Book editor and manuscript consultant
Every writer needs a good editor. Reach out if you’d like to partner with me to make your manuscript the best it can be. I work across genres and will happily work with you to understand the unique strengths of your story, essay, or book and what you can do to make the entire piece shine.
“I hit a wall with my ending and simply couldn’t stick the landing. After working with Isla for a developmental edit, the ending came together so clearly, I’m not sure how I missed it. She didn’t just point out what wasn’t working; she helped me find the emotional resonance the final scene lacked. I finally feel confident sending this manuscript out into the world.” – Natasha Oliver, Author of The Evolved Ones Trilogy
As a seasoned editor with an MFA in creative writing, I can help you polish your fiction or creative nonfiction manuscript in any (or all) of the following ways:
Story session
We can meet virtually to talk through your ideas either based on materials you send me in advance or simply the conversation. This high level discussion can help crystallize your understanding of your project and whether a book editor is right for you right now.
Developmental editing
If you’re already working on a book or story but it’s stuck, this might be the path for you. I can review all or part of your manuscript and help you:
- Identify themes you can develop
- Reconsider structure
- Spot overarching issues you might have missed
We can start with a virtual meeting or you can fill out a quick content brief, whichever you prefer. This is the most in-depth stage of book editing, but it’s also the most critical. You want someone who is going to read deeply into what you want to achieve and compare that with what’s on the page. It’s also my favorite part of the process and I’d love to dig into your work if you are ready for this.
Copy editing
This is for the book or story that’s really almost there but you need that last set of eyes. Let me spot the places where you’ve put two spaces after a period or left in an unfortunate typo that spell check cannot see.
Contact me if you’re interested in any of the above and we can discuss samples projects, timelines, hourly rates, and what you’re looking for from an editor right now. Please note that if you are working with Kirkus, I cannot consult on your project as it would present a conflict of interest.
