Hi, I’m Emily, a developmental editor for fantasy and speculative fiction authors. With my knowledge of storycraft I can help you hone the unique magic of your manuscript.

Editing the Elements of Storycraft

Developmental editors give feedback on the “big picture.”

I look at things like pacing, plot structure, character arcs, and theme, and analyze how all these ingredients come together in the complex brew that is your story.

Is the story coherent, or is it likely to confuse readers? Is it emotionally gripping, or could it do more to sink its claws into readers’ minds and hearts? Does it accurately convey what the author is trying to say?

As a developmental editor, I answer these questions, diagnose possible issues, and offer suggestions. My goal is to help you make your story the best version of itself. (Unlike a copy editor, I do not make edits for grammar, punctuation, or sentence structure.)

As your developmental editor, I’ll be the supportive helper on your writing journey and the champion of your creative vision. I want your edit to build your confidence and spark your inspiration!

Fantasy Expertise

Fantasy authors have some craft considerations that other writers don’t. As a developmental editor specializing in fantasy, I pay extra attention to questions specific to the genre.

Including:

• Does the magic system make sense? Are the rules consistent?

• Can the reader grasp the intricacies of the world-building?

• How do the supernatural elements in the story interact with the character arcs and themes?

Services

Book Coaching Sessions

Ongoing coaching as you draft your story or one-off feedback on a short piece of writing-in-progress.

Developmental Evaluation

A 10-20 page report about your work’s strengths and key areas of possible improvement.

Developmental Edit

A 10-20 page developmental editing report, plus detailed feedback in manuscript comments.

Reviews from Authors

  • "For some reason, I seemed to expect beta readers to give this level of professional feedback and until I read your overview, I didn't realize that I was looking in the wrong place. Your feedback was detailed and gave clear examples. While reading through the report and annotations, I never once felt as though your tone was condescending or 'preachy' as I've heard in some horror stories of editors. From your summary and suggestions I could see that you really understood my vision for the story which is such a big deal to me as an author!"

    S. B. Hays

  • “As I read Emily's report, I knew she'd understood the heart of my story. Even as she identified key issues, she gave explanations, examples, and ideas of how to potentially solve them. Her report was encouraging and constructive, and after talking with her, I felt inspired to start editing. Usually I become paralysed by the task of editing. But I now have a list of what needs fixing first, and I'm excited to get started! ”

    Debbie Coll

  • “Emily’s developmental edit of my novel was very useful to me. Her suggestions were insightful and showed a strong understanding of what makes a novel work, and her feedback was frankly constructive and also encouraging. The manuscript is much the better for it, and I’d love to work with her again.”

    Thea T. Kelley