I started reading for fun at age four, writing for fun at age six, and editing for fun at age twelve. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and spent seven years writing and editing corporate communications and training documents before transitioning to fiction editing in 2021. It took me a long time to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, but I’m ecstatic to be doing it now. I currently live in Kansas City, MO, with my partner David and our tuxedo cat Gus.

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Why did I become an editor?

Stories are all around us all the time, in books, plays, movies, television, pro-wrestling, podcasts, advertising, etc; but also in our families and communities. They are fundamental to how we connect to one another and to the larger world around us. Often we don’t think about the effort that goes into a well-crafted story, but we certainly notice when a story isn’t quite working. 

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I love storytelling in all its forms, but my first stories came to me in books, and I am continually awed by the power of language to create entire worlds. As an editor, I not only gain early access to new stories, but I get to participate in their creation. What could be better for a life-long word nerd? 

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I truly believe we are better off as a species when people share the stories that live inside of them. Real or fictional, our stories bring us together, teach us lessons, and give us warnings. I want to give authors the confidence to put their stories out into the world. You never know who your story might impact.

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What’s my editing philosophy? 

When I was a kid, I took painting classes from a wonderful older lady named Sharon, who taught out of her garage. As we worked, she would prowl around our easels, making suggestions and critiquing our technique. Sometimes, she would grab my brush and make little adjustments on my canvas, and suddenly what had been an amorphous blob became a bush. Though I understood she was trying to help me by demonstrating a better technique, I disliked her physical manipulations on my canvas; suddenly my painting didn’t feel authentically mine anymore. 

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I never want my clients to experience that feeling when I edit them. Yes, I will make changes to the manuscript; but I will first invest the time to understand your unique vision and voice so my suggestions are always in line with your style. Then, I’ll apply my knowledge of what readers expect and what the “rules” say to create a kind, comprehensive critique. Ultimately, with every manuscript I have the same two overarching goals: to keep your readers reading, and to keep you writing. 

 

If you'd like to hear more of my thoughts on editing in general, check out my podcast.

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Why Midwrite?

My dad has been my biggest influence in my reading and writing journey. He was reading Tolkien and C.S. Lewis to me when I was still far too young to appreciate them, and my first editing gig was transposing one of his handwritten travel journals into a digital file. When I told my dad I was thinking of becoming an editor, he compared the job to that of a midwife; not the creator of life, but an indispensable participant in the miracle of birth nonetheless. 

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In Old English, the prefix mid meant with. So, Midwrite was born. I aspire to be with my authors in their tough moments (and being edited is always tough, no matter how kind the editor). When the doubt sets in, I will be your champion, cheerleader and fearless supporter, working alongside you to bring your creation into the world.

 

You can learn more about what I can do for your manuscript on my Services page.