In addition to my work as a writer, I am also a passionate and dedicated editor for both small press authors and private clients. I began my editorial career as an intern at The Overlook Press, then as an intern and Editorial Assistant at Simon & Schuster. In 2009, I joined the team at Black Lawrence Press, where I am currently a Senior Editor, and in 2016, I opened my private editorial practice, Copper Lantern Studio.
Here’s a bit about what I do and where you can find me:
Through Copper Lantern, I work with writers on everything from query letters to full manuscript edits. My work with new clients typically begins with an Editorial Blueprint, which keeps your goals at the forefront to provide an editorial plan of action for your book.
At Black Lawrence Press, I edit the nationally distributed chapbook series in poetry and prose. Please visit our site to learn more about the twice-annual Black River Chapbook Competition and to find submission guidelines for the June and November Open Reading Periods.
I talk a bit about my work as a chapbook editor and publisher at Black Lawrence in this April 2015 interview with the Poetry Society of America and in this June 2016 Q&A with Failbetter. (See All the Stars also gets a mention!)
Through The Bridge (@PoetsBridge on Twitter), I critique poems, chapbooks, and full-length books of poetry. I specialize in combining line-level editorial suggestions with overall revision strategies, often centered around questions that the poet can consider to work toward a successful revision.
I am a trained book coach through Author Accelerator, where from 2016-2019 I worked with writers in a variety of programs such as Manuscript Accelerator, Weekly Book Coaching, Blueprint for a Book, the Story Genius Method Workshop, and the Pitch Track Workshop. I now carry this experience forward into my work with private clients at Copper Lantern Studio.
In 2016, 2017, and 2018, I served as a Pitch Wars mentor in the young adult category, where I worked with my mentees to get their manuscripts in tip-top shape for the agent showcase and querying. I’m taking 2019 off from mentoring to focus on writing and editorial work, but we’ll see what the future holds!
I talk about Pitch Wars, my mentoring style, my editorial career path, and See All the Stars in this July 2017 interview with editor and literary agent Katelyn Uplinger. You can also find a first page critique and a setting critique with me over on the Pitch Wars blog. We don’t call ourselves revision warriors for nothing!