Author Services

Coaching & mentorship, manuscript critique, developmental editing, and query services for authors

Coaching & mentorship

Writing essays, short stories or a book and figuring out how to get published is no easy feat. It’s common to feel alone and completely overwhelmed by the process. No matter what stage you’re in—from a tiny spark of an idea to a messy third draft—I’m here to help.

  • Creating (and sticking to!) a writing routine
  • Brainstorming plot points
  • Fine-tuning your outline
  • Tackling revisions
  • Character development
  • Scene settings
  • How to pick comp titles
  • How to find an agent
  • Whether traditional publish vs self publish

Coaching rates & packages

I offer a free 30-minute video consultation and 1,000-page edit to ensure we’re a good fit. Packages require a one-month commitment, but can be canceled any time after that.

Basic package: $200/month

  • 1-hour video time for brainstorming & mentorship
  • Submit up to 20 pages for feedback
  • Invitation to join Jill’s private “Writing in Jammies” group
  • Once-a-week check-in/goal setting thread

Basic Plus package: $300/month

  • 2 hours video time for brainstorming & mentorship
  • Submit up to 50 pages for feedback
  • Invitation to join Jill’s private “Writing in Jammies” group
  • Once-a-week check-in/goal setting thread

Premium package: $400/month

  • 5 hours video time for brainstorming & mentorship
  • Submit up to 100 pages for feedback
  • Invitation to join Jill’s private “Writing in Jammies” group
  • Unlimited text & email support (including a weekly check-in/goal setting thread)

Manuscript critique

If you have a (mostly) completed manuscript but feel stuck on next steps, a manuscript critique could help! I will read your entire manuscript and write a six- to eight-page (single-spaced) evaluation outlining its strengths and weaknesses. I will focus on the following details:

  • Character development & arches
  • Plot
  • Setting
  • Dialogue
  • Showing vs. telling
  • Marketability
  • Target audience

My evaluation will also include a list of ideas on how to take your story to the next level. If you’re interested in working with me after the manuscript critique, you can take 10% off my developmental editing and/or coaching services.

Manuscript critique rates

I offer a free 30-minute video consultation and 1,000-page edit to ensure we’re a good fit. 

Base rate: $400 up to 50,000 words
+ $100 per each additional 5,000 words 

Developmental editing

With developmental editing, I will use track changes to leave comments throughout your manuscript on how to sharpen your writing, where to engage your reader more, and how to better structure your prose to be aligned with today’s industry standards.

Note that this is not copywriting, line editing, or proofreading (although I will naturally do a little of each along the way). This is a big-picture look at your story’s overall plot, character development, dialogue, and more. In addition to the track changes comments in the document, I will deliver eight to fifteen pages (single-spaced) feedback outlining my suggested next steps.

Developmental editing rates

I offer a free 30-minute video consultation and 1,000-page edit to ensure we’re a good fit. The following packages also include a free one-hour video call after the edit to discuss the feedback in more detail.

Base rate: $800 up to 50,000 words
+ $150 per each additional 5,000 words 

Query services

Figuring out how to navigate the publishing world and land an agent is like a full-time job. I’ve been through it all and love helping others achieve success. You must put your best work forward to stand out in the infamous “slush pile.”

The query letter

I can do a quick critique outlining my suggestions to tighten and polish your query letter. Otherwise, we can hop on a 30-minute video call to discuss your novel’s overall themes and target audiences. From there, I’ll craft a query letter and together we’ll do two rounds of revisions.

Prices:

  • Query letter critique: $55
    a one-time critique of what you’ve written
  • Full query letter service: $115
    I write the letter from scratch and do two rounds of revisions

The synopsis

Writing the novel is only the tip of the iceberg. Now you have to sum up your entire creative work in one or two pages. Don’t panic — it’s often easier for someone with fresh eyes to step in and help you out. 

We’ll start with a 30-minute video call to discuss your novel’s major plot points, themes, and target audience. From there, I’ll read the first 20 pages of your novel to get a feel for the story and your voice. I’ll then craft a one- or two-page synopsis and together we’ll do two rounds of revisions. 

Note that some agents and publishers require a one-page synopsis, while others require a two-page synopsis. 

Prices:

  • One-page synopsis: $125
  • Two-page synopsis: $150

The full query package

This is the full package to help improve your chances of landing an agent. 

For $300, you will receive the following:

  • One-hour video call to discuss your novel before getting started
  • Query letter + two rounds of revisions
  • One-page and two- page synopsis + two rounds of revisions
  • One-hour video call at the end to discuss marketing strategies, potential agents/publishers, and anything else to help you land a book deal

We’re a good fit if…

  • You’re open to receiving feedback and brainstorming together. I love collaborating and hearing YOUR voice and vision for your work. Together, our two brains can accomplish way more than we can do alone.
  • You need help with big-picture stuff. I’m here to help you through those early drafts and kicking your first draft into shape.
  • Your book fits my preferred genre list. I prefer working with contemporary fiction, suspense, mystery, memoir, and young adult. That’s not to say I can’t work with other genres, it just means I might not be the best fit for them.

We’re not a good fit if…

  • You don’t want feedback. I put a lot of time into making comments throughout your manuscript, writing notes, and helping you take your writing to the next level. If you don’t want to put in more work with your novel, I’m probably not the best fit.
  • You want copyediting services. I’m not a copyeditor. While I’ll naturally highlight grammatical errors and suggest how to reword a sentence for bigger impact, my focus is not on the final edits. I can, however, refer you to some amazing copyeditors when you’re ready for this final stage.
  • Your book is out of my comfort level. I personally don’t read Sci-Fi, fantasy, or horror so am likely not the best fit for projects within these genres.