Here are few ways we can work together:

Developmental Editing

I help writers draft, shape and polish personal essays and travel stories and can work with you during any of those stages.

As an experienced workshop leader for literary centers, I bring curiosity and craft to the editing process to help you develop your story in ways that stay true to your voice. I provide detailed line edits and an editorial letter with suggestions that may include such things as where added context is needed, opportunities for dialogue and scene, structural considerations, and how to balance the story’s ‘showing’ and ‘telling’ to ensure your story is artful and compelling.

In addition, for travel stories, I offer alternative angles to consider to help maximize the places you might pitch your piece.

Writers I’ve worked with have had their work published in The Washington Post, Motherwell, Kveller and The American Scholar as well as many regional newspapers and literary journals.

Coaching on the Writing Submission Process

I help writers hone their query letters and offer tips on best practices for submitting your work.

If you’re interested in essay submissions specifically, I teach “How to Pitch Your Personal Essays to Newspapers, Magazines and Literary Journals” a few times each year, both independently and for literary centers. See my “Classes” page for upcoming dates.

Residency & Fellowship Application Support

I also work with writers to create compelling applications for residencies, conferences and fellowships. Writing about yourself and your writing can be challenging. I offer an objective eye and encouragement to help you articulate what makes you and your project a good candidate for a particular residency or fellowship.

Over the years, I’ve attended residencies at Ragdale, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Noepe in Martha’s Vineyard and was an artist-in-residence at Westerly Library & Wilcox Park. I’ve also received fellowships for the Eckerd College Writers in Paradise Conference and from the Elizabeth George Foundation.