Working together

As an editor with over fifteen years of experience acquiring and editing stories for readers of all ages, at both Big Five and independent publishing houses, I have unique insights into storytelling, craft, and market patterns. I have edited award-winning and bestselling books for the youngest readers (board books and picture books), tween and teen readers (middle grade and YA fiction and non-fiction), and adult fiction and memoir.

I am available for a range of editorial services, from manuscript assessments, to developmental editing, to creative coaching on an ongoing basis. Please reach out to share a brief pitch of your project (including word count, genre, and age category) and your goals in working with an editor. If your project sounds like a fit for my experience and upcoming schedule, I’ll create a custom package to suit your needs.

  • This is a great place to start if you’re looking for a big-picture take on your manuscript, including plot, pacing, and character development. I’ll closely read your manuscript and then we’ll schedule a 60-minute phone call to discuss my notes, brainstorm potential solutions, and clarify your next steps. (Note: this service does not include an annotated manuscript or written notes, but you are welcome to take notes during our call.)

  • This package is best suited for writers who have already revised their manuscript at least once before. You might be looking for additional support on a manuscript you’re stuck on, preparing to query agents, or interested in self-publishing. At a certain point, you’ve taken your manuscript as far as you can on your own, and an outside perspective is essential for next steps. A full developmental editing package includes:

    • A close read of your manuscript

    • Margin comments that reflect big picture notes and line-level suggestions

    • An editorial letter highlighting your manuscript’s strengths, areas to work on, and recommendations for problem-solving

    • A 60-minute phone call after you’ve digested the notes, as an opportunity to ask questions and brainstorm together

    At the end of our work together, you’ll have a clear plan for next steps.

  • I have had the privilege of working closely with dozens of writers as they develop their craft and write the stories only they can tell. Each manuscript, and each creator, has different needs, challenges, and priorities. I deeply value these collaborative relationships and I am happy to offer one-on-one creative coaching and support in your writing practice, including:

    • Regular meetings to discuss and problem-solve around a specific project, from plot and character development to market insights and pitching strategy

    • Support in prioritizing which projects to pursue, untangling threads, and managing mental blocks

    • Reading and offering feedback on pages as you write and revise on an ongoing basis, or at pre-determined checkpoints

    Coaching can happen on an ongoing basis, or over just a few sessions. Please reach out to share details about your project and what you’re working through, and I’ll create a customized package to reflect your needs.

  • Are you ready to query literary agents, but stuck on your pitch, query letter, or list of potential agents? I can advise on these parts of the process, and offer notes to improve your pitch and comps.

  • Do you have questions about industry practices, working in trade publishing, children’s books, freelance editing, Hudson Valley diners, or anything else within my areas of expertise? Book a 30 or 60-minute office hours session, and we’ll have dedicated time to chat about whatever is on your mind!

Get in touch


A note on AI

I will never use AI in any part of our work together. If you hire me, you are benefiting from my 100% human brain, years of editing and publishing experience, and encyclopedic knowledge of various disconnected subjects like 20th century baseball history, gluten-free baking, and dinosaur species (thanks to my son). I promise I will never feed your work into a large language model (LLM), or use one as a tool in my process.

Likewise, I will not edit or work with AI-generated content. There are many reasons for this: for one, AI-generated material tends to be wordy and repetitive in ways that make it frustrating to edit. For another, the environmental impact of using generative AI is catastrophic. And finally, I am ethically opposed to a practice that generates material by mining previously published works (without consent of the authors) and bypasses the hard work of making sentences.

If we work together, you are asserting that your work was generated by your 100% human brain—and heart—which could never be replicated by any kind of LLM!