Three ways to find out what’s not working
Every manuscript is a different organism, but the method is consistent: diagnose the structure before you spend months revising the wrong things. Pick the depth that matches where you are.
You don't need someone to hold your hand through drafting. You need someone who can tell you, clearly and specifically, why your manuscript isn't working yet — and what to do about it.
20+ years of editorial experience; dozens of writers coached over the past 6 years
Who I Work With
I work with experienced novelists who:
Have a complete draft (or a complete outline, for Revision Roadmap) and know something isn't working
Want a specific, structural answer — not general encouragement
Are ready to hear exactly what needs to change, and why
Want to stop guessing at revisions and start solving the actual problem
If that's where you are, I'd love to help you see clearly what your manuscript needs. Still weighing whether coaching is the right kind of help at all? I wrote about why I believe in it.
Specializing in fiction, especially in mystery, thriller, suspense, horror, historical and women’s fiction across the spectrum (literary to commercial).
Empathetic, craft-savvy, no-fluff guidance
Diagnostic Services
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Mirror Read
A diagnostic read on your first 10 pages. Best if you want a fast, honest answer on whether your opening is doing its job. $225
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Manuscript Diagnostic
A full-manuscript diagnostic report. Best if you know something big isn't working and need to know exactly what — and why. $2500 up to 90K words
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Revision Roadmap
Four weeks, 1:1. Weekly diagnostic review of your outline plus working sessions, built for writers with a complete draft who want structural clarity before their next revision pass. $2000
Find the Support that fits your story
A closer look at each service — pick the one that matches where your manuscript actually is.
Mirror Read: A Diagnostic Read on Your Opening Pages
A structured editorial report on your novel's first ten pages, written by a reader who doesn't know what you meant to do — not a collaborator, not someone who already knows your story.
You receive:
A full read of your first ten pages, as a first-time reader would experience them
A structured report covering first impressions, where attention drifted, and what your opening is signaling
Specific moments that earned trust — or broke it
Ideal for: Novelists who want to know what their opening pages are signaling to a reader
$225 (or $325 with a 30-minute call to discuss findings)
Manuscript Diagnostic: A Full Diagnostic Report on Your Manuscript
A full read of your manuscript, built to name exactly what's not working structurally — not what's "nice" and what needs "improvement," but a real diagnosis of the plot and emotional promises your story is or isn't keeping.
You receive:
A full read with inline notes
A structured diagnostic report — what your novel promises, where the structure holds, where it doesn't, and 3–5 named problems your revision must solve
A follow-up call to walk through the findings
Ideal for: Novelists with a complete draft who know something significant isn't working and want to know exactly what and why before they revise.
$2500 up to 90K words (+0.05/word over 90K)
Revision Roadmap: Four Weeks of Diagnostic Revision Support
A contained, 1:1 sprint for novelists who already have a complete draft and want structural clarity on their revision plan before they start rewriting.
You receive:
Weekly diagnostic review of your revision outline, with inline notes
Four 50-minute working sessions to solve what the notes surface
A sharpened, workable outline you can revise from with confidence
Ideal for: Novelists ready to work fast, revise between sessions, and get real diagnostic pressure applied to their plan.
$2,000. Limited spots, three intake windows a year.
Additional support options
Story Solution Session (60 minute zoom)
A focused, one-hour problem-solving session for writers who need quick clarity on a plot issue, character arc, structural snag, or revision challenge. Walk away with answers—and a clear next step.
Project Management for Writers (self-guided online course)
A practical, self-paced course that teaches you how to plan your novel, structure your writing time, and manage your creative projects with clarity and confidence
Services Comparison Chart
| Feature / Benefit | Mirror Read | Manuscript Diagnostic | Revision Roadmap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Diagnose your opening pages | Full diagnostic + revision plan | Rebuild your revision plan, structurally |
| Best For | A fast, honest read on whether your opening is working | A complete draft where something big isn't working | A complete draft, ready for a structured 4-week revision sprint |
| Includes Feedback on Pages | Yes (first 10 pages) | Extensive (full read + markup) | Yes (weekly, on your outline) |
| Deliverables | PDF diagnostic report | Inline notes + diagnostic report | Weekly inline notes + working sessions |
| Level of Support | One-time report (+ optional call) | Intensive, project-based | High-touch, weekly for a month |
| Time Commitment | One-time, 5-day turnaround | One-time project | 4 weeks, weekly |
| Stage of Draft | Any stage | Completed draft needed | Completed draft needed |
Not sure where to start?
If none of these quite fit — but you still think we should work together — tell me where you're at and what you're working on. Let's figure out together whether there's a way I can help.