Manuscript editing and development. You have a partial or completed manuscript, and you’re ready for some objective outside input to help you improve and advance it. Depending on how far along you are and what your goals are, I can provide a detailed assessment of its strengths and areas for improvement, specific structural input, research ideas, prompts for fleshing out the content, in-depth editing, and lots of other helpful things. For short or long fiction, my investment can merely be line editing/copyediting, or it can be dialed up to address thematic concerns, structure, language, style, depth, research, and overall effectiveness as a piece of storytelling. I’ve given comprehensive feedback for a historical novel, book-length reportage on a natural disaster, a hard-boiled detective yarn, a polemic about the state of our educational system, a deeply personal family memoir, and much more lovely work from aspiring authors. I can help you elevate your material so it’s in prime shape for pitching agents and editors, too.
Creativity coaching. Creative people benefit tremendously from having pop-in collaborators and creative colleagues with whom they can vet ideas and works-in-progress. This is especially true of those young in years or young in craft, who can accelerate and augment their talents by having an experienced, generous, independent mind brought to bear on their creative efforts and attitudes. How cool would it be if you could hire someone to be on call for you in just this way?
You can!
Beyond editorial specifics, I provide useful wisdom and advice, suggested reading, educational options, guidance about strategic direction or approach to career, and, of course, constructive encouragement. I’ve launched and participated in writing groups and worked with editors who provided this kind of mentor relationship. It’s invaluable. I can be this person for you.