Editorial Services
Ghostwriting
I work with ghostwriting clients of all stripes—from authors with a book deal in traditional publishing to those who want to self-publish their own work. As a non-fiction ghostwriter, I work closely with my authors to understand their goals, develop and shape their book idea, interview for content, write the full manuscript, and revise. This process ends with a finished manuscript in hand, ready to hand off for production.
I work in non-fiction only, and specialize in memoir, pop culture, mind-body-spirit, and self-health books, although I have fifteen years’ experience writing across a vast array of non-fiction categories.
Book proposal writing
Book proposals are a very unique and specialized art, an interesting fusion of sales document and editorial showcase. As a former acquisitions editor myself, I understand what editors are looking for when making decisions about the manuscripts that cross their desk and write with that in mind. I have a 100% success rate of book proposals placed with major publishers, including Penguin-Random House, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette.
developmental editing
As an acquisitions editor at Random House, my job was to hold my authors' hand as they moved through the book writing process from beginning to end. Part of this was helping them bring their draft manuscript to the next level. This means pointing out specific sections, sentences, and even phrases that need additional attention. What information is missing? What feels disruptive? Where do I feel like you're holding back and can really let it fly? I point out any voice or tonal issues and offer strategies to remedy them and, when necessary, I also offer structural guidance. At the end of the process, you will have an in-depth editorial letter and queried manuscript in hand, including a proposed strategy for moving forward.
Not sure which editorial service is right for you?
Book coaching
Book coaching is somewhat of an emerging service in the world of publishing, and it’s currently one of my favorite things to do. I enjoy and believe in it so much—and it can be so varied—that I’ve dedicated an entire page to the topic!
manuscript evaluation
I give your manuscript a thorough read through just like I would as an in-house acquisitions editor, then make recommendations for structure, content, and voice. I let you know what really works about your book, too (which is just as important to know as what’s not working, and often over-looked). At the end of the process, I will deliver an editorial letter of my professional observations that includes a detailed plan for moving forward, as well as an optional phone or video chat for any questions you might have or items you want to discuss.
publishing consulting
I started my career in publishing as en editorial assistant in 1999. Since then, I've done pretty much every job possible: acquisitions editor, author, ghostwriter, book coach, and book proposal writer. I've worked in-house at Big 5 publishers and as a freelancer. All of this is to say that not only do I have a lot of experience, but I have several different vantage points of the publishing industry from which to draw from in a mentoring/consulting capacity.
Through consulting calls, I offer my insights and expertise on a wide variety of topics, ranging from determining which type of publishing is right for you (traditional or self-publishing) to hashing out a writing plan for your book idea to tips for breaking into the world of freelance writing and editing.