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How to Choose and Work with a Memoir Developmental Editor
Memoir is the most personal form of nonfiction, and it is also one of the most structurally demanding. The challenge of memoir is not remembering what happened. It is deciding what your life experiences mean, which moments carry the weight of the story you are telling, and how to arrange them so a reader who was not there can understand not just the events but the person who lived through them.
Holly Totten
Jul 2312 min read


Booking Your Editor: Understanding Developmental Editing Turnaround Times and Project Timelines
They spend months writing, then, somewhere in the final stretch of drafting, they begin thinking about finding an editor. The manuscript is nearly done. The work feels close. The impulse is to find someone available now.
Holly Totten
Jul 2111 min read


What Is Inside a Premium Developmental Editing Package? Scope and Deliverables
What's included in a developmental editing package? Explore typical deliverables editorial letters and what to expect from feedback.
Holly Totten
Jul 1613 min read


The Step-by-Step Guide to Getting a Free Sample Developmental Edit Before You Hire
A manuscript excerpt on a laptop screen beside a second screen showing an editor's annotated response with margin comments visible, side-by-side in a clean workspace setting.
Holly Totten
Jul 1411 min read


Developmental Editor vs. Copy Editor vs. Critique Partner: Which Do You Actually Need?
Confused about developmental editor vs copy editor vs critique partner? Find out which editorial service fits your current writing phase.
Holly Totten
Jul 910 min read


Is a Developmental Editor Worth the Money? An Honest ROI Analysis for Indie Authors
Is hiring a developmental editor a waste of money? Discover the real value and ROI of a professional developmental edit for indie authors.
Holly Totten
Jul 611 min read


Evaluating an Editor's Portfolio and Testimonials Without Getting Scammed
Avoid scams and choose a qualified editor. Learn how to review a developmental editor's portfolio testimonials and red flags.
Holly Totten
Jul 29 min read


Hire and Vet Developmental Editor for Your Book
Learn how to find a trustworthy developmental editor vet their experience and ask the right questions before hiring.
Holly Totten
Jun 2912 min read


Developmental Editing Services Cost: What Your Manuscript Really Needs
Developmental editing services go far beyond grammar. Discover what a developmental edit covers, what you receive, and when your manuscript needs one.
Holly Totten
Jun 269 min read


How to Hire a Nonfiction Writing Coach: A Step-by-Step Checklist
Not sure how to hire a nonfiction writing coach? This step-by-step checklist covers what to look for, what to ask, and how to find the right fit.
Holly Totten
Jun 2311 min read


Writing Coach vs. Editor: Which One Do You Actually Need?
Not sure whether to hire a writing coach or an editor for your nonfiction book? Here is how to tell the difference and which one your manuscript needs.
Holly Totten
Jun 199 min read


The Real Cost of Editing a Book in 2026: A Complete Pricing Guide
Find out what editing a book really costs in 2026, from developmental edits to proofreading, plus a smarter way to budget for your nonfiction manuscript.
Holly Totten
Jun 158 min read


How to Find Your Writing Voice: A Practical Guide for Nonfiction Authors
Your story matters more than you know. Discover the transformative power of sharing your personal narrative — for yourself, your readers, and the world.
Holly Totten
Jun 36 min read


The Power of Sharing Your Story: Why Your Personal Narrative Can Change Lives
There is something deeply human about sharing your story. Whether whispered across generations, written in a journal, or published as a book, your personal narrative holds the power to transform not only your life but also the lives of those who hear it.
Holly Totten
Jun 16 min read


Collaborative Book Writing: Why Organizations Are Publishing Group Nonfiction Books
More organizations are turning to collaborative book writing to tell their story. Learn why group nonfiction books build community, authority, and lasting impact.
Holly Totten
May 296 min read


Book Collaboration: How to Write a Book with a Group Without Losing Your Voice
Collaborative writing is a wonderful way to bring multiple perspectives, expertise, and creativity into a single project.
Holly Totten
May 276 min read


What Is a Collaborative Book? How Group Writing Projects Create Powerful Shared Stories
Discover what a collaborative book is, how group writing projects work, and why organizations and communities are using them to tell powerful shared stories.
Holly Totten
May 267 min read


Nonfiction Book Cover Design: Why Your Cover Is Your Most Important Marketing Tool
curious about book coaching services? Learn exactly what's included, what the process looks like, and how to know if you're ready to work with a book coach.
Holly Totten
May 227 min read


Book Coaching Services: What's Included and How to Know If You're Ready
Curious about book coaching services? Learn exactly what's included, what the process looks like, and how to know if you're ready to work with a book coach.
Holly Totten
May 186 min read


Nonfiction Writing Coach: How the Right Coach Helps You Write a Better Book, Faster
A nonfiction writing coach does more than just review your pages. Discover how the right coach accelerates your writing, sharpens your message, and gets you to done.
Holly Totten
May 176 min read
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