My goal is to help you achieve yours:
telling the story or making the argument you’re dying to share, in the voice that reflects you, to the audience you want to reach.

Qualifications

In fall of 2024 I became a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor, which means I have undergone intensive training in story structure and key scenes, and I analyze scenes with 38 different elements to ensure writing hits all the right notes. I’ve also aced editing courses from the Poynter Institute, the Editorial Freelancers Association, and UCLA Extension.

As a writer, I’ve received honors from the National Press Foundation, Folio Magazine, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors, among others.

In science, I have a particular expertise in the life sciences, from a PhD in cell and microbiology and several years writing about neuroscience. 

For more details, see my resume.

Types of Editing

I do developmental editing of book proposals and manuscripts.

That means:

• I focus on the content and structure of the manuscript.

• I look at issues like pacing, flow, and style.

• If you’re telling a narrative tale, I ensure that setting, plot, and character work together, each at the right level of detail for the story you’re telling. Click here to see what a Fictionary-style edit includes.

• If you’re presenting an argument, I make sure the logic makes sense and moves from one point to the next in a way the reader can follow.

The main “return” of a developmental edit is the editorial letter, in which I lay out issues I’ve identified and suggest possible solutions. I also provide chapter-by-chapter or scene-by-scene suggestions. I’m very aware that this is your book, and no one knows it better than you. You may have better solutions than the ones I’ve proposed, or you may feel certain suggestions aren’t right for you; that’s fine.

I also offer manuscript critiques, which include a less in-depth evaluation and editorial letter. For example, a fiction MS critique would include specific commentary on just five key scenes, along with overall feedback.

In addition, I do line editing (also called substantive editing), often in combination with a developmental edit:

• I go through the manuscript at the paragraph, sentence, and word level, pointing out places where any issues arise, and suggesting alternatives or solutions.

• I identify places where voice or tone are inconsistent or don’t fit your goals, and suggest changes.

• I identify areas where your meaning isn’t clear, and suggesting alternatives.

• I seek places where very long sentences would work better as two or more short sentences.

• I look for wordiness or repetitive sections, and suggest trims.

• I suggest where a better structure or word might make your point more effectively.

• I identify cliches where you could make the point better in your own creative words.

Overall, line editing is meant to polish your prose while maintaining your voice. In this case, the “return” is a marked-up manuscript, with comments and changes, tracked so you can accept or reject them.

For either edit type, I aim to:

• Flag what you’ve done well, so you can keep it up.

• Identify problems or opportunities for improvement.

• Suggest solutions to any issues.

These edits are different from copy editing, proofreading, or fact-checking. I’m not out to catch every typo or dangling modifier, or to double-check the spelling of every name or place. That said, I do tend to notice misspellings and grammar issues, and I will certainly flag them as I go along.

My Process

If you’re ready for some fresh eyes on your work, reach out and let’s talk about your project. I want to hear about your goals and any concerns you have. We can start with a free, 5-page edit to make sure we “get” each other and will work well together.

I charge on a per-project basis. Full-edit fees range from 3 to 8 cents per word; a manuscript critique will be less. Payments are in two or more installments. My contracts include up to three free hours of consultation after the edits are returned, with further discussions billed at an hourly rate.