Editing + Coaching

• tell more compelling stories

• tighten your argument

• create vivid scenes and characters

• sharpen your sentences

• and more.

If you’re struggling to stay on track, trying to tame unwieldy material, or just figuring out what you’re trying to say—get in touch. I can help.

As a coach and editor, I provide support and accountability, and/or excellent line editing, and/or discerning manuscript development. I work with each client to come up with a plan that works for them.

“Nell has a great ear, and an eye for the telling details that bring a subject to life. She is also a great colleague and collaborator. She doesn’t try to turn your work into her own, but helps you write in the best version of yourself.”

Karen Weintraub

Health and science journalist for the New York Times, Scientific American, Boston Globe, others.

“I’ve worked with Nell for several decades. She’s the best conceptual, structural and line editor I know of. She helps long-published professional writers to the next level, and gives talented newcomers the insights that help them tame sprawling drafts. Nell has achieved deep conceptual understanding of how complex long-form narrative works, and a practical, kind way with sentences, and with writers. She’s a rare talent.”

Mark Kramer

Founding director (ret.), Nieman Program on Narrative Journalism; clinical professor of the practice in narrative journalism, conference director, and writer-in-residence, Boston University; co-editor of Telling True Stories.