One-On-One Mentorship
Purchase a pack of hours and work with me towards realizing your creative writing goals, whether you’re looking to, say, polish and publish a specific piece (or two), work on a manuscript, kickstart a new essay, develop a sustainable writing habit, or learn more about the possibilities of lyric forms. After an initial consultation where I’ll get a sense for your project(s) and needs, we’ll come up with a game plan — this can look like any combination of feedback and critique, assignments, readings, lessons, discussions, advice, and inspiration. Hours can be spread out up to six months, and meetings may take place on zoom or in person in whatever configuration fits your schedule and personal timeline. Through a mentorship with me you’ll receive tailored support towards your development as a writer, based on what you want to achieve right now.
6 hours - $600 | 10 hours - $1000 | 12 hours - $1200 — all expire after 6 months
Essay and Memoir Editorial Development
Maybe you're not sure whether you have a collection of essays or the beginnings of a memoir. And if you did have a memoir, how would you even structure it? Maybe you have a situation, but need help with the story. Maybe your short thing needs to be long, or your big thing wants to be small. For nearly a decade I’ve worked with writers at all levels, across many styles, in all stages of the writing process. Wherever you’re at, I can help you transform your prose into the best version of itself.
Includes a professional, thoughtful editorial feedback letter, with big-picture, developmental suggestions.
In-document comments, edits, and suggestions, both micro and macro level, that address weaknesses and strengths.
May include tailored reading suggestions and personalized craft lessons to help strengthen the manuscript and your writing skills more broadly.
A 30 to 60 minute discussion of your work on Zoom, depending on needs.
Starting at $150 for up to 3,000 words. Fee increases for longer projects up to 20,000 words. At this time I am not taking projects over 20,000 words.
“I’m in two writing groups, each with seasoned, well-published writers. I’ve also, over the decades, paid numerous professional critiquers, developmental editors, heads of creative writing departments at prestigious colleges, and one famous—in fact, legendary—writer. None of them have been able to hold a candle to Nina’s insight, clarity, and sheer, no-fucking-around, rolled-up-sleeves ability to make my manuscript light-years better than it was. She also puts way more time, energy, and care into her critiques than any other critiquer I’ve ever worked with, hands down. Nina’s just on another level.”
“Professionalism coupled with respectful comments on my piece meant working with Nina was not only useful, but enjoyable. The relationship between editor and writer can be tricky but she made it lovely. While I like to think of her as my lucky charm, it wasn’t luck that got my piece selected for publication after many rejections — Nina is the editing bomb. I highly recommend her editorial services even though I want to keep her to myself...”
“I’ve worked with Nina on various projects (ranging from short form to book length work) for the past three years, and her feedback has always been incisive, smart, and most importantly, actionable. In addition to providing line notes and “big picture” comments, she often supplements her feedback with readings to inform my revisions. As a writing teacher myself, I know how useful it is for writers to read model texts alongside their own work, and Nina’s inclusion of pieces that illustrate her notes has always shaped my rewrites in really productive, meaningful ways. I’ve had several hitherto mushy, somewhat meandering pieces accepted for publication thanks to Nina’s critical perspective.”
“The close reading of my essay, in depth written and verbal feedback, and amazing handouts are beyond anything I could have hoped for.”
“The level of feedback was so detailed and specific, it really helped me understand what was being suggested and where my weak points were. I got a tremendous amount of value from Nina specifically.”
“Her comments were so insightful that after reading them I would go back to my piece and have a real aha moment.”
“Thank you for your time and the thoughtful measure of my work. I appreciate your encouragement to risk in terms of form. It opens up channels for creating from an internal force.”