EDITING SERVICES

As an independent editor, I work closely with literary writers of all stripes—both fiction and nonfiction—as well as academics and experts hoping to translate their work to a broader audience.

The writing life can be lonely and difficult, while the business of books can be messy and confusing. As an editor, I strive to make writers’ lives easier by offering clear, thoughtful, and actionable feedback and shining a light through the often murky world of publishing.

My clients include writers already under contract with a publisher, writers preparing to query agents, writers who plan to self-publish, and writers who are simply trying to get a handle on the options in front of them. No matter where you’re at in the process, I can help!

Broadly speaking, my services fall into the following buckets:

  • Writing a query letter means taking off your artist’s chapeau and putting on your salesman’s cap, summarizing your beautiful, complicated masterpiece in just a few paragraphs — and in just the right words to make your book stand out among thousands. For many, it’s an awkward or unfamiliar task. But my clients learn to refine their pitch to hook agents and editors, highlight what makes their book unique and compelling, and place their work within the larger literary world. 

    I offer the following packages:

    QUERY LETTER REVIEW
    Just what it sounds like! My rate for this basic package — which includes one round of in-text comments, queries, and suggested edits as well as a short editorial note laying out my big-picture guidance for revision — begins at $130.

    QUERY COACHING
    For writers who want a bit more hands-on feedback and real human conversation, this package includes a one-hour phone or video coaching call to discuss my feedback. Optional add-on: I will also review a revised draft of your query letter, following our call.

    PITCH PERFECTION
    You’ve got your pitch letter, you’ve got your sample chapters, and you’re almost ready to start querying agents! If you choose this package, I’ll review your query letter as well as up to 50 pages of your manuscript. I’ll also offer a coaching call do discuss my feedback.

  • Maybe you’re a memoirist looking for honest, informed feedback before embarking on a final round of revisions. Or maybe you’re tackling a book proposal for the first time and want to know whether you’re on the right track. Maybe you’re stuck, aware that something in your novel isn’t quiet working but unaware of how to fix it.

    I pour hours into each and every manuscript, and my editorial assessments are extremely thorough. (My clients often describe my approach as “kind but totally honest.”) For this service, I’ll read your manuscript carefully, usually twice, and then craft a detailed editorial letter that that lays out what I feel is working well in the manuscript and where I feel you might be able to improve. My goal is never to try to make the book into something it's not, but rather to help you transform it into the absolute best version of itself.

    BOOK PROPOSAL PACKAGE
    I’ve worked on hundreds of book proposals across all nonfiction genres—history, psychology, business, personal finance, humor/pop culture, reportage, memoir, and more—including projects that have sold to “big five” publishing houses and earned million-dollar advances. I bring this expertise to my book proposal assessments, offering a big-picture critique as well as section-by-section feedback on how to make each element of your book proposal shine. My rates begin at $0.27/word, with a $300 minimum.

    MANUSCRIPT PACKAGE
    It’s not easy to trust an editor with your creative work, but I treat each and every manuscript with the care and attention it deserves. My manuscript assessments think deeply about plot, character, theme, setting, and style, across the entire book as well as individual sections and chapters. I offer feedback that is accessible, digestible, and actionable, backed by ample evidence and examples from the text. My rates begin at $0.27/word, or approximately $1620 for a 60,000-word manuscript.

  • An assessment can help identify areas for improvement and offer suggestions for how to implement those revisions. But my developmental edits offer the type of thorough, hands-on feedback that writers crave. I offer notes, queries, prompts, and suggested edits across the entire manuscript, from sentence clarity to chapter flow to the overall structure of the book. In doing so, I flag specific areas for revision, identify elements that are working especially well, and ask pointed questions to spur creative thinking and problem-solving. I also pair that edit with a detailed editorial letter that flags higher-order concerns, and offers clear and actionable suggestions for revision. NOTE: This service does not include copyediting or proofreading.

    BOOK PROPOSAL PACKAGE: My rates begin at $500 per project. Optional add-ons include a follow-up coaching call and second pass through the proposal.

    MANUSCRIPT PACKAGE: My rates begin at $0.35 per word, or approximately $2100 for a 60,000-word manuscript. This package includes a follow-up coaching call to discuss my feedback and potential next steps.

  • With nearly a decade of agenting under my belt, I’m accustomed to working very closely with authors to help them conceive, draft, revise, and polish their work. If you’re looking for a collaborative writing partner to help you craft your book proposal or manuscript—or if you’re an agent/publisher looking for a fast and professional book doctor–please don’t hesitate to contact me using the form below. I’d love to hear more about your work and discuss whether we might be a good editorial and creative fit.  

Disclaimer: As a literary agent, I don't consider queries from writers who I've worked with in a for-pay editorial capacity, nor will I accept any pitches from writers who have paid for my editing services. In this matter (and others) I adhere to the Association of American Literary Agents’ Canon of Ethics.