Services
How We’ll Work Together
Editing with House of Braus isn’t about packages or tiers — it’s about partnership.
Every author and every story is different, so each collaboration is built around your goals, needs, and comfort level. When you work with me, you’re not choosing from a menu — you’re entering a conversation.
We’ll talk through where you are in your process, what your story needs, and what kind of editorial support will help it thrive.
I bring a foundation shaped by fifteen years in publishing and teaching — blending editorial craft with the empathy and structure of an educator. My approach centers cultural responsiveness, trauma sensitivity, and neuro-inclusive design, which simply means I meet you where you are and build systems that help you succeed.
Need extra check-ins or flexible pacing? We can do that.
Need help organizing revisions or setting manageable goals? I’ll guide you through it step by step.
Prefer visual aids, verbal processing, or a bit of both? We’ll adapt your feedback delivery so it fits the way you think and create.
And we do it with humor, patience, and a growing self-awareness — because this work is holistic. You might learn something new about your story, your process, or even yourself along the way. I always do.
This work is collaborative, intentional, and deeply human — designed to honor your voice, your capacity, and your growth as a storyteller.
What a Tailored Edit Really Means
Most editing focuses on fixing. I focus on understanding.
What Editing Usually Offers
• A single perspective — the reader’s point of view
• Focus on grammar, pacing, or structure in isolation
• Notes that correct but rarely teach
• A standardized process that assumes every author learns the same way
• Feedback that fixes the text but doesn’t grow the writer
Tailored editing means nothing is off-the-rack.
Every story, every author, every process — fitted to you.
What Editing Inside the House Includes
• Multi-POV immersion: I edit through every lens — author, character, reader, editor, and agent — to ensure the story works on every level.
• Character advocacy: I treat your characters as real people, meeting them where they are and helping you bring them fully to life.
• Author partnership: My feedback scaffolds your growth, helping you recognize patterns, build skills, and trust your instincts.
• Cultural and emotional awareness: Trauma-sensitive, neuro-inclusive, and responsive to lived experience — so the process supports you, not just the manuscript.
• Sustainable craft development: Every edit includes a 5–10 page craft breakdown and a comprehensive letter explaining the why behind each suggestion.
Why It Matters
Editing is a craft — a discipline built through curiosity, apprenticeship, and care.
It’s the art of slowing down, listening deeply, and understanding a story before touching it.
Inside the House of Braus, that’s what a tailored edit means: an edit that honors your intent, teaches through process, and protects the heart of your story.
Editorial Offerings
Every story deserves editing that meets it where it is.
Each collaboration inside the House is built around your goals, your story’s stage, and your preferred learning style.
There are no templates here — only thoughtful, story-first guidance that adapts as you grow.
Every edit begins with a consultation to establish goals and alignment. From there, we’ll shape a plan that meets you where you are and builds from your strengths.
Throughout our work together, you can expect:
• Ongoing communication and check-ins to keep you supported through revisions
• Optional follow-up calls for clarity or strategy
• The same foundation of equity, care, and respect that guides everything inside the House
Once you’ve stepped inside, you’re not just a project — you’re my author. That connection doesn’t end with the delivery of notes or the completion of an edit. I stay invested in your story, your growth, and your continued success.
Equity and care
I don’t charge for trauma-sensitive, culturally responsive, or DEIA-related reading. My experiences and training inform how I read and respond to story, but I also know my limits. When a manuscript would benefit from additional expertise, I’ll connect you with vetted sensitivity readers or members of our collective.
Editing is collaborative work — I can’t promise growth on command, but I can promise support, honesty, and a process that honors your story and your capacity every step of the way.
List of Services
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For the author seeking direction.
A wide-lens, diagnostic read designed to give you clarity and direction.
This service provides a professional overview of your story’s structure, character arcs, pacing, and thematic resonance — without margin comments or scene-level markups. It’s less about diving into every layer of the story and more about identifying which layers need your focus next.
You’ll receive a streamlined editorial letter outlining:
• The core story elements that are strongest — and how to preserve them
• The key areas that would most benefit from attention in your next draft
• The narrative or structural concerns that may be holding your story back
• Guidance on which craft concepts or techniques will make the greatest impact when addressedBefore the edit begins, you’re invited to share your own concerns, questions, or areas of uncertainty. Those author priorities shape the lens I bring to your evaluation.
The Manuscript Evaluation is not a “lite” edit; it’s a strategic diagnostic — a way to assess where your story stands, clarify your revision priorities, and understand the path forward before diving deeper into development.
Best for authors seeking clarity, confidence, and a defined direction for their next round of revision.
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The heart of the editorial process.
Here, we look at story architecture, character psychology, emotional stakes, pacing, and world logic.
I love story. I live in it and read immersively — through the eyes of your characters, your readers, and (if you’re pursuing traditional publishing) your future editor or agent — ensuring every layer connects and every choice serves your intent.
It all starts with a conversation. We’ll talk about your story, your goals, and how you want to grow as a writer. From there, I build a framework of guided suggestions that scaffold your learning while strengthening your story’s core.
Before you receive feedback, you’ll get a Story Theory Primer — a short guide defining key craft terms and showing how structure, character, and theme interact inside your manuscript. That way, we’re literally on the same page before you open the edit.
You’ll receive:
• A detailed editorial letter (often 15–25+ pages) with actionable notes and teaching moments
• Scene-level comments written in a conversational tone — like notes from a creative partner
• “Global” comments through the opening chapters to illustrate recurring line-level or stylistic patterns to watch for in revisionThis isn’t just an edit; it’s a collaboration that strengthens both your book and your skill as an author.
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Where story meets style.
This edit refines your prose line by line — enhancing rhythm, clarity, tone, and emotional precision without losing your natural voice.
I go inside the sentence, inside the scene, inside the chapter, within the story. I read for consistency in voice and style, as well as the smallest plot details — the ones that make your world feel real.
We’ll focus on sentence flow, paragraph structure, and word choice, but also on how your language shapes immersion, tension, and mood. This is where we examine how every choice — from syntax to subtext — contributes to the reader’s emotional experience.
Expect detailed margin comments that both question and teach: asking why a phrasing works, where cadence falters, or how to heighten an emotional beat for maximum impact. These notes aren’t corrections; they’re conversations — an invitation to see your own voice more clearly.
Ideal for manuscripts with solid structure that are ready to shine.
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The closing polish before publication or submission.
This is the final read — the one that ensures your story feels seamless from start to finish. I focus on cohesion, pacing, and tonal consistency, checking that every thread connects and every page reads with clarity and confidence.
By this stage, the heavy lifting is done. The goal now is refinement — smoothing transitions, tightening phrasing, and confirming that emotional and narrative beats land as intended.
I’ll look for language echoes, continuity slips, or moments where rhythm wavers, making small adjustments that let your prose breathe without losing its texture.
This is the last mirror your story stands before — one more pass to make sure it shines before it steps out into the world.
Ideal for authors preparing to query, publish, or finalize their manuscript with intention and care.
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A focused re-evaluation after revision.
Once you’ve implemented feedback, this pass assesses how the changes have landed — story flow, character continuity, scene energy, and any new ripple effects created by revision.
You’ll receive a targeted letter (typically 5–8 pages) alongside margin notes highlighting what’s working beautifully, what still wobbles, and where to focus next.
The goal is not perfection — it’s alignment. Ensuring that your revisions reflect your intent and that every change strengthens, rather than dilutes, the heart of your story.
This pass is conversational and collaborative — a guided checkpoint to help you close the loop on revision and move forward with confidence.
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For the author seeking guidance.
Hone your writing skills and navigate your author journey with confidence through tailored coaching sessions. Whether you're struggling with a specific aspect of your craft or seeking direction in your writing career, these sessions are designed to address your unique needs and goals.
What You Get
Personalized coaching sessions focused on your specific challenges and objectives
Practical exercises and feedback to improve craft and technique
Strategic advice on your writing career and publishing path
Accountability and motivation to keep you on track
Flexible scheduling to fit your needs
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Copyediting and proofreading are distinct from developmental and line editing — and they should be sequenced, not stacked.
Copyediting addresses grammar, usage, and mechanics. Proofreading is the final typo and formatting check before publication. Both require fresh eyes once the story’s structure and style are fully set.
I don’t offer full copyediting or standalone proofreading in-house. Instead, I’ll connect you with vetted professionals who share the House standard of care and quality.
I never accept referral fees — just the satisfaction of a good match.
Beware of one-stop “dev + copyedit” bundles on the same pass.
Great books respect editorial sequence.
Not Seeing What You Need?
Editing is individualized. The list above reflects the most common services, but I regularly tailor support such as:
• Query letter & synopsis consults
• Pitch package or agent strategy
• First-pages or opening-chapter audits (10–50 pages)*
• Scene labs, beat maps, or chapter triage
• Worldbuilding & series-bible checks
• Sensitivity reader referrals and coordination
• Accountability plans between edits
*Attached to consults & coaching services. Nothing I do is simply on paper — every exchange is designed to teach, guide, or empower. (See also “Why I Don’t Offer Sample Edits.”)
If you have a specific need, ask. If it’s outside my lane, I’ll point you to the right person — no referral fees, ever.
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What It Means to Be a House Author
Once you’ve stepped inside the House, you’re part of it.
Every author I work with becomes part of an ongoing creative partnership built on trust, respect, and shared curiosity.
My role is to be your first reader and your fiercest advocate — to see both your story’s potential and your growth as a writer. I’ll ask hard questions, protect your intent, and explain the reasoning behind every note so you always understand the why behind the work.
That advocacy doesn’t stop when an edit ends. I stay invested in your journey — whether that means helping you vet critique partners, recommending a trusted agent or designer, or simply checking in when it’s time for your next project.
Transparency is core to this work. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll tell you — and I’ll help you find someone who is. Because the right editor–author match can change everything.
House authors are also invited to join the House Salon — an evolving community for accountability, collaboration, and continued craft growth. It’s a space to stay inspired, connect with other writers, and keep learning long after a project closes.
Inside the House, you’re never just a client.
You’re part of a story that keeps unfolding.
The House Is Open
Every story deserves to be seen.
If you’re ready to deepen your craft, strengthen your story, or simply talk through what your manuscript needs next, I’d love to connect.
There’s no pressure, no pitch — just a conversation about your story, your goals, and how we can bring them to life.
Free Consultation Call
In your one-hour call, we dive deep into your manuscript and your goals as an author. This session is designed to provide you with actionable insights and initial thoughts on the pages you’ve sent me.
During our conversation, we will:
Discuss your goals and what you hope to achieve with your manuscript.
Review an initial analysis of your submitted pages, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.
Explore the challenges you face in your writing process.
Identify next steps to enhance your manuscript and move forward confidently.
This call not only helps us determine if we’re a good fit for each other but also ensures you gain valuable feedback and direction for your writing journey. Think of it as a try-before-you-buy experience, where you get a taste of the personalized support and expert guidance that House of Braus offers.
What it’s like to work with House of Braus
I’m hyperaware that investing in an editorial consultant is exactly that– An investment. In your book, your career, and yourself. You shouldn’t have to wait three months to determine if you invested in a lemon of an editor.
Here at House of Braus, our goal isn’t just to meet reader expectations - it’s to exceed them.
You want to work with someone who understands the vision you have for your manuscript, someone who adapts their editorial feedback to get the book there without overtaking or smothering your voice and style, and has a proper, if not excellent, way of communicating with you throughout the process.
Ready to work with such an editor?
KIND WORDS FROM AUTHORS
“Mallory’s edits are not for the faint of heart, but they certainly are for the writer who wants her work to be the best it can be. She has a fabulous eye for story. She’s clearly passionate about what she does and dedicated to protecting the author’s vision of the story. She’s never failed to provide insight I wouldn’t have discovered on my own.”
-Sabrina Darby