High quality, professional editing services for writers of fiction (novels and short stories) and literary non-fiction (memoir and family histories)
High quality, professional editing services for writers of fiction (novels and short stories) and literary non-fiction (memoir and family histories)
My Services
“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is…the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”
—Mark Twain
Free Sample Edit
Email me three or four pages, double-spaced, of any part of your manuscript, and I’ll edit them at no charge so you can see what I can do for you.
Not sure what kind of edit you’re looking for? Check out the How it Works page for a few tips.
My Mission
I believe that every writer has something worthwhile to say and that every writer has something to learn. My goals for your project are:
To help you refine and polish your work;
To preserve the integrity of your work and your voice as the author;
To provide constructive feedback that helps you write your best;
To help you achieve your full potential as a writer.
I especially enjoy working with first-time or beginning writers and writers who want to take their writing to the next level.
My strength lies in traditional storytelling rather than in experimental fiction. I have edited most genres of fiction, including mainstream contemporary, romance, mystery, fantasy, horror, thriller, historical, magical realism, science fiction, young adult, and middle grade, in both novel and short story forms. I have also edited literary non-fiction, including memoir and family history narratives.
Check out the Successes page for a few examples of books my clients have published.
Developmental, Substantive,
or Content Editing
These words basically describe the same thing—a comprehensive look at the story overall, its plot, narrative development, structure, logic, proportion, pacing, and voice.
Copy Editing
A copy edit falls somewhere between a substantive edit and a line edit. It looks at readability, conciseness, inconsistencies, redundancies, wordiness, and minor plot gaps. Oftentimes a copy edit and a line edit are combined.
Line Editing
A line edit is generally one of the last steps a writer takes before the final proofreading. It includes a close look at syntax, grammar, usage, cadence, spelling, punctuation, and format.
PROOFREADING: Although I try to catch every typo, I do not do final proofreading, so I recommend that you have your manuscript proofread by a third party before final printing or publication.