Narrative Ecology™ is my proprietary approach to manuscript development that applies ecological systems thinking to storytelling. Instead of treating story problems as isolated craft issues, I examine how your plot, characters, worldbuilding, themes, and more interact as a dynamic system—identifying what's thriving, what's struggling, and what needs adjustment to help your story flourish. This methodology draws from my 25+ years as a professional horticulturist, where I learned to diagnose problems by observing how elements compete for or support each other within a larger ecosystem.

Each editing level serves a different purpose:

Developmental editing addresses the big-picture elements of your manuscript—plot structure, character arcs, pacing, worldbuilding consistency, thematic coherence, and overall narrative flow. This is where we ensure your story's foundation is solid before refining the prose.

Line editing focuses on the sentence and paragraph level—improving flow, rhythm, word choice, and clarity while preserving your voice.

Copyediting handles grammar, punctuation, spelling, consistency in style and formatting, and factual accuracy. This is the final polish before proofreading.

Most manuscripts benefit from developmental editing first, followed by line editing, then copyediting. However, the right sequence depends on your manuscript's specific needs.

A Story Ecosystem Assessment™ is my diagnostic evaluation service for manuscripts that feel "stuck" despite multiple revisions. Rather than providing a chapter-by-chapter critique, I examine your manuscript as a living system to identify where energy is flowing well and where it's being blocked or misdirected. You receive a detailed report identifying systemic issues and a clear path forward for revision.

My primary specialties are fantasy, romance, and romantasy—particularly projects involving complex worldbuilding, large casts, series development, and botanical or ecological themes. I also work with historical fiction, cozy fiction, and several nonfiction categories. For a full list of genres I work with, visit my Genres Reviewed page.

Absolutely. The majority of my clients are independent authors at various stages of their publishing journey—from debut writers working on their first manuscript to experienced authors managing multi-book series.

Timelines vary based on manuscript length, complexity, and my current workload. Generally, a full developmental edit takes four to six weeks. A Story Ecosystem Assessment is typically faster. I recommend reaching out well in advance of any deadlines you're working toward, and I'm always happy to discuss your timeline during an initial consultation.

Yes. I understand that professional editing is a significant investment, and I want it to be accessible. I'm always happy to discuss payment plan options—just bring it up whenever it feels right, whether that's during our initial conversation or further along in the process.

Yes. For developmental and line editing projects I offer a sample evaluation of your opening pages so you can experience my approach before committing to a full project. Copyediting is more straightforward in scope, but I'm happy to discuss a sample if you feel it would be helpful. Ask about this during our initial consultation.

Because ecosystems and stories operate on surprisingly similar principles. My scientific training taught me to observe systems holistically—to see not just individual elements but how they interact, compete, and support each other. This lens reveals manuscript problems that a purely literary approach sometimes misses. And if your story involves botanical magic systems, agricultural worldbuilding, or plant-based themes, you get an editor who actually knows the subject matter.