Editing Services
I have 15+ years of editing and publishing experience, and I'm fascinated with helping my clients clear away the clutter and find the true essence of their stories.
I like to work at the earlier stages of editing, when all the bigger questions are being addressed. I provide editorial assessments, developmental editing, and coaching/editing sessions (I don't copyedit or proofread).
I specialize in nonfiction with a special interest in essay collections, memoirs, and manuscripts that engage topics of personal transformation, mindfulness, and spirituality. I also love writing that has a sense of humor and playfulness. I am a poet and also specialize in poetry manuscripts and hybrid nonfiction/poetry manuscripts.
I have an MA in English literature, and I was the editor-in-chief of Ruminate Literary Magazine for 13 years. I am also a certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach and a graduate of The Center for Action & Contemplation’s Living School founded by Richard Rohr.
I bring all this experience and my love for unearthing the essence of stories together in my editing and book coaching work.
Sign up for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your project and make sure we’re a good fit. Or you can email me and we can discuss your project that way, too.
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The Services:
Coaching for the writer (for any stage of the writing process):
There are the outer aspects of writing a book and then there is the inner work it takes to believe that your words matters, to show up for your creativity, and to share your writing and be visible. Writing and publishing a book is a transformative experience that requires courage and a strong sense of yourself. I love helping people tap into this deeper selfhood so that they can foster a more loving and relaxed writing practice and a true-to-them publishing experience, which, no surprise, makes for powerful books that people want to read.
+ As a certified Wayfinder Life Coach, one of my specialties is creativity/writing. I'll help you access your creativity, move through any stuck areas, get curious about what’s in the way or holding you back, and get your work/practice in motion
+ Sessions are $88/hour
+ Coaching sessions are via phone, zoom, or walk-and-talk coaching sessions for folks in Fort Collins, CO
+ See my calendar and book a session here, if you’d like
Coaching for the book (for any stage of the writing process):
These sessions are a combination of consulting, coaching, and editorial feedback and they are especially helpful for people wanting editorial feedback plus a little more ongoing support, camaraderie, and accountability during the book-writing process.
+ We'll meet for at least 4 sessions to help you pursue your book goals
+ You'll send me up to 5,000 words of new material or material you are re-working at least 48 hours prior to each session (if you want to send me more than 5,000 words, I charge an additional .015 cents/word)
+ Our 1-hour zoom call sessions (can be recorded) will include verbal feedback on the submitted material. We can talk about the writing process, submission goals, and I'll help you move through any blocks and plan next steps
+ Pricing is $150/session
+ For a quote/availability, email me with your current word count, the topic of your book, and, if possible, some sample pages or an outline. For existing editing clients, you can book a session here.
Editorial assessment (can be done as soon as you have at least half of your first draft completed):
+ I provide a detailed editorial letter with an analysis of the manuscript and specific suggestions, notes, and recommendations for improving the manuscript
+ I cover any issues with structure, pacing, flow, organization, logic, voice/tone, focus, accuracy, clarity, and any other larger issues that might spoil the reading experience. I will also provide solutions for addressing any issues
+ We’ll meet for a 1.5 hour zoom call to discuss the manuscript and steps for taking it to the next level
+ Pricing is .025 cents/word
+ For a quote/availability, email me with your current word count and the topic of your book, and some sample pages, ideally from your intro or first chapter.
Developmental editing (typically done after you've written most or all of your first draft):
+ I provide a detailed editorial letter with an analysis of the manuscript and specific suggestions, notes, and recommendations for improving the manuscript from a big-picture perspective
+ I edit the manuscript document with Word Track Changes markup and provide specific developmental editing suggestions and extensive sidebar comments
+ I cover any issues with structure, pacing, flow, organization, logic, voice/tone, focus, accuracy, clarity, and any other larger issues that might spoil the reading experience. I will also provide solutions for addressing any issues
+ We’ll meet for a 1.5 hour phone or zoom call to discuss your manuscript and my suggestions for taking it to the next level
+ Pricing is .035 cents/word
+For a quote/availability, email me with your current word count, the topic of your book, and some sample pages, ideally from your intro or first chapter.
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What my editing clients are saying…
“I considered many editors for my book. It was not a choice I took lightly, but after interviewing several other editors, it became clear that Brianna is quite simply a magic human—one who can do her job so efficiently that she's able to offer services at a fair price while delivering above and beyond her clients' expectations. I'm SO glad I chose her. Not only did she work quickly (which helped me stay on track with the project) but her edits were truly thoughtful, tailored to my voice as an author, and crafted specifically to strengthen the message I'm sharing in my book. To say she made my work stronger would be a ridiculous understatement. Brianna lifted the potential of my book so that it truly has the potential to make a mark in the world.” —Kelly LaPlante
“I loved working with Brianna! I can tell she really took the time to read and understand my book on a deep level. She was very thoughtful and detailed with her feedback. She also has a kind heart and really wants to encourage writers. She made the process fun and I now have the tools I need to take my book idea to the next level. I highly recommend!!!” —Allison Zatarain
“Brianna is the best!!! Hands down. If you are thinking about having someone do your editing, choose her! Stop looking, and pay her. And if the timing doesn't work, then change your dates for her!” —Samson Sembeba
“Brianna was amazing to work with, and I don't use that word lightly. I was impressed from the very start that she understood my project and what I was trying to convey to my readers, even with very little background on the topic. She dove right in and got to the heart of my project. She helped me immensely, not only with pacing, voice, and accuracy, but also brainstorming together on a Zoom call about my overall theme and narrative arc. I appreciated that extra face time where we had a conversation, rather than just through email correspondence. She gave honest feedback that will strengthen my book and me as a writer. She truly cares and is passionate about your work and her job as an editor. If you need someone for a developmental edit in the very early stages of your book, or like me where you just have a confused mess of writing and need help/don't know where to go next, I highly recommend her. She will get you organized and on the right track. Thank you Brianna!” —Cassie Houchin
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