Limited slots available:
This is a full, comprehensive edit of your manuscript that covers it all: character development, story structure, plot choices, writing strengths, and sentence construction. (This is also sometimes known as a content edit, or a structural edit.)
To have a manuscript developmentally edited is a true masterclass in craft, based on your own work. There is absolutely no better way to strengthen your writing than to work with an editor who gets you and understands your goal, with an editor who wants to help you advance your skills.
What You’ll Receive:
A Revision Letter
This is the meat of your developmental edit. It’s a document that details not only what you do well (because that’s important to know) but also covers where you can improve your work in terms of form and structure. This ranges from 3–10 pages, depending on the manuscript’s needs, and the letter will become your road map for making big changes to your manuscript.
Please note: I occasionally suggest fixes when they make sense to offer, but an editor’s most important job is to note where something isn’t working. As Daniel Handler said, “The editor is the patient, and you are the doctor.” As your editor, I’ll tell you where your book hurts. You’ll be the one to fix it and make it better.
Also please note: These can be very hard to receive. You did your best, and there’s still so much work to be done? Gahhh! I still find them difficult to receive myself. But you can handle it, and I give suggestions on how to prep for receiving a revision letter to those who work with me, because I’m used to being on both sides.
A Fully Marked-Up Manuscript
Using Track Changes in Microsoft Word, I’ll note within the document what can be improved (I also point out what I admire). This is where I’ll leave you notes on the big-picture things (plot, character, stakes, tension, pacing) as well as smaller line edits, where I’ll point out how a sentence or paragraph can be tightened for greater literary effect.
FAQ
- When is my book ready for a developmental edit?
- You should have your book in the best shape that you can get it in. You wouldn’t have the housecleaner come over without putting away all the clutter, would you? If everything you own covers all the surfaces of your home, the cleaner won’t be able to spend any time on the important big things — they’ll just be tidying things that don’t matter as much. You will definitely have already done two complete drafts, beginning to end, and many people will do 4–8 drafts before sending it to an editor.
Do sign up for my mailing list for writers if you don’t think you’re quite there yet – you’ll get a whole video class (free!) on my revision tactics and techniques in the autoresponder sequence! Join HERE.
- What do you charge?
- I charge 3.5 cents ($0.035) per word for fiction and 4 cents ($0.04) per word for memoir. (Current 2026 EFA rate guidelines here.)
- Do you edit my genre?
- I specialize in memoir and fiction of all genres, and have taught both at UC Berkeley and Stanford. I’m happy to talk to you about editing prescriptive nonfiction, though for that, I prefer to send you to AJ Harper, who is the ultimate expert. I’m not the best fit for short story collections, flash, poetry, or graphic novels.
- Do you fix typos?
- I will note typos as I see them, but this isn’t a copyedit. That’s a later, cheaper edit that only comes after you’ve rewritten your book, when you’re sure all those words deserve to stay.
- What if I used AI to help me write my book?
- If you write with AI, you should use AI to edit it. (Do note that AI writing is now watermarked and detectable in many models, as of August 2026.) I support your decision to use any tools you need, but I only work with writers who spend the time and energy to hone their own voices and ideas (which is where the really good stuff is), rather than accepting the inevitable flattening effect of AI. And said with great love, if you can’t be bothered to write it, I can’t be bothered to read/edit it.
- What if we’ve already worked together?
- If I’ve coached or taught you in the past, there’s a strong possibility that I’ll be unable to be impartial to your work, and therefore won’t be able to edit it. That said, feel free to reach out and ask!
- I’m the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen books in six genres. I’ve taught writing at Stanford and UC Berkeley, and I’ve been editing, teaching, and coaching writers for more than ten years. Editing is something I love to do, and I believe in sandwiching suggestions between lots of compliments because writing is hard, yo, and you deserve support.
Who are you, actually?
Are we the right fit?
In order to decide whether we’re a good match, I offer new clients a sample edit of 1,000–1,500 words. Please send an excerpt from the middle of your book in industry-standard format (Word document, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, Times New Roman font) via email to: