So you have a story, but don’t know what (if anything) about it isn’t working. Agents don’t request and betas either ghost you or give you confusing feedback. All you want is some undivided attention.

I am here to help.

As a developmental editor, I specialize in Science Fiction and Fantasy novels and graphic novels. We’ll work on your world-building: your environments, your industries, your governments, your cultures, your technologies and hard sciences, or magics if that’s your flavor. I have a degree in linguistics, so bring on your constructed languages.

However, novels are stories, not encyclopedias. I want your main character’s arc to hit, and I will be looking at your tension and resonance to make that happen. You can count on me to fill in your plot holes and tighten up your throughline. And I won’t let you get away with a soggy middle, a lackluster reveal, or a let-down ending.

Whether you’re trying to break into traditional publishing or looking to self-publish, I’m here to help you turn your story into the most robust version of itself that will resonate with your audience.

Ten-Page Trial

I have been developing my philosophies about storytelling for more than two decades. So have other editors, many of whom will have come to different conclusions than I have. For an author, it’s critical to feel that your vision is understood and supported by your editor. You should come away from an edit letter feeling empowered to improve your story, not misunderstood and more lost than when you started. For this reason, I recommend starting with a $30 ten-page (2,500 words) trial edit. You will receive in-line notes and suggestions as well as a short edit letter explaining what I believe is and is not working in your opening pages. If this gives you the confidence to invest in a full evaluation or developmental edit afterwards, the cost of the trial will be deducted from that service fee.

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Book Coaching

So you have a novel idea but can’t figure out how to make it happen. You’ve got writer’s block, or you can’t find the energy to keep going, or you’re just overwhelmed by the process. I am here to help. For $60 per hour, we can brainstorm your novel’s elements, unpack debilitating criticism, discuss writing hygiene–whatever gets you back in the writing saddle. Base price includes feedback on 2,500 words, and I’ll read more for $0.01 per word.

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Manuscript Evaluation

So you have a finished book, and you’ve edited it to the best of your ability. You’ve read the books and articles, watched the talking heads, but you have your doubts. Maybe the feedback has been mixed or the engagement has been low or you’ve had no luck in the query trenches or are worried that will happen if you try. For $0.01 per word, I will read the manuscript cover to cover, so to speak, and you will receive an edit letter explaining what I believe is and isn’t working with the manuscript, as well as actionable feedback and suggestions for revision. I don’t follow a feedback formula or give a grade on story beats or anything; the letter will be tailored to the work itself. This service includes a follow-up coaching call, so you can ask questions and run any brain-storming ideas by me (I am liable to brainstorm as well). If you prefer, this can be a series of email exchanges instead of a call.

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Developmental Edit

So you have a book, perhaps finished, perhaps not, and you just really want full hands-on support for it. Much more than an edit letter alone will give. With this service at $0.03 per word, in addition to a personalized comprehensive edit letter, I will leave in-line comments in the manuscript document itself. These will address any issues I see, be them relating to character voice and believability, pacing, structure, payoffs, other story elements, as well as sentence-level clarity. This is NOT a copyedit, that is between you and your manual of style, but I will flag grammatical issues too, and may rewrite sections to demonstrate better clarity, readability, or pacing. (Also, if I leave comments yelling at your characters, this is a good sign.) I do accept incomplete manuscripts for this service, but they must be at least 50,000 words long and have explanations or outlines of the missing sections. If you’re stuck with an even less complete manuscript, consider my Book Coaching service instead. This service includes a follow-up coaching call, so you can ask questions and run any brain-storming ideas by me (I am liable to brainstorm as well). If you prefer, this can be a series of email exchanges instead of a call.

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Graphic Novel Script Edit

Graphic novels, comics, manga, manhwa, manhua, whatever you’re calling your sequential imagery accompanied by text, I got you, and I can do a developmental edit of it (provided it’s in English). For $0.03 per word, I’ll cover your dialogue, character development, pacing, plot seeding, and artist instructions as well as a reality check on what you’re trying to fit on one page. You will receive in-line notes on your script as well as an edit letter tailored to address the strengths and weaknesses of the story.

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Redlining

If you are both the writer and illustrator on a project, or are a team submitting together, this can be an add-on to your graphic novel edit. For $2 per page, I will go over your drawn pages–preferably your roughs or thumbnails, but hey, illustrators have to revise too–in classic red. Mostly I will be looking to improve your clarity and readability (no, you may not squeeze that speech bubble into the margin like an afterthought), but as always, this will be tailored to the individual project. If I see a recurring issue, I will provide thoughts on how to correct it.

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Sensitivity Reading

So you’re writing outside of your wheelhouse and want to be sure you’re not inadvertently causing any harm. Good call! For $0.002 per word, I will review your manuscript and flag any problematic content for the following:
Bisexual+, Chronic illness, Religious abuse, Child psychological abuse

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Testimonials

Kestrel has worked with me on two manuscripts so far, and I’m very grateful for his insightful input! He’s quick to spot logical inconsistencies, worldbuilding weaknesses, or unconvincing characterisation. He’s always open to talking through solutions while taking into account my intent as the author. I can always rely on him for honest and constructive feedback on how to tell my stories the best way I can.

- Leon T.

Kestrel has helped me work on six books and several short stories over the last several years. She always has very insightful suggestions on where to add additional world-building and character beats. Kestrel is exceedingly good at finding moments that could use a little more emotional oomph--at finding where to twist the knife to give characters and readers the catharsis needed to make a good book great. While Kestrel doesn't hesitate to say what isn't working, she also doesn't stint on pointing out what is working, and she's always very eager to hear what an author's intention is so that brainstorming ways to improve makes sure the final product is aligned with the author vision. You can't go wrong getting Kestrel's eyes on your work.

- Jamie P.