DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING FOR FANTASY & ROMANCE
Every quest needs a guide.
I work with authors of romantasy, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and mythic fiction who've taken their manuscript as far as they can alone, and want an editor who knows the genre as well as their readers do.
Who I work with
You'll get the most from working with me if:
- Your manuscript is complete, and you've revised it at least once on your own
- You're writing romantasy, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, or mythic fiction
- You're self-publishing or querying agents, and you want the book to compete
- You can tell something isn't working (a sagging middle, a romance that won't catch) but can't see why
- You've budgeted for professional editing, or you're saving toward it
Still drafting? Finish the first leg on your own. I'll be here when you're ready for the next one.
Services
Choose your path
Manuscript Evaluation
A full read of your manuscript and a 2–4 page editorial report on structure, pacing, character arcs, and genre expectations. Choose this when you want a clear revision plan before committing to a full edit.
From 1.5¢ per word · about $1,500–$2,000 for a 100,000-word novel · 2–3 weeks
Developmental Edit
A detailed editorial letter, margin comments throughout your manuscript, and a 60-minute strategy call after delivery. Choose this when you're ready to fix what isn't working, scene by scene.
From 3.5¢ per word · about $3,500–$4,500 for a 100,000-word novel · 4–6 weeks
How it works
The way becomes clear
- Tell me about your book. A short form covering genre, word count, and where you are in revisions. I reply within one business day.
- Start with a $75 sample edit. I edit about 2,000 words from the middle of your book, where stories usually tangle, so you can see exactly how I work. The fee is credited to your project if we move forward.
- Get a flat-fee proposal. I recommend the right service and send a flat project fee, a firm delivery date, and a contract. A 50% deposit books your spot.
About
Meet Heather
I'm a developmental editor for fantasy and romance, and I read deeply in everything I edit. I love strong heroines, queer leads, and stories soaked in myth, folklore, and fairytales with their teeth put back in.
I trained through the University of Washington and the Editorial Freelancers Association, and I'm a member of the EFA and the Northwest Editors Guild. I've also spent 16 years supporting senior executives at Amazon and Nordstrom. That translates to my clients getting actionable feedback, flat fees, firm deadlines, and no surprises.
Home for me is the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, where I spend my free time reading, gardening in chaos mode, wrangling my dogs Jax and Rocco, and getting sassed by a steadily growing flock of hens (and one tiny rooster who croaks like a frog).
Testimonials
"Heather provided a manuscript assessment for a creative non-fiction piece I was confused about. She gave a good mix of positive and constructive feedback. Her suggestions were very helpful and allowed me to move forward with the piece."
— Maya Sutherland
Ready to set out?
