FAQs
Why should I hire you instead of editing my story with an AI agent?
At the end of the day, who are you writing your story for? Is it meant for AI agents, to be swallowed, chewed up, and regurgitated until it loses all originality? Or do you want it to be read and loved by humans? If you want human readers, then you need human input at all stages of the story creation process.
AI can do a lot of cool things, and if you think running your story through an AI agent will help you polish some of the rough edges, you should absolutely do that. That doesn't mean your story won't also benefit from a human touch.
What experience do you have with writing and editing?
I've been writing speculative fiction for over a decade, and loved reading it since I was a child. My fantasy debut, HEARTSTONE, came out in 2017, published by Harper Voyager. (See more about my books here.)
Outside my own writing, I've collaborated with other authors on every stage of the writing process, from ideating to line editing to proofreading.
What does your turnaround time look like?
Turnaround times vary depending on the length of your work. A substantive edit of a short story may only take a few days, whereas a line edit of a 100,000-word epic space opera may take 6-8+ weeks. In our initial intake interview, I'll provide you a rough timeline based on the details of your project. If at any point that timeline changes, I'll let you know ASAP.
What can I expect from you as an editor?
You can expect honesty, transparency, and a commitment to making your story the best it can be. Sometimes, that involves killing your darlings, and if that's required, I'll say so.
My goal as your editor is not only to note the weak points of your story but also to celebrate its strengths. If I love something, I'll tell you. If something's not working for me, I'll tell you. More importantly, I'll tell you why it's not working and offer suggestions about how to improve.
But never fear! As the author, you'll always retain full creative control. That may mean that, in the final edit, you decide on a direction I don't 100% agree with. That's okay. This is your story; my only role is to help it shine.
What kind of stories do you edit?
Speculative fiction is my bailiwick, particularly sci-fi and fantasy, but I love mysteries, and I even enjoy the occasional horror story. I'm also happy to take a look at your contemporary romance or historical epic.
Are there any genres you don't work on?
Literary fiction and non-fiction, including memoirs and biographies, are going to have to be a pass from me.
Can I find you on sites like Reedsy or Upwork?
Not at the moment, but that may change sooner rather than later. Check back here for updates.
How do I know what price bracket my story falls into?
If you've taken a peek at my project pricing chart, you might be wondering where your story falls. Novelette? Novella? Full novel? The boundaries are squishy, but here's a general industry standard breakdown based on word length.
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FLASH FICTION (Under 1,500 words)
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SHORT STORY (1,501-7,500 words)
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NOVELETTE (7,501-17,500 words)
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NOVELLA (17,501-40,000 words)
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SHORT NOVEL (40,001-70,000 words)
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NOVEL (70,001-100,000+ words)
Does professional editing guarantee that my story will get published?
I wish with all my heart that I could say yes. Unfortunately, in the world of publishing, there are no guarantees. Will a professional edit take your story to the next level? Absolutely. Will it snag you a multi-book deal with a traditional publishing house or net you a fanatic following on indie BookTok? I hope so, but I can't promise that. What I can promise is that going through the editorial process will help make you a better writer.
I'm pursuing a traditional publishing route and I'm ready to submit my manuscript to literary agents. Will you review my query letter?
Ah yes, the query letter, AKA, the most difficult 400 words an author ever has to pen. If you're ready to start querying agents, I'll be happy to take a look at your letter.
Yikes! I just looked at your pricing. That's a lot to shell out for a 100k-word manuscript. Do you offer discounts?
Absolutely! I'm passionate about helping new writers find their voice, and just as others invested in me at the start of my writing journey, I want to invest in you. Send me a message and let's chat about how we can partner to bring your story to life.
As a writer, what are your feelings on AI in writing?
My feelings on this subject are big, and big feelings are best processed in small words. The poet Joseph Fasano captured this better than I ever could:
For a Student Who Used AI to Write a Paper
Now I let it fall back
in the grasses.
I hear you. I know
this life is hard now.
I know your days are precious
on this earth.
But what are you trying
to be free of?
The living? The miraculous
task of it?
Love is for the ones who love the work.
- Joseph Fasano
As he says, love is for the ones who love the work, and I love this work. AI asks to remove the miraculous task of it. I say no. While it can be a valuable tool, it is only a tool, and it cannot create things the way humans can. I use AI tools occasionally for technical spellchecking and other objective edits, but never in the actual writing process. Any feedback you receive from me will be 100% human.