I offer manuscript consultations, editing services, and book coaching.
Fill out this interest form and I’ll be in touch. Fees and information below.
EXPERIENCE
In addition to writing and publishing two novels with Penguin Random House, my teaching and editing experience includes teaching writing at the University of Virginia, the University of Houston, Houston Community College, Oberlin College, Sweet Briar College, Pacific University, in online courses, and at several writing conferences. I’ve screened and recommended MFA applications, and I’ve edited the literary magazines Third Coast, Virginia Quarterly Review, and Meridian.
TO NOTE
I have experience in screenwriting, and can offer particular help to screenwriters interested in fleshing out their novel idea, finishing a manuscript, or revising.
While I am open to reading almost anything, my interests are in literary fiction, speculative fiction, family stories, love stories and romance, non-traditional narratives, lyrical writing, memoir, cinematic ideas, and commercial fiction. If you are writing a hard sci-fi or hard fantasy project, I’m probably not the best consultant for you.
Note on AI: please do not send anything that is generated from an AI platform.
SERVICES
Manuscript Consultation and Developmental Edit - $2500*
This includes a full read of the manuscript, and in-depth 6+ page editorial letter, and a one-hour video call to go over the letter. After a brief call to discuss your goals, I will read your manuscript over the course of 4 weeks and deliver a critique in the form of an editorial letter. My editorial letters include what’s working, section-by-section analysis, and suggestions for where the manuscript could go and how to get it there. I will analyze themes, characters, arcs, plot, and structure, among other craft elements.
*This fee is for any manuscript up to 80k words. For every 2k words over 80k, it will be an additional $200.
Video call consultation - $250 per hour
This service can be booked if you have a novel idea you want to flesh out, a chapter you’re stuck on, or a craft or writing business question you’d like to discuss. Before the call, I will read up to 7000 words and be prepared to discuss.
Ongoing book coaching - $250 per week
This service is for those who want help getting a vague novel idea off the ground. Weekly one-hour video calls can be used to help brainstorm, make a plan, review pages written that week, and for accountability. I will read new pages weekly (up to 7000 words) and discuss them on the call, track progress, make suggestions, and help you get started or get through a stuck period. Can be booked in one month (4 video calls) increments.
Line Editing - 5 cents a word
This service can be used on a full manuscript or on specific sections. I will line-edit in either Word or Google with an eye towards both grammar and style. I will look at syntax, lyricism, coherence, and how the style fits in the bigger picture.
PROCESS
You’ll sign a short contract at the start of the project. For manuscript consultations and edits, half of the payment is due (through Zelle or PayPal) at the start of the project, and half is due within 24 hours of delivery of the editorial letter. For video call consultations, half is due at the submission of your material and half is due within 24 hours of the call.