Editing

I offer what’s called structural or developmental editing. I’m not fixing commas, copyediting, or fact checking.

Structural editing happens long before all of that—and it’s much more important. A structural editor looks at your manuscript as a whole. Does it flow? Does it hold together logically, or along a storyline? Will it make sense to readers and capture their hearts and minds? Is it compelling? What might be missing—and what might need to be taken out to tighten up the story you want to tell?

Structural editing ensures that your book works: it tells the story you want to tell, for the readers you want to reach, in a compelling way, in the voice that feels authentic to you.

If you have a completed manuscript, you’re ready for a structural editor. It’s okay if you’re not sure the book is exactly right. That’s what this process is for!

If you are at the beginning of the writing process and need help getting started, check out book coaching instead.

I always start with a one-on-one meeting to get to know you. I want to understand the story you’re trying to tell, the audience you want to reach, and your goals and dreams for the book.

Once I have a good sense of your goals for the book, I go through it in detail. I won’t change anything about your book! Instead, I will make comments, recommendations, and suggestions. Then you will review all those recommendations and decide what changes you want to make.

Most editing projects go through three rounds: one major substantive edit that gets us 85-90% of the way to your final book, a second round in which I review your changes and make any additional recommendations that are needed, and a final round to clean up the small, remaining items.

I’m happy to talk with you about your book, no matter what the content. But I specialize in a few areas. You can find out more about them here.

I aim to be honest, loving, and collaborative. If I think your book needs work in a certain area in order to reach the people you want to reach, I will tell you. I wouldn’t be much of an editor otherwise! But I also know that a book is an intensely personal project. It’s a part of you, and I take that very seriously in the way I approach my editing work. I treat every book as an object of love and care. Finally, I believe in the power of collaboration. I don’t think any book has ever been written totally in isolation. A good relationship between writer and editor makes for a better book, so I work hard to collaborate with you to offer exactly what you want and need.