Developmental Editing for Memoirs

Shape your lived experience into a story that moves readers

Hi! I’m Michael, a freelance book editor with 20 years of experience in writing and editing. Memoir is one of the most personal—and powerful—forms of storytelling out there. But turning lived experience into a cohesive, emotionally resonant narrative can be tough.

That’s where developmental editing comes in. I’ll work closely with your draft to help you shape the structure, deepen the reflection, and bring clarity to your emotional arc—without losing your voice or flattening your truth. Whether you’re feeling stuck or just know your manuscript isn’t quite there yet, I’ll help you move forward with purpose and insight.

Developmental Editing

($0.035 per word)

(Minimum word count: 20,000 words)

If you’re looking for comprehensive, big-picture guidance on your memoir, this is the service for you. I’ll provide in-depth, personalized feedback on your manuscript’s structure, narrative momentum, emotional resonance, and overall flow—along with detailed notes and a full editorial letter to support your next draft.

Perfect for memoir writers who:

  • Have a complete or near-complete draft but feel something’s missing

  • Want their story to feel more cohesive, focused, or emotionally impactful

  • Need help weaving in reflection and meaning without overexplaining

  • Are unsure what to cut, expand, or restructure

  • Want a skilled, thoughtful editor who gets the unique challenges of memoir

Why Work With Me?

Memoir isn’t just about what happened—it’s about why it mattered. I help writers clarify their emotional throughline, shape their scenes and insights into a compelling arc, and revise with confidence.

Writers tell me I ask the right questions, offer thoughtful, respectful guidance, and never try to take over the story. My goal is always to amplify your voice—not rewrite it.

What You’ll Get

  • In-line comments throughout your manuscript, focused on clarity, pacing, structure, tone, and emotional impact

  • A 5–10 page editorial letter addressing:

    • What’s working, what’s unclear, and what needs development

    • Narrative arc and chapter structure

    • The balance between memory, reflection, and meaning

    • Where to trim, expand, or refocus

  • A 60-minute post-edit video call to review your feedback, talk through your questions, and map out your next revision steps

  • Optional follow-up support if you'd like continued feedback on your next draft

The Details

  • Advance Bookings: Reserve your 2025 spot now—my schedule fills up quickly

  • Genres Accepted: Memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal essay collections with a memoir thread

  • Payment: 50% deposit at booking, 50% due before final delivery. I accept PayPal, Venmo, and other major online payment methods

  • Cancellations & Rescheduling: Please notify me at least 30 days in advance for changes

  • Turnaround Time: Varies by manuscript length—I’ll provide a custom timeline when we book. You’ll always hear from me along the way

Got questions? Shoot me an email—I’d love to hear about your project!

Curious if we’re a good fit?

Book a free 30-minute call to chat about your memoir and how I can help.