Developmental Editing for Memoir and Creative Nonfiction

You have a story that longs to find an audience.

You’ve spent time and care shaping your experiences into scenes and chapters. Maybe you’ve taken some writing classes or workshops and they’ve helped you get your story closer to its ideal form.

But you aren’t sure how to progress and you need a skilled hand to assess your manuscript and guide you to the next stage.

That’s where I come in.

Hi. I’m Lillian.

I work with writers of memoir and other types of creative nonfiction to help them make something useful and beautiful out of their personal stories and earned wisdom. 

I’ll evaluate your manuscript with both you and your ideal reader in mind, honoring your perspective and voice as well as the reader’s need for an engaging and fulfilling story. 

If your first draft is incomplete and you’re struggling with direction, I’ll work with you to identify the most compelling themes so you can get your best story down. 

If you’ve revised a number of times and aren’t sure which elements are working and which aren’t, I’ll home in on the finer points that will make each chapter build seamlessly on the one before so you’re ready to query agents or self-publish.

Learn more about me.

Your story deserves to be told, and you deserve the support it takes to get it out into the world and in the hands of the readers who need it.

Here’s how we can work together.

Kind Words from Happy Clients

  • Lillian hit the perfect balance between supportive and encouraging, while pushing me to make my work the best it could be. I was absolutely over the moon when I received Lillian's manuscript review and comments. They were uplifting and energizing, and they gave me new life as a writer; I couldn't wait to get to work. The finished product is so much better for having worked with Lillian, and as I enter the querying process, I feel confident and proud of my manuscript. Whatever happens next, I know—thanks to Lillian—that I've done my best work.

    — Jayne Marshall

  • The advice Lillian offered in the developmental edit of my memoir has been a game changer in helping me to see the path forward for finishing my book. Her comments were thoughtful, kind, and constructive, and even included a very helpful suggestion for next steps and the order in which the revisions could be made.

    — Cindy Powell

  • Lillian is a bright, thoughtful, and talented editor. She walks you through her thought process of how to navigate the next step in your writing journey in a sensitive and thoughtful way. She tries to empower you while still offering a new lens to look at your work.

    — Amy Glickman

  • Lillian is one of the best editors I know. She makes insightful comments, pays attention to detail, and asks questions that push me to rethink my work. I’d use her services again in a heartbeat!

    — Ann Ormsby

  • I appreciated Lillian’s quality editing. Her perceptive comments and suggestions have enhanced my prose, improving the smoothness and flow. My book is a much easier and better read than before, which I believe will make a big difference to readers. I gladly recommend Lillian’s editing services to other writers.

    — Ben Kyriagis

  • I was very fortunate to find Lillian. After some brief email exchanges, I had a feeling Lillian was a good fit—and I was right. Her fresh eyes from the reader’s perspective helped clarify and strengthen my story.

    — Christine Hawkinson