Freelance Editing

Often, revision is a matter of following our stories rather than trying to control them—of finding out what they are. We think we’re shaping the work, but the work has a shape of its own if only we can find it.

I don’t believe in rules, but I do believe in choices. All creative writing is a series of choices—choices about who our characters are and what they experience, choices about tone and point of view, plot and structure, conflict, world, imagery, genre, and so on. As an editor and teacher of writing, I see my role as demonstrating just what some of these choices are and how they effect a given work. I want to show you how other writers may have confronted similar issues in the past.

I get such satisfaction out of working closely with other writers as they move through the process. And always I try to be the kind of editor I’d want for myself. Someone dependable, flexible, someone who gets back to me quickly, someone to bounce ideas off of—someone to offer solutions.

For creative work, I charge $85 an hour. I offer feedback on fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry and screenwriting.

“Working with Adam has helped me take the next step with my writing. He gives specific and actionable feedback.” – David Degusta, Fiction Writer

“Adam really helped me get to the next level, not by being prescriptive, but by uncovering what I really cared about in the story—and then empowering me to revise accordingly.” – Christine Olivas, fiction writer

COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAYS AND MORE

The college application essay can make all the difference when it comes to getting into the school of your choice. But they’re also very difficult to write. How to make your essay stand out while also fitting admissions standards? I can help every step of the way, from brainstorming to final draft.

I also offer editing services for cover letters, resumes and grant proposals.

For these services, my rate is $100 an hour.