Editorial Services
Coaching
I often tell my students that writing a book is like running a marathon. Sometimes you just need support to get you to the finish line. I've worked with writers who had never written anything longer than a blog post, but have completed an entire book in just months after hiring me. My coaching style is supportive and encouraging, with a healthy dose of accountability.
Have a book idea, but don't live in the Bay Area? I can still guide you through the book proposal process. I've talked to dozens of agents, editors and writers about what makes a salable book idea. Most of my client work is by phone or video. Let's talk and we'll see if I'm the right match for your project.
One-on-One Manuscript Consulting
In addition to classes and workshops, I also provide one-on-one manuscript consulting for essays and longform nonfiction. I love helping writers take their ideas and turn them into books. My clients have published on a variety of nonfiction topics from memoirs to reported and investigative projects that have won awards. I offer two options for consulting:
Full Developmental Edit: At the beginning, we’ll have a conversation about your project, and I’ll ask you a lot of questions. Then I thoroughly read your manuscript and provide developmental notes on structure, narrative, pacing, characters, and folding in research. Then we discuss my suggestions for taking your manuscript to the next draft.
Read-through evaluation: This is a slightly cheaper option for writers who are in the beginning drafting phase, and don't require detailed analysis and line edits.
Upcoming Classes
Developing Your Creative Nonfiction Book: From Idea to Proposal
Course Location: Stanford University
Dates: October 15, 2022
Nonfiction books, unlike novels, can frequently be sold on the basis of a fifty-page proposal. This two-day workshop will give you the ins and outs of book-proposal writing. How do you know if your idea can be expanded into a book? What is a book proposal and how do you write one? How do you gain the attention of New York agents and editors? We will look at how to develop an idea into a strong proposal that stands out in a highly competitive marketplace. We will look at the types of books you can sell before you write them—including memoirs, narrative journalism, histories, and biographies. Students will study examples of proposals that led to book deals, and get the inside scoop on the publishing industry, with tips on the best way to find an agent. We will also have an opportunity to share ideas with one another, refining and sharpening our concepts for the proposals. This workshop is designed for students who want to flesh out an idea and for writers who have already delved into their projects, but need insight on structure and on the best way to pitch their book to a publisher.
Register at Stanford Continuing Studies or contact me to find out about upcoming classes.
I often tell my students that writing a book is like running a marathon. Sometimes you just need support to get you to the finish line. I've worked with writers who had never written anything longer than a blog post, but have completed an entire book in just months after hiring me. My coaching style is supportive and encouraging, with a healthy dose of accountability.
Have a book idea, but don't live in the Bay Area? I can still guide you through the book proposal process. I've talked to dozens of agents, editors and writers about what makes a salable book idea. Most of my client work is by phone or video. Let's talk and we'll see if I'm the right match for your project.
One-on-One Manuscript Consulting
In addition to classes and workshops, I also provide one-on-one manuscript consulting for essays and longform nonfiction. I love helping writers take their ideas and turn them into books. My clients have published on a variety of nonfiction topics from memoirs to reported and investigative projects that have won awards. I offer two options for consulting:
Full Developmental Edit: At the beginning, we’ll have a conversation about your project, and I’ll ask you a lot of questions. Then I thoroughly read your manuscript and provide developmental notes on structure, narrative, pacing, characters, and folding in research. Then we discuss my suggestions for taking your manuscript to the next draft.
Read-through evaluation: This is a slightly cheaper option for writers who are in the beginning drafting phase, and don't require detailed analysis and line edits.
Upcoming Classes
Developing Your Creative Nonfiction Book: From Idea to Proposal
Course Location: Stanford University
Dates: October 15, 2022
Nonfiction books, unlike novels, can frequently be sold on the basis of a fifty-page proposal. This two-day workshop will give you the ins and outs of book-proposal writing. How do you know if your idea can be expanded into a book? What is a book proposal and how do you write one? How do you gain the attention of New York agents and editors? We will look at how to develop an idea into a strong proposal that stands out in a highly competitive marketplace. We will look at the types of books you can sell before you write them—including memoirs, narrative journalism, histories, and biographies. Students will study examples of proposals that led to book deals, and get the inside scoop on the publishing industry, with tips on the best way to find an agent. We will also have an opportunity to share ideas with one another, refining and sharpening our concepts for the proposals. This workshop is designed for students who want to flesh out an idea and for writers who have already delved into their projects, but need insight on structure and on the best way to pitch their book to a publisher.
Register at Stanford Continuing Studies or contact me to find out about upcoming classes.