Book Doula Services

Developmental Editing

For authors with opening chapters, a partially completed manuscript, or a complete manuscript who are seeking support in honing the big-picture structure and direction of their book.

• An “eagle-eye” edit focusing on key themes, argument, narrative and/or emotional arc, and recommendations for further writing, as well as areas to cut back.

• Essential reflection questions on your areas of strength and growth as a writer.

• Reflections on tone, structure, pacing consistency, voice, rigor, plot & character development (if applicable), and overall cohesion, marked up within the manuscript.

• Reflection and feedback on author voice and presentation—clarity, consistency, artistry, market placement, and authenticity.

• A detailed editorial letter outlining the manuscript’s strengths and areas of growth.

• Support in developing the strongest and most marketable title/subtitle for your book.

• Email and phone support as needed throughout the editing process.

Deliverables: A detailed editorial letter explaining my feedback, suggestions, and big-picture comments and critiques, light markup in the chapters/manuscript.

Substantive & Line Editing

For authors with a completed manuscript who are ready to sharpen and polish the work to the fullest before submitting to agents or publishers.

• Line editing to ensure your sentences and structure convey your desired message, with suggested edits to sharpen and polish your prose. With an eye toward syntax, repetition, and usage, line editing ensures sure your content is as polished and dynamic as possible while maintaining your voice and style.

• Includes feedback on big-picture elements such as structure, pacing, genre fit, argument, character or point of view, and depth of research.

• Feedback is delivered after the draft is finished, making the process less collaborative and more evaluative than developmental editing.

• Suggested changes are supported by in-line edits and a detailed editorial letter.

Deliverables: A detailed editorial letter explaining my feedback, suggestions, and big-picture comments and critiques, and a fully marked up manuscript.

Book Proposal

For authors with a completed manuscript or book outline or concept. Book proposals are typically the first interaction any editor or agent will have with your book (for a work of nonfiction.) 

Concept Development & Market Positioning

• Clarify the book’s concept: I help you refine the central idea or thesis so it’s focused, authentic, and marketable.

• Identify the target audience: We define who the book is for and why they’ll buy it.

• Market analysis: Assist in researching comparable titles (“comps”) and articulating how the book fills a gap or stands out.

• Genre & category fit: Advise on genres or categories that sell in the current market.

Book Proposal Project Management & Development

• Outlining/structuring the proposal’s overall flow and collaborating with the author to complete each section.

• Timeline management: Help the author create a realistic schedule for proposal completion.

• Accountability: Provide check-ins, feedback deadlines, and encouragement.

• Submission strategy: Advise on agents or publishers to target (within ethical boundaries) and support in creating a query letter.

Deliverables: A fully edited and polished book proposal document (ready for submission); edited sample chapters; a query letter or short pitch to prospective editors/agents.

A La Carte: Additional Consulting & Support Options

• Author marketing platform audit and consult call, includes a 1-3 page letter with recommendations for how to position and market yourself as an author

• Manuscript assessments and 1-3 page editorial letter with summary of feedback (no markup)

• 1 hour consult call on all things book writing and publishing

Why Work With Me 

• I maintain established relationships with agents, authors, editors and distributors across the industry in fiction and nonfiction alike.

• I serve as the bridge between you being alone with your pages to a finished, polished manuscript you feel confident about submitting to agents or publishers.

• Traditional publishing houses are less and less likely to put aside the staff time and resources for in-house developmental edits. I view my work as a bridge between you writing solo and you feeling as confident as possible about submitting your work.

• As an editor for a traditional publishing house I’ve read hundreds of book proposals, and I know what makes proposals and manuscripts stand out to publishers.

• I’m passionate about helping authors identify, clarify, and hone their own voices, and am skilled at drawing out your voice without inserting mine into your work.

• I hold 8+ years of content marketing experience and expertise.

• I’m a writer myself, and as such am a fierce advocate for authors and creatives.

• I am a devoted spiritual student/practitioner and believe writing is an act of co-creation with something beyond ourselves: the divine, alchemical, ancestral, ecological, or all of the above. To that end, I support writers in developing a writing practice and voice connected to unseen help and to spirit—whatever that might mean for them.

A Note on AI

I use AI very occasionally and strategically, e.g. when searching for specific comp titles for your work. I never use AI to generate or edit content for your book. I do not edit AI-generated manuscripts—if you’ve used AI to write your book, please do not submit it to me. It takes an editor’s human intuition and creativity to know how and where to make effective changes to your book. Your work deserves the skill and craftsmanship of a person who understands the complex world of publishing and cares about the art of words. More so, your work deserves an editor who cares about you as an artist—your book, your dreams, and your goals. AI doesn’t care about these things because it literally can’t.

Sentient Publications Disclosure

Working with me does not guarantee in any way publication of your work with Sentient Publications. If you choose to submit your book to Sentient Publications, I may recuse myself from the deliberation process.