Editorial Services

Helping writers develop their work at the level of ideas, structure, and story.

What I do

As a published author and cultural historian, I bring both creative sensitivity and intellectual rigour to every manuscript I work on. I know what it feels like to wrestle a book into shape.

I offer editorial support for writers of memoir and narrative nonfiction, as well as academics, working at the level of the whole: the ideas, structure, narrative arc, pacing and voice of your work.

Services

Whether you need a single editorial read or a longer-term collaborator, I offer a range of ways to work together.

Developmental Editing
Full or partial manuscript reads with a detailed editorial letter, addressing aspects such as structure, narrative arc, pacing and voice.

Research & Proposal Development
Help shaping a research plan, book proposal, or sample chapters. This can be useful before you've written a full draft, or when preparing to approach agents, publishers, or funders.

Ongoing Coaching & Mentoring
Regular, structured support across the life of a project, for writers who want a consistent collaborator to check in with as the work develops, rather than a single one-off read.

Ghostwriting
Working closely with you to write or co-write your book, drawing on your voice, material and ideas to produce a finished manuscript.

How I Work

Every project begins with a conversation to create a bespoke plan that suits where you are with your project.

Then, once I've read your manuscript or proposal, I write a detailed editorial letter covering the key structural and narrative questions your work is raising. I’ll look at what's working, what needs development, and how you might move forward.

We then meet by video call to talk it through. I work collaboratively and carefully. I'm not here to rewrite your book, unless you want me to! But I am here to help you see it more clearly.

What Is a Developmental Edit?

A developmental edit is also sometimes called a structural edit. In the context of a book project, here’s what I might typically do:

  • identify the through-line or narrative arc of the book and check that each chapter effectively hooks into it

  • home in on the voice of the book and ensure it is consistent

  • flag areas where transitions are needed, to gel the ideas for the reader.

  • look closely for any repetition or boring sections

  • assess the structure and pace of the chapters

  • assess the argumentation or the themes, to be sure it builds effectively throughout the book towards a narrative arc

  • identify key themes or motifs

When Is It Helpful?

  • When you have done some revisions to a draft but feel unsure or stuck

  • When preparing for peer review or submission to a publisher or agent, or simply when you need another perspective

  • When the voice or argument feels uneven, or the thread tying it all together isn’t clear yet, or the structure feels off.

Joanna Wolfarth freelance developmental editor

If you're interested in working together, I’d love to hear from you.

joanna@joannawolfarth.com

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes absolutely. What matters most is that you're ready to look closely at your project and think hard about its structure and shape.

  • That's absolutely fine. I work with writers at every stage, from an early idea, research plan or proposal through to a complete manuscript. We'll talk through where you are and what kind of support makes sense at this point.

  • Yes, this can be the right moment to get in touch. I know how it feels to try to start a new project or to feel lost partway through one. A lot of what I offer is simply being another pair of eyes and a steady, encouraging presence when the work feels too big or too close to see clearly on your own. You don't need a polished draft or a clear plan before reaching out.

  • Developmental editing means I work with your existing draft, helping you see and strengthen its structure, voice and narrative arc.

    Ghostwriting means I work much more closely with you to actually write or co-write the book itself, using your material, ideas and voice. We'll talk through which is the right fit for your project.

  • Both. Some writers want a single editorial letter and call; others prefer ongoing coaching across several rounds of revision, or a longer-term collaboration. We can shape this around what suits your project.

  • Yes. I work with academics moving into more public-facing, narrative-driven writing, as well as writers of memoir and narrative nonfiction.

  • Yes please! I'm available for commissioned essays, articles, and features, particularly on art history, motherhood, and cultural history. Get in touch with details of the publication and brief.

  • Yes, I'm happy to be contacted for press and broadcast commentary, particularly on the cultural history of breastfeeding, motherhood in art, and Southeast Asian art history. You can reach me directly, or via my agent, Jessica Woollard at DHA Literary Agency.

  • Get in touch with a brief description of your project and where you are in the process, and we'll set up a conversation to talk through what kind of support would suit you best.