My Editorial Philosophy

I believe people are full of world-changing ideas. But world-changing ideas only matter if they are shared in a way that makes people pay attention. Great writing makes people pay attention, and has the potential to teach people, to encourage people to grow, and to spark necessary conversations.

As an editor, it is my responsibility to help develop that great writing. It is my responsibility to push a writer beyond what they believe themselves to be capable of. It is my responsibility to see what ideas are said between the lines and bring them to the forefront.  It is my job to add perspective. And I do all this so a writer’s words can piece the hearts and minds of their readers, so a writer’s words can change the world in ways big and small.

These responsibilities require me to stay perpetually curious about a writer’s ideas housed in the manuscript; to think critically about the words on the page and how they will be perceived by the readers; and to be open to offering and accepting challenges and questions from the writer about intent and impact of ideas.

I believe the editorial space between an editor and a writer is one of the most intimate spaces of collaboration. We both want the manuscript to be the best representation of ideas that it can be. As a result, I believe that neither the writer or the editor should ever reject an idea from the start. It’s not “my way or the highway” in the editorial space. All edits and revisions are made after thinking deeply and critically about the manuscript. Rejections of edits and revisions take the same care.

My goal of editing is to help a writer change the world and its discourse—or at least a small segment of the world and its discourse—for the better.

My Services

Expand each service for a brief overview of the service. For more further details or terms of service on any service, please reach out via the Contact page form.

  • A high-level edit that analyzes the manuscript holistically. I pay specific attention to craft elements including, but not limited to, plot, structure, flow, dialogue, character development, clarity, voice, themes, conflict, and tension. A developmental edit is great for authors who want to dive deep into overarching challenges found in the manuscript to resolve these issues early in the writing process.

  • A comprehensive in-document edit where I use Track Changes to provide specific suggestions to your manuscript to accomplish goals discussed in Developmental Edit. This service is only available as an add-on to the Developmental Edit at this time.

  • A meticulous line-level edit of your manuscript completed in Track Changes where I tighten language while preserving your voice; edit for grammar, spelling, and punctuation; note inconsistencies in wording; query substantive changes that may be required; and create a style sheet to ensure consistency through the manuscript.

  • A final edit as the last step before finalizing manuscript to catch any remaining grammar, spelling, punctuation, and typesetting errors. I recommend this service particularly to authors planning to self-publish.

  • A high-level analysis of a character or characters in your manuscript that reviews how the selected characters impact the story overall. I will look at background, character development, character goals and motives, relationships with other characters, and more.

  • A meeting to discuss ideas for your manuscript with another literary minded brain! We can talk about anything having to do with your manuscript during this session. Available in 30 or 60 minute increments.