Services

Mentoring

As your mentor, I want to hear all of the details about your writing that make your heart
sing and offer intentional, one-on-one guidance. Creative mentorship is guided by your needs, and each session is tailored to you. I have worked as a mentor both independently and within an agency, as well as an adjunct writing instructor; you can trust that I will always approach our sessions with an empathetic, growth-minded perspective. All sessions are via Zoom.

Mentoring Tiers

  • Coffee Chat: one 1-hour session
  • Retreat-Style: two 1-hour sessions
  • Workshop: four 1-hour sessions
  • Plumb the Depths: regular 1-hour coaching sessions

Please note that these services do not include any editorial markup. If you wish to discuss receiving direct editorial feedback on your work in addition to coaching, please do reach out to discuss the terms.

Please reach out for pricing and availability.

Query Critiques

You’ve put in the time perfecting your manuscript, and now you’re ready to begin the process of submitting to literary agents. With my firm footing in the literary industry from the agent perspective, I can offer you an experienced, evaluative eye with the following critique options:

  • Query Letter Critique
  • Synopsis Critique
  • First 5 Pages Critique
  • Submission Package Critique (all of the above)

Please note that these services do not include any coaching or mentoring via Zoom. If you wish to discuss your feedback further upon receipt of the critique, please do reach out to discuss the terms.

Please reach out to start a conversation.

Editing and Manuscript Critiques

Sample Edit

Are you in the early stages of a novel and want to ensure that you’re on the right track? Are you ready to send out your sample chapters to literary agents and need a second set of eyes to make sure your submission is polished? Or do you want to get a feel for my editing style before committing to an all-in developmental edit? I will provide thoughtful marginal commentary and detailed in-line feedback on your opening chapters (up to 5,000 words) to set you on the right track for your writing journey. Please note that this service does not include an editorial letter or coaching via Zoom.

Manuscript Critiques

Have you completed a draft of a novel and are unsure of how to begin your own editing process? First, take a deep breath; you wrote a novel, which is cause for celebration! Now, you need some advice and feedback on plot, pacing, and character development. I will read your manuscript in full and provide an editorial letter with wider commentary on craft and further suggestions on how to develop your own self-editing style. I am also willing to assess unfinished manuscripts, providing guidance on where to go next. Please note that this service does not include any markup on the manuscript or coaching via Zoom.

Proofreading, Copy Editing, and Line Editing

Your manuscript is almost ready to get into the hands of literary agents or independent presses, yet you’ve looked at it so many times that you aren’t sure whether you really wrote “the” or “teh.” With my hawk-eyed attention to detail, I will provide careful in-line edits to ensure clarity of expression and freedom from spelling and grammatical errors. Ever the Type A personality, I also cannot help myself with a bit of fact-checking, too! Please note that this service does not include any feedback on storytelling craft, such as plot, pacing, and character development, or coaching via Zoom.

Developmental Editing

Have you finished the first draft of your manuscript, but would you like some help further honing your craft? I can provide in-depth advice on plot, pacing, and character development, as well as voice, tone, and mood. This is provided in a full developmental edit with in-line feedback and marginal comments, as well as an additional editorial letter. Please note that this service does not include coaching via Zoom.

Please reach out for pricing and availability.

Testimonials

The one piece of advice that has stuck with me over the decade of my writing career is this: get yourself an amazing editor. It seems so simple and straightforward, and yet finding the perfect match can feel like a daunting task. Fate brought my manuscript to Maggie’s desk, but her work on it will bring me back for many future projects. Maggie’s feedback is thoughtful and measured. She has a way of getting to the heart of the story, finding the strands of gold within the tapestry – shaping and polishing them to a resplendent shine. Maggie doesn’t just offer feedback; she coaches the writer through it all, guiding them to their best work. Maggie not only elevated my manuscript, but she also made me a better writer.  Through her eyes, I recognized the pitfalls that tripped me up and learned the most effective ways to show the action rather than just telling, a concept I have struggled with since I began writing. No one had ever taught me in such a clear and concise way before.  My manuscript is the best work I’ve ever done because of Maggie’s encouragement and guidance. She is phenomenal!

Adrienne Dillard, author of Keeper of the Queen’s Jewels

[Maggie is] MAGICAL! Right after their session, my son told me he felt like he got all the points for what should be in his essay draft. He seemed more comfortable where he’s at now and knows more about himself and what’s holding him back during the [writing] process. We are so thankful to have found [Maggie]!

Tutoring client (middle school language arts)

I want to extend warm words of appreciation [for] Maggie Sadler. The feedback and thoughtful advice was excellent. A lot of work went into poring over my 80K word manuscript. Casually reading a book picked off the library shelf is one thing. Wading through a rough, unpolished project requires a serious love of letters. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do on my end making necessary changes to my book. 

Thank you again. Your notes have opened my eyes to so many things! I’ve been working hard to implement everything, and it’s turning out so much better than I could’ve ever imagined. THANK YOU! You are such a gem. 

Alicia Armeli, author

I have already started work on Maggie’s editorial revisions and suggestions. She certainly exceeded my expectations and I feel extremely comfortable with what needs to be done with my manuscript.

Robert Fasone, author

Maggie made a great effort to connect to the students. I also really enjoyed how she acknowledged my true potential in writing. While English may not be my favorite subject, I found her mentorship interesting and engaging.

English Composition Student, Washtenaw Community College

I cannot speak more highly of working with Maggie. Her feedback was constructive, honest, and thorough without ever being judgmental or harsh. She helped refine my synopsis, query letter, and first ten pages with precision. While I was confident in my opening pages, her insights echoed feedback I’d received elsewhere, but her specific, actionable comments helped me understand exactly how and where to make improvements. These changes only improved my voice and prose and, now, I am even more enthusiastic about my novel’s beginning. The same is true for my synopsis and query letter. While Maggie never overstepped or redirected my vision, she guided me toward the exact structure and content both documents needed. Thanks to her, I went from query-curious to query-ready, a feat that simply wouldn’t have happened without her guidance. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Katie Brown, Author

Great experience! Maggie was fast, efficient and professional. She offered great advice and grammatical corrections. She also provided very good suggestions that improved the flow of the text. I highly recommend Maggie and will definitely use her services in the future.

Deanna Asbury, author of The Dog Days of Ernie
Let’s dive into your creative journey. Start a conversation today.

Disclaimer: I am always enthusiastic about great writing and serving as a champion for authors. Currently, I am honored to have turned that passion into a growing career with Corvisiero Literary Agency. I currently accept submissions and am actively building my client list as an Associate Literary Agent. Please click here if you are interested in working with me in such a capacity.

As a conflict of interest, however, any paid work I take on through this site to help authors via mentorship, editing, or ghostwriting will not be considered by me for agency representation. You are free, however, to query another agent at Corvisiero Literary Agency.