
MYSTERY WRITER, EDITOR, BOOK COACH

MYSTIFIED BY YOUR STORY? STUCK IN YOUR BOOK? I CAN HELP!
I love working with writers at all stages of the process, from planning to drafting to revising to polishing. I help writers by offering:
• Book coaching
• Manuscript evaluations
• Developmental edits
• Line edits
If you wish to skip ahead to see my full menu of coaching and editorial packages, you can do so here. Otherwise, read on to find out more about the work I do.
Availability update as of 9/15/23:
Limited spaces for new clients now available beginning December 2023 or after.
I LOVE A MYSTERY!
My coaching and editing specialty is mystery, though I’m open to other genres — more on that in a moment! If you identify as a mystery writer, here’s why I might be a good fit for you. I’ve published five novels for kids through adults, all mysteries. I’ve read widely in this genre. I’ve published articles about writing mysteries (in Writer’s Digest, The Writer, Publisher’s Weekly, The Huffington Post, and elsewhere). I used to run a group blog with thirteen kidlit mystery writers full of craft advice, writing prompts, and interviews. I am a frequent panel moderator at conferences, facilitating discussions among mystery writers, and have taught workshops on aspects of mystery writing craft.
I’m fascinated by the endless possibilities within mystery writing, and the overlap opportunities with other genres — historical, literary, speculative, and more. I also believe that most stories have an element of mystery, so a lot of my approach to thinking through mysteries translates to other genres.
I am great at helping writers become more aware of their own writing process, empowering them to make important decisions about their stories. Mysteries involve LOTS of decisions! And that’s where we can get stuck, at any point in the writing process. All writing involves some degree of decision-making and problem-solving. My mission is to save writers time, needless rewriting, hair-pulling and teeth-gnashing (ouch!). I love helping people to write the best book they can, mystery or otherwise, and level up their writing in general.
Believe me, I know what it’s like to get stuck in a plot hole despite best-laid plans, or to feel the finish line of a book receding into the distance. I know the value of having a trusty sidekick who can help you to investigate the situation and get you out in one piece. Whatever genre you’re writing in, I promise I won’t leave you in a plot hole.

Here’s a bit more about me!
Working closely with Jennie and her team over the years, I learned so much about how to deliver clear, compassionate, high-level editorial comments with a project management approach and emotional support for the writer at any stage of the process. At Author Accelerator, I worked with our team of thirty founding coaches, offering mentorship and professional development training. I matched writers with founding and newly certified coaches who came through our training program, and advised writers on coaching and editing paths to move their project forward. I reviewed practicums and certification portfolios for book coaching students, offering detailed feedback on their coaching.
As a certified coach myself, with an ongoing professional connection to Author Accelerator, I have access to the coaching materials developed by Jennie Nash (such as the Blueprint for a Book planning workbook, and the Inside Outline tool). I’m happy to incorporate those tools into any coaching program I offer, and I also work eclectically, incorporating tools of my own as needed.
For more information on the benefits of working with an Author Accelerator certified book coach, and what book coaches do, please click here.
Prior to working at Author Accelerator, I worked at an academic coaching company. As a coach and a supervisor there, I worked with teens and adults with ADHD and other executive function issues. I enjoyed helping clients organize their ideas and words, so I specialized in coaching academic writing. I discovered many systems and tools that can make the writing process less mysterious. Helping all writers with project management and accountability is integral to my coaching approach. I’m also happy to customize programs and feedback delivery to accommodate different learning styles.
I have over two decades of professional editorial and teaching experience. I worked in educational publishing, authoring and editing many types of textbooks and online educational materials, from writing texts to videos. My clients included McGraw-Hill, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, and the University of Michigan Press. For over three years, I served as the Fiction Editor at YARN (Young Adult Review Network), an award-winning online magazine featuring short-form writing for teens.
I have also taught writing and literature at Boston University, Brandeis University, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. I periodically teach workshops at Grub Street Writers in Boston, and have led writing workshops at NESCBWI regional conferences, bookstores, and libraries. I view teaching as part of my coaching approach. My clients can transfer skills to their next book and other projects – and ideally learn how to coach themselves! I am committed to helping writers articulate their opinions, organize ideas, work through the writing process, balance research with storytelling, and write clearly with an audience in mind. While writing can be therapeutic and personal, my focus is on imagining the eventual audience reception of the work, and helping the writer to create the desired effect.
I bring my publishing industry knowledge to the page. My professional affiliations include SCBWI, Grub Street Writers, and Sisters in Crime. I’ve published four books with agent representation and sold two on my own. I understand and can advise on the various paths to publication (traditional, hybrid/indie, and self). I do developmental editing for one of the leading hybrid publishers. I’ve worked as a bookseller. While I don’t believe in chasing trends, I strongly believe that all writers should be empowered and know how to sell their stories. It’s important to learn about how the publishing industry works, and stay abreast of industry news. I have many informative resources I’m happy to share with clients.
In short: my entire career has involved working with words, helping people to tell their stories.