Developmental Editing & Coaching for Children’s Nonfiction Writers
Writing informational books for kids, whether picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, or young adult, is both a joy and a challenge. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to know if your manuscript is working the way you hoped.
That’s where I come in.
My superpower is helping you see the big picture of your story clearly: helping you hone your hook, fine-tune your takeaway, and understand what you are really trying to say with your story. Then together, we'll work to reimagine your story, making it as strong as possible with a focus on story structure and the emotional arc.
I offer two complementary services:
- Developmental Editing – big-picture editing focused on the reader’s experience
- Coaching Sessions – one-on-one calls to guide your writing journey
Developmental Editing
Big-picture feedback to help you revise with confidence.
Developmental editing looks at the foundation of your story—not the line-level polish. I’ll help you see your manuscript through the eyes of an agent, editor, or young reader. We’ll focus on structure, voice, clarity, and emotional impact so you can take your draft to the next level.
You’ll receive:
- A 60-minute feedback and brainstorming session over Zoom where we discuss your manuscript in depth
- A recording + transcript of our call for future reference
- Primarily oral feedback, so you can ask questions and clarify in real time
- Targeted written notes with key takeaways and next steps. (Note that this is not a detailed line edit or proofread, though I will mark any clunky language, grammatical errors, and misspellings I notice.)
👉 This service is available for all forms of children’s nonfiction and informational fiction: picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, and YA.
- For picture books up to 1800 words total (excluding back matter) - $150 for a single review (includes Zoom session); add $50 for an additional round of written comments after revision (no Zoom on second round)
- Please fill out the form below for graphic nonfiction, middle grade, and YA pricing, which is dependent on your book's word count. I use the Editorial Freelancers Association's rates developmental editing rates for pricing.
Coaching calls
Guidance for any stage of your writing journey.
Maybe you don’t have a full draft yet, or you’re wrestling with an idea, outline, research, or proposal. Coaching sessions give you the chance to talk through challenges, set goals, and receive expert guidance tailored to your needs.
You’ll receive:
- A 60-minute live call focused on your questions and goals
- A recording + transcript so you can revisit our conversation
- Actionable next steps to keep you moving forward
👉 Perfect if you need brainstorming help, accountability, or fresh perspective without a full developmental edit.
Query letter critiques
Looking to catch an agent or editor's attention with your query letter? Let me help you present you and your project in the best possible light.
Price: $50 (for a single review)
Before Your Session...
Please fill out the form below to begin the scheduling process.
Customer Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between developmental editing and coaching?
- Developmental editing focuses on a specific manuscript. I provide big-picture feedback on structure, voice, pacing, and reader experience, followed by a coaching call where we discuss my notes.
- Coaching sessions are broader. They don’t require a full manuscript. Instead, we can focus on brainstorming, problem-solving, career strategy, or working through challenges at any stage of your process.
Do you provide line edits or copyedits?
No. My focus is big-picture feedback that helps you shape your story, not line-level polishing. My focus is on making sure your story is clear, compelling, and structured for your intended audience. I will mark the occasional weak word choice or spelling error, but this is not my focus.
Who do you work with?
I work with children’s writers at every level, from debut authors to seasoned professionals. If you’re writing nonfiction or informational fiction—whether picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, or YA—I can help.
What formats do you work with?
I edit manuscripts, book proposals, and graphic novel scripts. If you’re not sure whether your project fits, just reach out.
How do I submit my manuscript?
Once you book a developmental edit, I’ll follow up with instructions for sending your manuscript electronically.
What happens after I book a session?
For developmental edits:
- You’ll send me your manuscript by the agreed deadline.
- I’ll review it in detail.
- We’ll schedule a 60-minute coaching call to go over my feedback.
- You’ll receive a recording, transcript, and written notes afterward.
For coaching sessions:
- You’ll share your questions or goals in advance.
- We’ll meet for a 60-minute call.
- You’ll receive a recording, transcript, and key action steps.
Can you help me prepare a submission for an agent or editor?
Yes. Developmental editing is an excellent step before submission. I’ll help you see your manuscript as an industry professional would—so you can revise with confidence before querying.
Do you guarantee that my book will get published?
No editor can guarantee publication. What I can guarantee is thoughtful, experienced feedback that helps you create your strongest possible manuscript.
Is it possible to buy coaching more than once?
For sure! You simply need to purchase coaching again and will be able to get access to another set of coaching sessions.