Developmental Editing and Editorial Support for Writers

SCRIBEMIND LEARNING & LITERARY SERVICES

Hi! I'm Ashley Warren, a writer, editor, and educator based in Northern Nevada. I work with authors and storytellers on fiction, short stories, tabletop roleplaying games, and other creative writing projects.

Writing something meaningful takes time, vulnerability, and a tremendous amount of work. My job as an editor isn't to take over your story or turn it into something I'd write. It's to become a thoughtful second set of eyes: someone who can see what you're trying to accomplish, identify what's working, spot opportunities for improvement, and help you bring the strongest version of your work to the page.

I bring both professional editorial experience and a lifelong love of storytelling to every project—and I'll always treat your work with the care it deserves. ❤️

Why trust me with your work?

I'm an editor, but I'm also a writer, educator, and storyteller. That combination shapes the way I approach editorial work.

I hold a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in Literacy Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno. I'm also the founder and director of Storytelling Collective, an online creative-education community serving more than 16,000 storytellers worldwide. My professional writing and narrative-design work includes published work for Dungeons & Dragons, as well as my own fiction and creative projects. I've spent years reading, writing, teaching, and talking with writers about craft—and I bring all of those perspectives to my editorial work.

Most importantly, I understand that every writer and every project is different. My goal is to give you honest, useful feedback while helping you preserve the voice, vision, and personality that make your work yours.

My editorial philosophy

Good editing should make a writer feel more confident in their work—not less! An editor’s job is to support the writer’s vision. Every manuscript has its own strengths, challenges, and goals. I don't believe in applying the same checklist to every project (although I certainly do have checklists, and no shortage of spreadsheets).

I approach editing as a collaboration. I'll point out problems when I see them, but I'll also explain why something isn't working and offer actionable suggestions for addressing it. I want you to come away not only with a stronger manuscript, but with a better understanding of your own writing! As a writer myself, I understand how vulnerable the editing process can be, so I always provide support and enthusiasm alongside my feedback. You have worked so hard on your project and deserve to be championed! (And because it is a reality in creative spaces right now, I want to make it clear that I never, ever use AI in any step of my editing process.)

Editing Services

Developmental Editing

A big-picture look at your manuscript's structure, story, and reader experience. Developmental editing can address:

Plot and narrative structure
Pacing
Character development
Point of view
Setting and worldbuilding
Themes and narrative cohesion
Scene structure
Story logic and consistency

Developmental editing projects include a detailed editorial letter with observations, recommendations, and suggestions for revision; and a spreadsheet with a chapter-by-chapter analysis.

Line & Copy Editing

A closer look at the writing itself, with an emphasis on clarity, consistency, style, and readability.

Depending on your project, this may include:

Sentence-level clarity
Word choice
Grammar and mechanics
Dialogue
Voice and tone
Repetition and awkward phrasing
Consistency and continuity
Style and formatting

Line and copy editing projects include an annotated and corrected copy of your manuscript, with tracked changes.

Proofreading

A final pass for typos, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and other small errors before publication.

Proofreading is best suited to a manuscript that has already gone through substantive revision and is close to its final form.

This service can also be bundled with the other editing services I offer! We can discuss how proofreading affects the timeline.

Editing projects are completed within a 4 to 6-week timeline, accounting for your plans and goals.

Investing in your manuscript

Professional editing is a significant investment, particularly for independent authors who are often funding their books themselves. I understand that budgets can be tight, and I don't want cost to prevent a good project from getting the editorial support it needs.

Developmental editing starts at $1,000, with most projects falling between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on the manuscript and scope of the work.

If the full cost isn't workable upfront, I'm happy to discuss payment plans or other arrangements when possible. My goal is to find a structure that works for both of us while still ensuring you’re getting high-quality editing. If you're interested in working together but aren't sure whether the numbers will work, please reach out! We can talk about your project and your options before you make a commitment.

Who I work with

I work with writers at a variety of stages, from authors preparing their first manuscript to experienced storytellers getting a project ready for publication.

I particularly enjoy working with:

Novelists and short-story writers
Independent and traditionally published authors
Writers preparing manuscripts for publication or querying
Anthology contributors
Tabletop roleplaying game designers and writers
Writers who feel stuck or aren't sure what isn't working in a draft
Authors who want an experienced reader to help them take a good manuscript to the next level

You don't need to have everything figured out before you contact me. Part of my job is helping you understand what your project needs!

“Ashley Warren is my secret weapon. After spending a year writing and editing my novel, I hired her as my ‘catch-everything, leave-no-stone-unturned’ partner, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Not only did she deliver a manuscript that was flawlessly polished, but her creative suggestions—like adding an extra sentence of description and tying story lines together—took my novel to another level. I would not be as proud of my work as I am without Ashley's partnership. As writers, we’re often our own worst editors, so having a fresh set of eyes on our work is invaluable. But when those eyes belong to someone as talented, educated, and passionate as Ashley, it’s a game-changer. I’ll recommend her to every writer I know, because she’s simply the best. My only hope is that she’ll have room for my future projects!”

— Marysa Stevens, bestselling author of If The Fates Allow

How It Works

1. Tell me about your project

Get in touch and tell me about your manuscript, your goals, your timeline, and what kind of feedback you're looking for.

2. We'll determine what you need

I'll review the details of your project and recommend the type of editorial support that makes the most sense. If you're not sure whether you need developmental editing, line editing, or something else, I'll help you figure that out.

3. Send me your manuscript

Once we've agreed on the scope and timeline of the project, you'll send me your manuscript and any additional information that will help me understand your goals.

4. I'll get to work

I'll read your manuscript carefully and provide thoughtful, detailed feedback based on the goals we established together.

5. You'll receive your edits

You'll receive your edited manuscript and the other materials we’ve agreed upon. I'll make sure you understand my recommendations and have a clear sense of where to go next (this includes an optional Zoom call!).