Developmental manuscript editing
You’ve finished a draft of your book and need an outside eye before sending it to an agent or editor. I will read your book to find story holes, inconsistencies, pacing and character issues, structural problems, and other places where you can improve the work. I will then provide you with a marked-up manuscript, detailed editorial letter, and chapter-by-chapter analysis. I read as a fan of literature, and with an eye toward what agents and editors will see.
Coaching
Need someone to keep you accountable and help you manage everything from plot problems to procrastination to character development as you work on your current project? I’m here for you. Not sure if you should outline your manuscript or just write it out? Unclear on how to query agents? No problem is too big or small – and I’ve probably dealt with them myself!
Testimonials
“Julia Dahl’s superpower is her ability to see an early draft and somehow connect that with the book you’ve been trying to write all along. Her notes are full of practical tips and deeper wisdom about storytelling. Truly, I can’t imagine trying to write another book without her as my first reader.”
Zac Bissonnette, New York Times Bestselling author of The Great Beanie Bubble (the basis for the 2023 film, The Beanie Bubble) and A Killing in Costumes
“Julia is a phenomenal editor. She has a great eye for tension and creating suspense. Her editorial comments were spot on and helped me take my book to the next level. I highly recommend her!”
Wanda M. Morris, author of All Her Little Secrets and Anywhere You Run
“Hire Julia right now, I’m telling you. The best editors are teachers and she is just that—an experienced and award-winning author who’ll give your manuscript a thorough critique, and at the same time teach you to look at your work with clear, unbiased eyes. One of her many skills is seeing the big picture of your book and helping guide you to revise with the overall pacing, structure, and tension in mind. She caught the plot holes and inconsistencies, of course, but what really blew me away was how she “got” what I was trying to accomplish with my book. She understood the somewhat tricky tone and feel I wanted to evoke and kept that in mind with all her suggestions. I just can’t recommend her enough. She’s kind and freaking brilliant and probably has her schedule literally booked solid, so I advise you to email now.”
Emily Carpenter, author of Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and The Weight of Lies
“It’s no easy feat, handing over the manuscript you’ve been scrunched over for years. I was looking for an editor with kindness, a sense of humor, the ability to hone in on the rough spots, and make good suggestions. And it’s exactly what I found in Julia Dahl. Her edits and continued support helped me dig into revisions with fresh enthusiasm.”
Lesa Knollenberg, author of Corpse Pose
“Julia performed a developmental edit of the first draft of my first novel. She was direct about cost, timing and what I could expect to receive from her. She produced an editor’s letter that was detailed, thorough and extremely thoughtful. It was clear from her notes that she focused fully on the story and character elements, while at the same time paying careful attention to the technical aspects. Her recommendations, sometimes by way of example and sometimes in the form of suggestion, were instructive and very helpful. She identified some structural weaknesses in my manuscript of which I had been completely unaware. Having addressed them with her advice, I believe the book is immeasurably improved. My experience working with Julia was 100% positive; I am certain that I have been spoiled forever.”
Jill Block, author of The Truth About Parallel Lines
“It’s hard to find a good manuscript development editor who knows the book publishing business, understands what makes a good story, and allows a writer their own style without intrusion. Julia Dahl is all of these things and more. She is quick, detailed and provides an elegant editorial letter that clearly catalogs a book’s strengths and weaknesses. Even better, Julia does it in a way that is supportive and energizing. I would highly recommend her to any writer who needs professional’s eye. I will be working with her agin I am certain.””
Ann Garvin, author of I Like You Just Fine When You’re Not Around
“Julia is an amazing resource of knowledge and an inspiration to her peers and students alike. I know I’m not alone in saying I’m better off for having been mentored by her. She’s as encouraging as she is brilliant.”
Maura Walters, writer/editor
“As a former newspaper reporter, I knew how to write a good crime story. But I wanted to expand my skill set and write about other things for other media outlets so I took a magazine writing class with Julia Dahl. I’m not kidding when I say that the experience with life changing. With the tools, techniques, and guidance she provided, I broke into writing for women’s websites including SheKnows.com and the now defunct iVillage.com, as well as magazines like Connecticut Magazine and Bella Magazine. But more importantly, I was able to develop a career that eventually led to my dream job as senior features editor at a larger newspaper. I can’t say enough good things about how supportive, thoughtful and knowledgeable Julia is!”
Sarah Walker Caron, The Bangor Daily News
Contact for pricing and availability
julia_at_juliadahl_dot_com