I’d love to help you with your writing project. My services include editing (developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting), editorial assessments, publication management, consulting, and coaching. For a breakdown of my offerings, see the section further below.
I specialize in developmental editing and line editing nonfiction books, articles, and essays. My strength lies in teasing out and clarifying a work’s core vision. Authors usually know what specific points they want to make (the micro) but often struggle with tying them into a larger theme, and in a way that’s focused and coherent (the macro). Fixing this often involves cutting or expanding sections, moving things around, shifting areas of focus, and/or creating stronger transitions. The result is a work that’s clear, organized intuitively, and professional in presentation. Ultimately, no amount of style or finesse can make up for writing that’s unfocused, plodding, or doesn’t keep a reader’s attention. (For a deeper breakdown of the mistakes nonfiction authors tend to make, see my article “Six Common Problems of Nonfiction Authors.”)
A good developmental editor has an expansive imagination and can visualize how a book or article could look in an ideal state. Just as important is being able to articulate this vision and explain, with concreteness, steps an author can take to arrive at this state. In my own role as an editor, I serve as a bridge between author and reader, putting myself in a target reader’s shoes and ensuring that it fits its genre and meets (or ideally, exceeds) the reader’s expectations.
I also edit shorter documents and websites. Whatever my assignment, my mission is to make your writing more effective. Whether you need assistance with a manuscript, essay, newsletter, blog post, website, or something else that contains words from the English language, I have the training to make your prose do what you want it to do. (Poetry, alas, not so much.)
I’m well-versed in Chicago Manual of Style, and slightly less so with Associated Press style. I have a modest relationship with MLA style.
Editing
I offer developmental editing and line editing services for books, articles, and all other forms of writing. For non-book projects I also offer copyediting. (If you’re not sure what the differences are between these editing tasks, please see the Types of Editing page.)
When it comes to editing, I am gentle but honest. I deeply respect each author I work with, and I want the writing they put out in the world to be the best writing they’re capable of. Consequently, I don’t pull my punches; if something is unclear, off-tone, or simply doesn’t fit, I let the author know—respectfully. My exchanges with authors are always a dialogue, not a monologue. I exist to help the author and offer informed guidance drawn from my years of experience.
An editorial assessment (often called a manuscript critique) is a high-level editorial report that evaluates the big-picture elements of a manuscript: its structure, writing style, voice, chapter coherence, title/subtitle, promise to the reader (whether or not it has been fulfilled), and related criteria. My assessments also include a review of each individual chapter. The length of the report can vary depending on the manuscript word count, but in my experience it often runs from eight to twelve pages. This can be a good option for authors who want some early feedback on macro-level issues and/or aren’t ready to invest in a full developmental edit. (For more info. on editorial assessments, and how they differ from developmental edits, please see the Types of Editing page.)
Editorial assessment/
manuscript critique
Book publication management
I’ve managed the publication of numerous self-published books, shepherding them from raw manuscript to edited and professionally produced book (and e-book). I have a reliable network of service providers, including cover designers, print and e-book interior formatters, indexers, and proofreaders. (And if you need help with something else, I probably know where to look.) Whether you want the whole enchilada or just basic assistance, there’s a good chance I can help.
Consulting
Have a manuscript in hand, but not sure what comes next? Confused about query letters, proposals, or something else? Thinking about self-publishing, but not sure what the difference is between KDP and IngramSpark? Whatever your situation, I can help you clarify your goals and navigate the publication process with minimal pain.
Article/op-ed coaching
Think you have a good idea for an op-ed, feature article, essay, or some other shorter work of writing but not sure how or where to pitch it? I may be able to help. I’ve helped writers pitch and publish in CityLab, MinuteEarth (2.3M YouTube subscribers), Mountain Xpress (Asheville’s alt-weekly), and the Citizen-Times (Asheville’s flagship daily). Publication is challenging—especially now—and never guaranteed, but you may be able to increase your odds of pitch success with a second set of (experienced) eyes.