MEET THE EDITOR
Turning even the most brilliant ideas into a well-developed story can be challenging. It takes practice, patience, commitment, and collaboration. The journey can be long, and it’s important to have the right people by your side as you navigate it.
As your editor, I work with you to translate ideas from rough drafts into compelling, purposeful, finished pieces. All while keeping your vision, needs, and intentions in mind.
EDITING SERVICES
Special Interests: romance, romantasy, fantasy, with a sprinkle of women’s fiction, general fiction, and historical fiction.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING
Big-picture editing to help strengthen the overall narrative of your work. Emphasis on analyzing plot, character development, pacing, and structure to ensure they resonate with readers emotionally and intellectually. The stage at which plot holes, extraneous content, story setup, motivations, flaws, conflict, tension, climax, resolution, and logic are all closely evaluated.
Your Investment: $0.02 per word
LINE EDITING
Sentence-level editing to review the creative and impactful quality of content in a document or manuscript. Emphasis on sentence structure, word choice, flow, clarity, rhythm, voice, and style.
Your Investment: $0.03 per word
MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION
Reading of an early draft of your novel. Comments provided about plot holes, inconsistencies, unclear passages, pacing, or underdeveloped arcs. This service is for authors seeking a general impression of their work. Feedback is more detailed than a beta read, but much less detailed than a developmental edit. Feedback is intended to provide guidance on how to improve your manuscript and ways to make it more marketable.
This service can be performed on partial manuscripts for authors seeking advice on whether their story is headed in the right direction.
Want to get your questions answered in real-time? Don’t forget to ask about adding an AFTER EDIT ZOOM CALL to your session.
Your Investment: $500-$1,000, depending on the novel's length.
FIRST CHAPTER CRITIQUE
The opening of your novel is arguably one of the most difficult pieces of a story to write. It’s the first impression that readers, agents, and publishers get when they step into your writing. Which means it’s crucial that you nail it!
If you’re wondering whether your novel is starting in the right place, if you have an engaging hook, and if you’ve set the tone, established the genre, and introduced your protagonist in a compelling way, then this service is for you. The first chapter critique answers all these questions and more.
Your Investment: $100 flat fee for up to 3,000 words.
QUERY CRITIQUE
The path to traditional publishing isn’t for the faint of heart. If you want to capture an agent's or publisher's attention, a generic letter won’t cut it. This service is designed to help you write a query letter that is concise, engaging, unique, and personalized. You’ll receive feedback on formatting, word count, comp titles, your hook, pitch, and more.
Your Investment: $100 flat fee.
BOOK BLURB CRITIQUE
Receive detailed feedback on the book blurb for your novel for insight on how to hook your readers and leave them wanting more. Your blurb should emphasize the main character(s), plot, and story themes. This service will critique those elements and more.
Your Investment: $50
GHOSTWRITING
For authors who have written a messy first draft of their novel but need help bringing it to completion. A mix of developmental editing (to restructure a book) and ghostwriting to add or enhance scenes, chapters, or other story elements.
Your Investment: $3,000-$15,000, depending on the novel's length and scope of work. Average of $.10 per word.
BOOK COACHING
One-on-one mentorship to help authors succeed in completing their manuscripts. Get help with story outlines, setting goals, writing resources, education, and motivation to complete your manuscript. Authors will receive feedback tailored to their needs, accountability check-ins, and guidance through regularly scheduled video calls and written critiques.
See more HERE.
If you are unsure of your editing needs, don't worry. I provide personalized project quotes that include editorial recommendations specific to your work. Submit your content for review HERE.
““I hired Mandi A. to help edit my book manuscript. She did a phenomenal job! I could not have been more pleased with her remarkable work! I highly recommend her!””
“As a debut author stepping into the publishing world for the first time, I couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Mandi Ann. She didn’t just edit my novel—she elevated it. Her developmental feedback was insightful, thoughtful, and always delivered with care. She helped shape my characters into living, breathing people and pushed my story from good to great. Every suggestion she made was rooted in a deep understanding of craft and genre, and she always made me feel like a true collaborator in the process. I’m endlessly grateful for her expertise, her patience, and her passion for storytelling. This book wouldn’t be what it is without her.”
““Mandi exceeded my expectations. Her comments, ideas and feedback were on point. She also found a way to provide suggestions but in a very constructive and not intimidating manner. She delivered before the due date, was always available when we needed to communicate, and the quality of her work is top notch.
I would definitely love to work with Mandi again.””
““Mandi is a pleasure to work with. She is responsive and forthcoming and has delivered before deadlines. She is knowledgeable in her craft and willing to give more than expected.””
PORTFOLIO
EDITORIAL PROJECTS
Ongoing Beta Reader and Manuscript Evaluator
Benesh (Historical Fiction): Manuscript Evaluator and Line Editor
Where You Are (Paranormal Romance): Developmental Editor
Every 5th of July (Romance): Developmental Editor
The Bend in the Live Oak (Lit Fiction): Developmental Editor
Rise of the Wounded Dove (Romantasy): Developmental Editor
Ruthless Titan (MM Romance): Line Editor
Palomina (Fiction): Developmental Editor
Sicilian Saltwound (Lit Fiction): Developmental Editor
Through the Shadows of Grief (Lit Fiction): Developmental Editor
The Loneliest Heart (Romantasy): Developmental Editor
Love of the Bladed Dove (Romantasy): Developmental Editor
Righteous Light (Romantasy): Line Editor
Benesh (Historical Fiction): Developmental and Line Editor
The Billionaire’s Fake Relationship (Romance): Developmental and Line Editor
Beyond Aquarius (Romance): Developmental Editor, Line Editor, and Ghostwriter
Forbidden Titan (Romance): Line Editor
A Merry Brutal Christmas Book (MM Romance): Line Editor
The Guardian’s Secret (Romance/Thriller): Developmental and Line Editor
The Yellow Birds (Contemporary Fiction): Developmental and Line Editor
Curse of the Crystal Wolves (Romance/Fantasy): Developmental and Line Editor
Elara and Kieran (Romance): Developmental and Line Editor
Sundown at Sundance (Thriller/Romance): Developmental and Line Editor
PUBLICATIONS
Beauty and Lifestyle Magazine Blog // Borrowed and Blue Blog // Two Bright Lights Blog // Wedding Wire Blog // Lace in Light // Elegant Magazine // Surreal Beauty Magazine // Pump Magazine // IMIRAGE Magazine // Brand Model Magazine // DIY Weddings Magazine
Blogger for: Ilona Jade Photography // Dream Dresses by PMN
SPEAKING AND KEYNOTES
You Got This Event // Front Seat Life Event // My Own Boss Podcast // 425 Radio Show // Front Seat Life Podcast // Photography Fireside Podcast
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Writing Certificate from the University of Washington
Editing Certificate from the University of Washington
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin
Ongoing Advanced Education in Writing and Editing Courses
Editorial Freelancers Association Member
Author of Creating Your Purpose-Driven Business: A 30-Day Plan for Developing a Personal Brand and Business Strategy.
SKILLS
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Mailchimp, Squarespace, Wix, and other business management software such as Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Proficient in the Chicago Manual of Style, APA Style, and Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.