Looking to publish your manuscript?
Let’s work together.
Does any of this sound like you?
- “I’ve got a great story, but I’m not sure where to start.“
- “I’m losing momentum and abandoning my writing projects.”
- “I want to write about the difficult things I’ve lived through, but it’s just too painful.”
- “I spent months refreshing Submittable only to get one (or five) form rejection letters. “
- “I’m not hearing back from the agents I’ve queried, and now I feel “
I get it. Writing is hard. We all have our blind spots.
Successful writers find out what they are.
That’s where I come in.
I can help you become the type of writer who actually achieves her dreams.
Stick with me and you’ll finally be able to:
● finish your writing projects and produce more work
● write that difficult life story
● learn what’s working and what to improve in your manuscripts
● increase the number of acceptances you receive
● feel proud of the work you produce
You’ve got the passion and creativity; I’ve got the expertise.
Together, we can get your stories written and published.
I’m an editor who thinks outside the box. I have a background, not just in writing, but also in mindfulness and mental health. Sure, I know how to tell kickass stories. But I also know how people create and learn. And that whole ‘emotions getting in the way of writing’ thing? I’ve got you covered.
I’ve spent the last 6 years helping people like you strengthen your skills and craft. My proven process includes:
- establishing clear goals and benchmarks for success
- defining and refining your vision for your project
- applying feedback and pinpointing resources to help improve your skills
- building a plan to take your project to the next level
If you work with me one-on-one, you’ll unlock true confidence in your skills and the next steps you need to take.
By the time we’re through, you’ll have the tools and insights you need to write the stories that transform the world.
Ready to get started?
Services
Private Coaching Sessions
If you’re stuck in a writing slump, you’ve lost your writing mojo, or you’re staring at the first page of your book and feeling overwhelmed, private coaching is for you.
Each one-on-one coaching session gives you the space, support, and guidance to discuss your goals, establish a plan for success, and start working to achieve it.
These virtual sessions are conducted by phone or Zoom video call, so you can attend from the comfort of your home, office, or writing studio.
Options include:
- Jumpstart: Single Session without manuscript review – $135
- Tune-Up: Single session with 10-page (2,500-word) manuscript review – $215
- Launch: Four coaching sessions without manuscript reviews – $500
- Project Revise or Reboot: 4 coaching sessions + 2 10-page manuscript reviews – $650
- The Intensive: 4 coaching sessions + 4 10-page manuscript reviews – $850
- In-process 30-minute check-ins: $70
Want to book a coaching package? Contact me to get started.
Manuscript Evaluations
Don’t hit submit without getting feedback! I can help you identify missed opportunities, fine-tune your final product, and upgrade your writing in small or substantial ways. You’ll rest assured that you’ve sent the best version of your work into the world.
I offer 2 kinds of evaluations. ? Both include a close reading of your work that addresses plot, structure, pacing, character, point of view, setting, dialogue, scene and when applicable, use of the retrospective voice. For nonfiction projects, feedback will also address the writer’s concept, thesis, the balance of narrative and arguments, and audience.
Partial Manuscript Evaluation
Who it’s for:
This evaluation is perfect for someone who is looking for direction while they work on their project, or someone who’s finished the first draft of a manuscript and wants guidance before starting the revision process.
What you’ll receive:
- 30-minute consultation to discuss author concerns and goals
- In-text comments on your manuscript pointing out what’s working as well as what may require more clarity
- 3 – 5-page editorial letter outlining the manuscript’s strengths and opportunities for revision
- One-hour follow-up session to discuss the next steps in your drafting process.
Cost: $350 for 25 pages / 6,250 words
Full Manuscript Evaluation
Who it’s for:
This evaluation is perfect for authors who’ve completed a strong draft of their work-in-progress. If you want to address any remaining structural edits before you move on to line-editing and copyediting your project, this service is for you.
What you’ll receive:
- 30-minute consultation to discuss author concerns and goals
- In-text comments on your manuscript pointing out what’s working as well as what may require more clarity
- 7 – 10-page editorial letter outlining the manuscript’s strengths and opportunities for revision
- One-hour follow-up session to discuss the next steps in your drafting process.
Cost: $1,400 for 60,000 words ($165 for each additional 10,000 words)
Developmental Editing & Custom Packages – $5,000+
If your project has serious problems, I can help you make substantial changes that will improve your chances of getting published. This package is perfect for writers who need considerable support and feedback as they revise their manuscripts. We’ll collaborate to solve problems around your book’s concept, thesis, narrative structure, and genre-based literary elements. (Please note: Though I may provide some sentence-level feedback, developmental editing is not the same as copy editing.)
What you’ll receive:
- 30-minute consultation to discuss author concerns and goals
- Evaluation on a 70,000-word manuscript (additional fees apply for longer manuscripts)
- Feedback on four revised 50-page (12, 500-word) sections of your manuscript, including in-text comments and a 3 – 5-page editorial letter
- Four coaching sessions to discuss project outlines, timelines, needed skills, and any other project-related concerns
Want to discuss developmental editing or a custom package just for you? Contact me to get started.
FAQs
What exactly do you do during a coaching session?
The focus of coaching depends on your goals and how I can best help you get there. We may use our time together to develop a writing plan, examine a piece of writing of up to 10 pages (2,500=-words), talk about skills you might need to learn, create an outline for your book, or work on structural issues in your project.
How will we meet?
Depending on your location and preference, we can meet by telephone, Zoom, or WhatsApp. In-person meetings are available for clients who live in Charlottesville, Virginia.
When should I consider a manuscript evaluation?
Manuscript evaluations are great before you query agents or submit work to independent presses. They’re a must if you’re receiving rejections without much feedback. Please note that evaluation packages are designed for manuscripts that are fairly polished. By the time you send a manuscript to me for evaluation, you should have already written multiple drafts, sent the work to beta readers, revised your work based on beta reader feedback, and most importantly, hit spell check.
What’s the difference between a partial (25-page) and full manuscript evaluation?
A 25-page evaluation is a cost-effective way to receive feedback on your writing style, the setup of your manuscript, and specific story elements, such as point of view, character development, scene writing, pacing, and dialogue. In addition to the items above, a full manuscript will assess your narrative arc, the overall pacing and the flow of ideas, and the execution of your plot. I will also identify content that is tangential to your manuscript as well as areas for further development.
How should I format my manuscript before sending it to you?
Great question! Format your manuscript in the following way:
- Name and title of the manuscript left-aligned in the header
- Page numbers right-aligned in either the header or footer
- Use a 12-point easy-to-read font like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman
- Double-space your document
Before you hit submit, check the formatting of your document to ensure nothing’s missing and there are no extra pages. Be sure to run spell check.
Lisa’s insights and knowledge of the craft have proven invaluable in helping me gain clarity on how to tell my story. She’s a thorough and thoughtful reader with a keen eye for identifying specific ways to make any piece of writing great. She offers excellent feedback on things like structure, plot, narrative arc, pacing, characterization, point of view, scene dynamics, and dialogue. Her feedback has not only proven practical but also inspiring.”