EDITORIAL SERVICES
As an editor, I believe that words and stories are powerful, and my goal is to support the writers I work with in achieving their work’s greatest impact while always remaining aligned with their intention. Compassion, respect, and curiosity are foundational to how I approach creative work, and I strive to engage with each piece of writing I encounter with these values in mind. With experience across literary magazines and independent publishers, I assist prose writers with both the line-level and high-level structure of their work, ensuring that it is working on every level for the greatest impact and with the greatest chance for publication.
I am most drawn to narratives that are intimately told, that utilize lyrical language, that speak to something larger than themselves, and that have vulnerable and diverse characters. I am also especially interested in working with writers who seek to give a voice to historically marginalized identities and experiences, and narratives that are strongly rooted in place and time. Some of my favorite books are In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Windswept by Annabel Abbs, The Overstory by Richard Powers, The Seas by Samantha Hunt, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, and Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins.
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Short Story Editorial Letter
Working in various publishing roles across the literary community, I have gained valuable insight into what a story needs to get published. While some writers seek editorial feedback to refine their craft and polish their piece, others want to receive guidance on how to make a certain story they are struggling with work. Whatever the motivation, all writers seeking publication for their stories can benefit from the process of exposing their work to critical insight and revision.
The details: a 2-3 page editorial critique of your writing, including strengths, weaknesses, and actionable areas to focus on when revising.
Cost: $100 for stories up to 5,000 words
(Please inquire for a customized rate for stories that are longer)
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Editorial Letter & Line-Level Marginal Notes
While an editorial letter is a powerful method of feedback, especially for earlier drafts of a piece, line-level marginal notes focus on the details. How are word choice and tone influencing the story? Are there contradictions or moments that require more explanation? What is the experience of the reader as they are reading?
The details: a 2-3 page editorial critique of your writing, including strengths, weaknesses, and actionable areas to focus on when revising; and line-level marginal notes throughout the document.
Cost: $175 for stories up to 5,000 words
(Please inquire for a customized rate for stories that are longer)
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MFA Portfolios (Fiction & Creative Non-fiction)
Applying to MFA programs can be daunting, and choosing which examples of your writing to include in 20-30 pages can be overwhelming. The writing portfolio is the most important part of your application - it is your chance to showcase what kind of writer you are and aspire to be. Because of this, it should - ideally - be your most polished work.
The details: a two page editorial critique, including actionable feedback and suggested revisions; copyediting (via track changes) and line-level marginal notes throughout your writing portfolio.
Cost: $250 per writing portfolio
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Beta Reader
Have you written your novel, short story collection, or non-fiction book? Are you ready to query it to agents? A great last step is to work with a beta reader - someone who can read through your work beginning to end, offering feedback from the perspective of an attentive but “average” reader. Areas of focus for a beta reader are: plot, structure, pacing, consistency, and character development.
The details: a 6-8 page response and a one-hour Zoom call to discuss your manuscript.
Cost: $1000 per manuscript (up to 90,000 words)