editing for fantasy fiction​ stories
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"This world that you've created will always be there, in your head and at your fingertips. A world of starlight and magic,
of demons and gods, of ships that run on dust and spirits that dance through the sky and cities
that balance on the edge of war. A world where anything can happen."

I specialize in speculative fiction, which includes fantasy, science fiction, slipstream, steampunk, atompunk, (basically any of the punk genres), urban fantasy,  and paranormal fantasy. I'm interested in pretty much anything with magic, space, or weird elements. While I technically can edit other fiction, since speculative fiction is what I personally love to read and write, I can give more in depth advice and critique due to my familiarity with the ins and outs of the genre. ​​
​Let me help your world shine through the pages of the screen.

levels of editing for science fiction & fantasy

choose your class... ​

the mage class
-​opening evaluation-

Professional evaluation of your novel's opening chapters. This is for authors who need honest feedback on the effectiveness of your story's beginning, and a little direction to reach your final chapters. ​Let a mini developmental edit work some magic on your story.

the warrior class
​-developmental editing-

Developmental editing is a workshop of large edits of plot, structure, theme, development, and pacing. Using a professional editor's structural critique and feedback, you can streamline, revise, and carve your story into a powerful tale. ​​​

The bard class
​-story critique-

Feedback from a reader with an editor's eye on the effectiveness of your story's plot, setting, characters, readability, and emotional impact. Perfect for stories in their final stages before publication.
With beta reading, you can test your story in front of an audience.

this is your story.

I'm an author too, and so I know how precious your writing can be. I'm not going to rewrite your story to make it my own. I'm not going to change your vision, or the heart of the piece you are trying to tell. I am simply going to uncover and polish what you have written. In the end, the final product is completely under your creative control. All developmental editing does is give you a second pair of eyes to streamline your vision and bring to life the heart of your story. 
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honest, but kind.

During the developmental editing, story critique, or opening evaluation process I will be completely honest with my opinions and comments concerning your story. But I will also be kind. I know what it is like to have an editor go through your piece, and how hard it can be to see your shortcomings as a writer. I will spend just as much time pointing out what you are doing well, and how you have succeeded, as I will giving you feedback and critique. 
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my experience as an editor. 

I graduated from Maharishi University of Management with a BFA in Creative and Professional Writing. While in school, I worked in the campus Writing Center as a tutor and editor, where I helped students of all levels with their essays, projects, and fiction stories. ​I was also the fiction editor of our school's literary magazine, Metafore. This experience gave me an important step into the world of professional publishing, and made me realize that it was a world that I wanted to become a part of after I left school. Since I graduated I have worked as a freelance developmental editor and beta reader, ​helping clients across multiple projects and genres bring their stories to life. 

FAQ

What does a book editor do? 
As writers we create worlds with nothing but letters on the page and the thoughts in our head. But writing can be a lot harder than it seems, and every writer needs a little help. ​An editor, whether they do developmental editing, copy editing, or proofreading, is there to work with the author to make their story the best it can be.

​Of course you can, and should, edit on your own, and many authors do. But you can't catch everything, and if you want to be published (whether you choose the traditional or self-publishing route), your story deserves another set of eyes. Even a professional editor will seek outside guidance when working on their own writing.

I specialize in developmental editing, which means overall structural feedback (to learn more about what developmental editing covers, go to this page.) 

​Every story requires something different, and every author is at a different stage of the writing process. Because of this, I offer three classes of developmental editing for stories at all levels of...well...development. These classes are developmental editing, story critique, and opening evaluation. If you aren't sure which one is ​right for you, feel free to email me and ask any questions you'd like! ​
How do i know you're the right editor for my story?
It's important to find the right editor. Everyone has a different style, and everyone edits a bit differently (just like everyone writes a bit differently). Believe me, as a writer myself I know how precious your work can be, and how hard it is to entrust it to someone else. Take a look around my site, and see if you like my personality and voice. You're welcome to check out some of my published writing and read the testimonials on my past work below. Also you can email me and we can discuss your project, or just talk a bit and see if we're a good fit. 
Do you provide a free sample edit? 
Yes! I provide a free edit of 1,000 words. Note that with this sample, you won't get any feedback on the overall larger picture of your story, as that requires me to read the whole story. But this should be enough for you to see if you like my style, and it will also allow me to get a feel for your writing so I can provide an accurate project quote and timeframe. You are also welcome to ask me any questions you like to get a feel for whether I would be a good fit. ​Fill out my contact form to start a free sample.
Do you offer proofreading or copyediting services?
I don't currently offer proofreading or copyediting services. I specialize in developmental editing, which is larger scale editing of story structure, character arcs, and other big-picture elements. I haven't been formally trained in the finer points of grammar, word choice, syntax, and I don't read the Chicago Manual Style for fun, so, while I have a intuitive grasp of grammar rules and sentence structure, I don't feel that it is enough to offer proofreading or copyediting services.
Do you accept all stories? 
No, I don't. Just like you need to find the right editor for your story, I need to find a story that I feel comfortable working on.  I reserve the right to decline any project based on its content. For instance, I don't accept stories with an excessive amount of violence, horror, or adult themes. This is why a sample edit and complete explanation of your manuscript helps both of us decide if we are a good fit.

testimonials for fiction editing

Megann is one of the most diligent, dialed-in editors I had the privilege to work with during her time with Metafore Magazine, our university's literary journal. She has a great eye for technical editing and excels at developmental editing as well. Her instincts about story structure and character development are spot on. She always performed at the top of my expectations, and any writer will be lucky to work with her.

- Dylene Cymraes, Editor-in-Chief, Metafore Magazine 

I don’t know what I would do without the editing expertise of Megann. She has a unique way of refining my work and offers a wide array of insights that consistently elevate my writing and story to the next level. Megann has a brilliant command over the English language coupled with an uber creative brain that reflects itself through grammatical usage, verb tenses, context, point of view, themes, and razor sharp insights about tone and its power. I have used her editing services on more than two dozen projects. She is a writer’s Ace in the Hole!

- Candice Rankin, Writer

Megann is an excellent editor and has helped me with class essay, short stories, video scripts, and tons of other projects. Her skills are highly professional and makes my work flow a whole lot easier.

- Shannon Ryan, Writer