Editing designed for your needs

Writing can be hard — let’s make it exhilarating.

As both a development editor and writing coach, I’m here to help you advocate for your choices and implement your visions; as a copyeditor, I can make your final stages easier and take the weight of detail off your shoulders.

The key is fluidity.

We can put together a customized and flexible plan for your needs, including a blend of writing coaching, development editing, and line or copyediting. The structure of the project and its fee depend on the work you need done and the workflow we agree will work best. Rates vary, according to complexity of the project and the type of manuscript. Full projects require an up-front deposit, which will be prorated against the final total; ongoing work can be billed hourly and paid in periodic installments.

For an individual assessment of your project’s scope and possibilities, schedule a conversation today.

A mix and match kind of thing

Development Editing

Developmental editing focuses on big picture issues and goals. It can vary from very in-depth to lighter, depending on the state of your manuscript and the stage at which we start working together. Together we determine what to focus on and how to approach your text , as well as the level and complexity of your edit, according to your needs.

Developmental editing usually happens at a few different stages.

First, you can contact me in the beginning, when your project is still in formation, and we can work together to focus your ideas, hone your argumentation, and develop a structure and direction for your book.

Second, developmental editors often come in when you have a full draft and need feedback and guidance on what to do next.

Third, I can come in when you have revised your book in response to reader or press comments and need feedback about the nature and effectiveness of your response, as well as text clean-up and formatting help. I’m very good at citations!

Developmental editing services include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Develop project outlines, ideas, and argumentation

  • Focus writing

  • Organize manuscripts at book, chapter, and subsection levels

  • Help with book proposals and pitch letters

  • Perform full manuscript critique and provide areas for revision and development

  • Help you respond to reader feedback and press requests for revision

  • Provide line edits and copyedits to prepare manuscript for submission

  • Provide guidance for shifting your dissertation into a book

Writing Coaching

Writing coaching focuses on the process of writing, tailored to what would help you in the different stages of thinking, forming, writing, and revising your ideas. Writing can feel like a solitary endeavor; writing coaches can help break through that isolation and create an ongoing, lively place for intellectual engagement as you make your ideas ready for publication, in all its forms.

Writing coaching is closely related to developmental editing, and I consider it part of the tools for writing development. For some people, one-off written feedback is most effective, but for many others, a more dialogic combination of written and verbal feedback, meetings to discuss revision and ideas, and help breaking down their writing process is helpful.

In addition to developmental manuscript work and related ongoing conversations, writing coaching can include personalized resources such as one-on-one workshops on argumentation, explanations of the logic of common genres, practical tools for breaking through writing block or overwhelm, workflow management, and whatever could be of use to you.

Writing coaching services include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Meet regularly for brainstorming, feedback, and check-in

  • Create doable writing schedules for your goals

  • Break down projects into manageable capsules and develop approaches to attaining them

  • Create workshops/resources personalized to your genres, challenges, or goals

  • Be available as a resource for bouncing off ideas, thinking through blocks, and planning workflow

  • Provide guidance for responding to reviewer or press comments and revision plans

Copyediting

Copyediting focuses on the details of your work rather than the ideas or argumentation. It is close work on your manuscript at sentence and word level, as well as a check for consistency of style and formatting across the manuscript. Copyediting usually happens once you have a manuscript pinned down, when it needs final polishing either right before submission for publication or at the final stages of publishing.

I copyedit manuscripts of varying lengths and complexities in conformity with industry and field-specific requirements, including the Chicago Manual of Style, APA, and MLA. I work in Word using the track changes function. Every change I make or suggest is marked so that you have complete review power to accept or reject changes. Copyediting projects also include a style sheet marking choices I have made in spelling, style, and the like, which you can use in the rest of the process for consistency.

Copyediting services include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Clarity

  • Grammar and spelling

  • Word choice and style

  • Capitalization and titles

  • Consistency of formatting and sections

  • Adherence to style manuals and house style

  • Citation protocols and completeness

Let’s talk!

Whatever your area of research or state of your project, I’d love to meet you and learn about what you’re up to and where you want to go.

Hopefully we can get there together.