Have the skeleton of story idea and need someone to bounce it off of? Or perhaps you have the first draft of your short story ready to go and are ready for constructive feedback. Work with a Black woman editor—me!

Let me be your story coach! Readers don’t just read; they experience a story with all of their senses and expectations. Allow me to partner with you to assess your reader's experience and identify where you're knocking it out of the park...or could make a few changes to make your story even stronger! 

This time is YOUR time. During our 60-minute One-on-One Story Coaching & Developmental Editing Session, we'll discuss your manuscript, ideas, and I'll provide feedback on viable next steps to take your fiction to the next level.

What you'll receive:

An in-depth discussion of elements including:

• Plot - analysis of the story itself, as well as any plot holes or errors

• Character - analysis of each main character in the story, including character development

• Pacing and Flow - looks at how your story world develops from start to finish, and how quickly each element is presented

• Descriptions and Setting - analysis of how well these elements are done in your manuscript. Can the reader visualize your scenes? Have you given so much information that your story drags? How can you improve the descriptions in your story?

• Style and Voice - comments on how you can improve your writing as a whole (what you have done well and what may need work or revision)

You'll send me your pages to review in advance, so we can spend as much time as possible focusing on your ideas and burning questions. I will review up to 7,000 words of your story and provide verbal feedback on major story elements. You’ll be surprised by how much you can learn.

This service works equally well for writers just starting out or those with multiple stories on their belts!

TURNAROUND TIME: 3-4 weeks from receipt of your manuscript; excluding  weekends and holidays

Please note: All feedback will be delivered verbally during the call; written feedback or editing of your pages is not included. 

Once you register, you will receive an email with instructions on how to email over your story for evaluation and schedule time for our call. Coaching calls will take place at least 3 weeks from the receipt of your manuscript pages, to allow sufficient time to review and provide meaningful feedback.

All calls will be held via Zoom (unless phone is preferred). The link to join our Zoom meeting will be provided in advance. For more information on how to download or use Zoom, please click here.

 Meet Your Developmental Editor:
Ianna A. Small

Ianna A. Small is the CEO of midnight & indigo Publishing and creator of midnight & indigo, a literary organization dedicated to short stories and narrative essays by Black women writers. m&i is her love letter to Black women like herself, who long to reach the pinnacle of their purpose. As the executive editor of midnight & indigo, she oversees all editorial and creative direction for the digital and print platforms. She has acquired, edited, and published collective works by 300+ emerging and established Black storytellers across the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, Asia, and Australia. In her capacity, she also oversees midnight & indigo's Writing Program for Black Women Writers. In addition to editing for 12+years, Ms. Small has 25+ years of experience developing partnerships and marketing initiatives for major entertainment brands including BET, Disney Channel, ESPN, ABC, FX, VH1, MTV, HOT97, and more.

An avid fan of Black and South Asian literature, Korean horror, and all things Jesus + Michelle Obama + The Golden Girls + cultural food documentaries, she dreams of one day running midnight & indigo from a lounge chair overlooking the archipelagos of her happy place, Santorini. Ms. Small is a proud graduate of Syracuse University and active member of ACES: The Society for Editing and the Editorial Freelancers Organization. among others.

 **Once manuscripts are received, refunds are not offered for this service. This service is available for works of fiction only; non-fiction and poetry are not included.