| "Thanks
for everything, Mary! You are an A-1 writing coach." A.S.,
Minneapolis
"Great edits! Mary, thank
you so much! I suspected tightening was needed, your
nudge gets me over the inertia." G.S., San Diego
"I used your suggestions
(thank you!) to revise my query letter and then sent
the letter to an agent. She wrote back asking for the
manuscript, a bio, a marketing statement, and a brief
synopsis to go with it!" J.L., Minneapolis
"I am getting great response
from the book. I am sending you a copy and you are in
the acknowledgments. It could have never happened without
you." S.P., California
"Gosh, Mary, I'm amazed
at how fast you work! I feel encouraged with your response--you
make everything seem positive, even as you recommend
change!" L.D., Arizona
"Thank you for weeding
my story! It's exactly what I needed. I really appreciate
the feedback and plan to go with what you suggested
because it makes so much sense. Thank you for inspiring
me and boosting my confidence!" N.R., Minneapolis
"You did a great job on
my book and I will definitely let you know when I need
more help, as well as refer others when the opportunity
arises." D.G., California
"I’m very grateful
for the thought you’ve put in your analysis of
my stories and for insights that make me think about
my own stories in a different way." K.L., Minneapolis
"Your comments were right
on target and have helped immensely." E.W., St.
Paul
"Thank you so much for
your excellent, helpful comments. Can't wait to revise
accordingly." A.G., New York City
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Photo
by Bruce Fuller |
Do you have a dream book you
want to write? A writing project you're longing to finish?
A book proposal or a sample chapter that's due?
A natural part of the writing process is partnership with
an experienced editor and coach. As a writing teacher at the
Loft Literary Center, I've worked with hundreds of writers
on both nonfiction and fiction projects.
My goal as a coach is to allow the unique voice in your writing
to emerge, and help you become more conscious of both the
strengths and weaknesses in your writing.
Having worked as a professional editor for fifteen years,
I know how to evaluate a work-in-progress and give suggestions
for fine-tuning. I enjoy watching the process of a piece of
writing unfold, and I value the help a kind and thoughtful
editor can bring to a work. I've helped writers develop and
finish their book proposals, essays, short stories, and complete
manuscripts. I work with writers at whatever level they need:
in-depth editing or overview suggestions. My fee is hourly.
I work with short stories, essays and memoirs, articles and
columns, and
book-length fiction and nonfiction.
As
a writing coach, I offer these services via email to my clients:
- short
(low-cost) weekly checkin to keep you accountable with your
writing goals
- positive
feedback, innovative next steps, and fun writing exercises
to keep you writing
- creativity
development--find and develop your voice as a writer and
creative person via custom-designed writing and art exercises,
journaling techniques, and kind feedback
- regular
review and feedback of your novel chapters or short stories
- book
coaching--how to start writing your book, develop it, and
finish it
- manuscript
review: evaluation and in-depth report on the strengths
and weaknesses of your book manuscript (fiction, memoir,
nonfiction)
- character
development--for fiction writers who need help making their
characters come alive on the page
- develop
and polish your query letter and book proposal packet for
submission to agents
- substantive
and line editing of short stories, novels, memoirs and other
nonfiction books, and poetry
If you're
interested in working with me,
please e-mail
me. |
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