Work with chris
Consulting, Editing, Coaching
For over two decades, I’ve worked with writers as a developmental editor and manuscript consultant. Some of the work I do is more like coaching: helping you turn dreams and ideas into concrete writing goals. Then we work together to meet those goals, whether you’re working on a first draft of a novel, a collection of poems, a personal essay, or a short story. I’ve done everything from helping writers submit their work for publication, to selecting and editing submissions to MFA programs.
No matter what your goals are, it’s always an honor to read someone's work, and I never lose sight of that during these consultations.
My consultation style focuses on building safety and trust, so I always ask the writer to prepare a series of questions for me to answer. I also make sure to balance suggestions and constructive critical feedback with praise, noting where the writing works well, is engaging, and is successful. All of this helps the writer to maintain agency and build confidence.
The Details
Location: I usually meet with writers at the Java Beach Cafe, on Sloat Blvd. and 45th Avenue, in San Francisco, or online.
Meetings: This commitment can be long-term or a one-off.
Investment: $125/hour
The Setting and Vibe: Our 1:1 work will follow a specific process, beginning with a meeting (either in person or online) to discuss the length and goals of the consultation, and how often you’ll submit pages to me for feedback. I’ll give your writing a thorough reading, and you’ll receive a detailed, typed response focusing on what's strong in the work, as well as places I was confused or tripped up, along with grammatical and syntactical suggestions. And I always send a typed response, which we discuss during our next meeting, and you will have for future reference.