Use Words
to write what you want
Scholarly editing for the humanities and interpretive social sciences
From your first idea to your book at last
In the noise of life and teaching and research and tenure, it can be hard to hear your ideas, let alone develop them and write them down in a format that works for you (and your professionalization requirements).
And if you want to write material that matters to you in a way that speaks to you and your audience, it can be even more daunting.
I am here to help.
Hollianna Bryan, she/her/hers
I'm a development editor and writing coach primarily for the interdisciplinary humanities and interpretive social sciences, helping scholars with books, articles, talks, proposals, and other professional materials.
With one-off scholarly projects as well as long-term, ongoing editing and development relationships with authors across many texts and forms of writing, I can help you finish a book or build your projects from the very start.
Above all, I am your advocate for what you want to do, in the best way possible, and in a way that works for you.
I look forward to meeting you.
Development Editing
Get fluid, responsive, one-on-one support tailored to all stages of your writing and thinking process. Talk to me and let’s get the conversation started.
Hone your manuscript with generous substantive critique, feedback, and hands-on help to build on your strengths and implement your vision. Let’s take your project to the next level.
Writing Coaching
Copyediting
Polish your manuscript for submission with sentence-level technical edits, style smoothing for clarity, and reference/citation clean up. Let me take these details off your shoulders.
What It’s Like to Work Together
“I’ve worked with Holli in various writing genres—from journal articles, chapter contributions, grant proposals, and a book. Working with Holli was one of the biggest highlights of writing my first book, Nuclear Ghost. As my editor, Holli not only helped me translate my thoughts into accessible language but also somehow magically learned to understand what I was trying to say, and artfully preserved my voice in the process. Holli’s support was indispensable in every step, from organizing the book to writing and editing it.”
— Ryo Morimoto, Princeton University
“Working with Holli has helped me better understand what I have to say and offer to my field. Her ongoing writing coaching and development editing has helped turn a long-neglected manuscript into a vastly revised book proposal I feel excited to work on. Her expertise is publishing and her deep engagement with ideas is beyond my expectations. And the renewed confidence I feel after working with her is invaluable.”
— Fiona Morgan, Branchhead Consulting
“As an early career academic, I could not have done without Holli’s help. She has great analytical skills and an astute understanding of the weaknesses and strengths of my writing. Working with her has helped improve my writing skills substantially. She has done an incredible job in accommodating me with deadlines, which gives me the confidence that I have someone who is there to help me whenever I need her editing skills.”
— Cevat Dargin, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
