Editorial collaboration for visionary queer and women storytellers
Truth: Being a writer requires a certain amount of hubris. You have to believe that the uncertain journey is worth it—that your story is worth it.
Another truth: It’s difficult to nurture that confidence in your creative worth. It’s so easy to decide we have to fit ourselves into a publisher’s list, an Amazon search, or an MFA workshop instead of being led by our deepest creative vision.
We’ve all seen fellow queer, nonbinary, or femme writers hiding their truest stories, worrying they’ll never be good enough. But when we stifle our own authentic voices, everyone loses out on a more just, fully enlivened world.
What you are capable of imagining matters. What you imagine has a living spirit.
When you give your vision form, that form has powerful function. And not only for you, but for everyone who is touched by it.
Your work deserves your daring; it’s time for you to set your most luminous, mythic, and inspired storytelling loose.
Together, we'll rediscover the radical, transformative magic in your story—and actually get that powerful story on the page.
What clients are saying...
“When I asked Mary for editorial feedback, I didn't realize that she would help me see my story in a completely new way.
Mary intuitively understood my fictional world and worked with me to clarify my vision. She deftly identified the plot points that were muddying the narrative and asked insightful questions about my characters. Her thoughtful analysis of the broader themes was equally matched by attention to detail on a micro level. Her suggestions were encouraging and constructive, and always aimed to amplify my voice rather than insert her own.
Mary’s feedback was exactly what I needed to deepen my ideas and move forward with a much stronger piece of fiction. I would work with her again in a heartbeat!”
— Nada P., fiction writer
“I really appreciated the way Mary provided new ideas while still letting me ‘own’ the story as the writer. Without her suggestions, I don't think this story could ever be told and finished in any sort of cohesive way…
To be honest, it was a little daunting deciding if a professional edit is worth the investment, but the feedback and quality have exceeded all of my expectations.”
— Tony Fisher, surrealist science fiction writer
You’re in the right place if...
- you’re an author writing speculative fiction that breaks boundaries and illuminates margins
(my genre specialties: science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, magic realism, retellings, LGBTQIA+ characters and topics, diverse worldbuilding) - you’re a counselor, holistic practitioner, or spiritual seeker creating nonfiction that explores contemplative and liberatory practices
(my topic specialties: mythology and folklore, transpersonal psychology, eco-spirituality and naturalism, paganism, animism, witchcraft, tarot)
Every project starts with a free sample edit or consult—this is the best way for us to see if we’ll work well together before committing to a full edit.
MANUSCRIPT EDITING SERVICES
Take your draft from “this is... fine” to the potent story you envisioned
If you’ve completed a draft of your project, but it’s not yet capturing your story’s full magic and spirit, I’ll provide in-depth feedback that helps you reconnect with your creative vision.
We’ll create a plan for your revision process by identifying and clarifying the core elements of your book—the storytelling threads that will leave their mark on your readers long after the last page. I’ll also help you discover your personal writing strengths, giving you tailored tools to bring your craft to a deeper level.
Once we’ve touched base about your project, you’ll get a customized proposal along with an editing sample. Rates range from $0.024 to $0.03 per word, depending on the project.
I was especially impressed with the feedback letter, which included several important observations that helped me grow as a writer.”
— Greg Edlund, magic realism fiction writer
“Mary is amazing, she turned my rough diamond into a polished gem—my book went from good to a great piece of art. Will use her again as soon as my next project is done. Highly recommend!”
— Jill Thomas, self-development nonfiction writer
COACHING SERVICES
Chart a focused course for your writing—without losing your sense of creative discovery
If you’re starting a new project (or if you’re stuck in the middle of one!), I’ll help you create a clear, supportive outline or drafting plan to bring your work to life, while still leaving room for magic and play.
I know how it feels to get lost deep in a drafting doom spiral—and I bring that first-hand experience with anxiety blocks to all my work. Reaching your goals doesn’t have to mean writing from a place of estrangement, evaluation, and punishing expectation. It’s time to rediscover your sense of enlivened, collaborative, generative possibility.
Coaching packages are tailored to your project and your needs. All coaching includes at least two one-on-one sessions, with follow-up over email; packages start at $250. A typical package for a full book outline includes 5-6 sessions over the course of 3-6 months, with in-depth follow-up; outline sessions are $310 each.
Mary’s editorial counseling is incisive and intuitive, and I leave sessions with even more excitement for my project than I entered with.
A writing practice is made swifter and sweeter with sails to guide it!”
— Kelsey Daly, fantasy and magic realism fiction writer
I’m Mary Lanham, an editor and writer committed to helping creatives discover their most powerful stories.
Editing may be an alchemical art, but it’s a practical science as well—your work deserves to be supported by a creative partner who's studied both the writing craft and the editing profession.
I have an honors degree in Creative Writing from Williams College, and I learned the publishing ropes as an editorial intern with Red Wheel/Weiser Books and with Milkweed Editions. I currently edit for authors, publishers, and game designers.
I’m also a member of ACES: The Society for Editing, the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), and the Professional Editors Network (PEN). As a committed language nerd, I take a lot of professional skills classes, including:
- the Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing
- Copyediting: Intermediate and Advanced (EFA courses)
- Developmental Editing of Fiction: Beginning - Advanced (EFA courses)
- Copyediting Fiction (EFA course)
- Inclusive Language (ACES course)
- Immersive Copyediting for Fantasy & Science Fiction (ACES webinar)
- Unconscious Bias and the Conscientious Editor (ACES webinar)
- Bricklaying: Editing for Structure (ACES webinar)
I live in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Dakota peoples, where I share a home with my partner and our disconcertingly friendly cat. When I’m not doing word stuff, you can find me hiking at the local wildlife refuge, taking a dance class, or researching my latest esoteric obsession.
And finally, the most important thing to know about any editor: Oxford comma, yes or no??
When it comes to my own writing, you will pry the Oxford comma out of my cold, dead, and stiffened hands. But if you don’t use it, I can deal. After all, editing is about collaborative creative discovery, not indulging my personal grammar fixations (really!).
Get your editing sample