Editing
Words speak to me.
I encounter them in their wild, unruly draft form and they plead, “Put us in our place, every last one of us!” I have no choice but to oblige.
Some words beg to be flung out like light. “Shine on, you crazy diamonds,” I encourage, giving them a spotlight and microphone. Others wish to be stripped down bare. “Cut the schmaltz and write us simple,” they implore. So I do.
Such is the wordplay of an editor enamored with language. To me, EDIT is not a four-letter word; it’s an opportunity to luxuriate in the satisfaction of writing done well … and to create an expression that you can feel dang proud of for years to come. If you’re having anything less than loads of fun with your writing project, let’s talk.
WELCOME TO THE WORD ALCHEMIST’S BENCH
To Write is Human | To Edit is Divine
Any piece of writing that you’ve already pulled together is where my editing process begins. Contingent upon what you send to me to read, I step in and assess what is needed. Once I review your pages, I will recommend either a comprehensive critique/assessment, a deep-dive developmental edit to shape structure and flow, a meticulous line-by-line refinement, and/or a final-stage proofreading.
While most clients have me oversee the entire scope of their editorial needs, I’m happy to piecemeal what is needed, and sashay in-and-out of the process, as asked.
I also, on occasion, partner with select distinguished authors in a co-authorship or ghostwriting arrangement to help sculpt and publish powerful books that deserve to be in the world.
Need help crafting marketing or other original content? Scroll down to read about the branding and high-level content writing that I do for not just my authors, but for visionary creatives, leading-edge organizations and mission-driven entrepreneurs who are at the top of their game and committed to making a positive impact in the world.

Manuscript Evaluation & Critique
An evaluation of your work is the first step. If you have a partial or finished manuscript or other piece of writing, perhaps now is the time to have a set of professional eyes review your work and give you a solid critique.
Manuscript Evaluation & Critique
Bear in mind that feedback from those who know little about the artistic process—even well-intentioned colleagues and loved ones—can be ambiguous, personal and can stymie your creative flow or derail the whole journey; whereas constructive comments from a seasoned editor can spur you to new heights and beyond. (Your English major friend may be a great beta reader, but doesn’t have the same trained skills as a pro-editor.)
Enter, the Muse, stage right. My evaluation can be stand-alone or included as part of my editing services, below. Depending on your needs, we’ll put together a plan of action for moving your manuscript forward. Even if you feel that your writing is ship-shape, it can still benefit from a fresh perspective. As creators, we can get too close to our material and miss things that another trained eye would readily see.

Developmental Editing
This form of high editing could be the most valuable investment you’ll make in your book because it strengthens the work’s foundation before polishing begins. Unlike copyediting or proofreading, which focus on surface-level mechanics, developmental editing dives deep into the heart of your manuscript—its structure, flow, clarity, and emotional resonance.
Developmental Editing
In a developmental edit, I work closely with your manuscript to bring out the fullest expression of your vision. This may include shaping the narrative arc, refining pacing, ensuring ideas unfold with clarity, deepening character and plot development, and making dialogue feel more authentic. I also look for blind spots, areas of untapped potential, and opportunities to enrich the work on a deeper level. The ultimate goal is to craft a book that carries your readers on a seamless and compelling journey from the first page to the last—one that lingers with them and leaves a lasting, positive impact.
- Do you need help with brainstorming your book idea / main message?
- Is what you’ve written suitable to market or not quite ready for prime time?
- Is the narrative cohesive or inchoate?
- Should the material be reorganized to better present the topic or plot?
- Does it need to be expanded, deepened, shortened or tightened in places?
- Are there problem areas that require complete rewrites?
- Is the plot sequential, plausible and logical?
- Does the dialogue sound natural or stilted?
- Should it include cited research or relevant sources that substantiate or bolster your central point?
- Does your story structure function effectively within your specific genre?
- Could the work use substantive revisions or a good cleanup throughout?
Developmental editing can also include crucial considerations such as the work’s overall theme, marketing viability and—last but not least—the title and subtitle. Always bear in mind that your writing should end up sounding like YOU, only better—not your editor or someone else’s voice.

Copyediting & Proofreading
This form of meticulous line editing transforms your manuscript from good to great. It strengthens the work by applying the rules of good composition and efficient writing. It is generally performed as a final pass to hone a manuscript for submission or publication. When doing this type of editing, I gleefully slip into my OCD persona and focus on the twee minutia.
Copyediting & Proofreading
Proofreading and copyediting ensure that your writing is polished, accurate, and reader-ready. This stage also prepares your manuscript for seamless formatting and confident submission to agents, publishers, or designers/formatters. It includes:
- Correcting spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors
- Eliminating redundancies and verbosity
- Tightening structure
- Catching inconsistencies in plot, point of view, timeline, etc.
- Fixing problems with character development or pacing
- Varying word choices
- Fact-checking
- Fine-tuning the rhythm and sound of the prose
- Generally giving the language a spit and polish
- Addressing front and back matter
- Perfecting formatting of all pages
If you are seeking a traditional book contract: Traditional publishing houses use acquiring editors and contracted editors to work on your manuscript and navigate the revision process with you. You may think you don’t need an editor if you’re pursuing traditional publishing because you’ll work with one if you get a contract—the operative word being IF. The market is oversaturated with unedited and poorly edited books. Boost your odds of being successful by working with a trained editor who can help you create content that is the best representation of your capabilities. THEN shop your manuscript. In the larger scheme of things, you’ll also be upholding the integrity of the market.
The Words of Gina's Clients


Author of Happy On Purpose

Leadership Unleashed: A Great Dane's Wisdom for the Business World


High-Level Content Writing
If it’s true that content is king, then I’m the queen of locution. Are you in need of clear, concise, radical and dazzling messaging with honesty and conscience? Then just say the word—that is, have me say it for you.
My business-as-usual is authentic, inventive content that informs, entertains and, ultimately, sells.
View Samples of my Content Writing below.
Practiced in the Art of Wordplay
As your content writer, I can fly solo or step in to support your team, whichever you prefer. My vibe is super collaborative, so I slide in seamlessly to work alongside art / film directors, web builders, graphics departments, marketing coordinators, PR mavens, IT geeks, even other editors. Or if you want me to lead your project, I can take it from concept through implementation to completion, building a team for you, as needed.
- Website content
- Social media ads and posts
- Blog articles and essays
- Podcast / video scripts and course materials
- Pitch decks
- Feature articles for newspapers, magazine & trade pubs
- Bios / CVs
- Sales / query letters
- Taglines, company / product names
- Print ads, outdoor and other signage
- Marketing collateral: direct mail, image pieces, sales brochures, flyers
- Press releases and media kits
- Personal promotional materials
- Company positioning docs
- Speeches, TEDx talks and presentations

Ghostwriting & Co-Authorships
Do you believe in ghostwriters? You may not see them but they’re real. This apparition is a writer who pens a project under someone else’s name with their consent. They can create whole books out of vapor or, through some mysterious voodoo, transform a pile of gobbledygook into a polished manuscript.
I am one such entity. Essentially, I write for hire in the shadows on behalf of my clients and they take all the publishing credit.
Ghost Writing | Co-Authorship
I accept a limited number of projects each year as either ghostwritten books or co-authorships (in which I share publishing credit with my fellow author). These are works in which I passionately believe in the message, integrity and salability of the author, and am drawn to collaborate with them on a level beyond editing and consulting.
If you’d like to be considered for an assessment, I would be delighted to talk with you about your project. Begin by sending a synopsis and marketing pitch to me HERE.
- Have a story to tell but don’t want to write it?
- Want to bring your idea to fruition but don’t have the time?
- Looking to create brand exposure for your professional expertise through authorship but have no desire to actually write a book?
Hire a Ghostwriter
Learn about ghostwriting in my discussion with Bryan Heathman from Made for Success Publishing.
SAMPLES OF MY BRANDING & CONTENT WRITING
Anita Buzzy-Prentiss
Christine Goodis
Deborah Forrest, PhD
Joe Weston | The Weston Network
Occupy Here
Shama Viola
Debra Holz
Crotalo Sesamo
Kristy Vanacore
The Words of Gina's Clients


Amazon bestseller in 3 categories


