntax, and practical advice for making a manuscript cohesive.

I believe in working slowly and improving each draft holistically. Authors send me work days before we meet, I do several hours of editing, and we follow it up with a one-hour coaching session to discuss the work and next steps.

Fees

$175 per hour or project-based. For each full-length manuscript, I offer an editorial letter of 3,000 to 6,000 words, and a marked-up manuscript identifying developmental and structural edits, queries, and line edits. I also offer an hour-long Zoom call to discuss the manuscript, and shorter follow up calls as needed.