Jodi
As an author, Jodi has been studying writing craft for over 20 years, so she has a strong understanding of how fiction works. She holds an MFA in creative writing and has taken multiple editing classes through the Editorial Freelancers Association.
While teaching fiction writing, grammar, and rhetoric at North Central University in Minneapolis, she discovered her passion for helping writers improve their skills. She's served as a mentor for the WriteMentor program and had the pleasure of coaching authors as they prepared manuscripts for submission. Through it all, she's realized how rewarding it is to partner with authors in transforming their stories.
As an editor and mentor, she has worked with upper middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction. Her editing specialties are novels with speculative elements, whether epic fantasy or a real-world story with a mere hint of magic; contemporary upper MG or YA stories with romantic subplots; and stories that blend genres.
Jodi lives in Minnesota with her husband, two teenagers, three cats, and a bearded dragon. Her hobbies include reading, knitting, dabbling (badly) with watercolor, and posting too many pictures of her pets on social media.
Catherine Ogston
Jodi was an amazing mentor who challenged me to think carefully about the themes of my novel. Her guidance helped me to rewrite my manuscript so that it was the best it could be. Jodi was supportive throughout this process and her enthusiasm for my writing was so encouraging. Her patient and professional manner meant that working with her was a thoroughly positive experience.
Marti Parham
Jodi is a Godsend! Jodi is patient, kind, and honest, and she has a way of asking the right questions to get the most creativity out of you when it comes to growing an idea into a full story concept. I highly recommend taking advantage of her editorial services.
Mark J Engels
Being a speculative fiction author herself, Jodi knows what makes for a good spec-fic story. She will spend considerable time getting to know a writer, their stories, and their characters. By endeavoring to understand where a writer comes from and what vision they have for their work, Jodi asks all the questions necessary to offer actionable suggestions—suggestions sure to fortify a writer's confidence, emboldening them to undertake all the revisions needed to fully engage the writer's intended audience. How do I know? Because that's exactly what Jodi did for me!
Jessie Heninger
Jodi's story overview was so beneficial in helping me see my plot in a birds-eye-view. It gave me a really good idea of what parts of the book needed work, clarification, and strengthening without overwhelming me in the minutiae of the tiny details. If you're looking for someone who will leave no emotional stone unturned, then Jodi is the editor for you. She will dive deep into the interiority of each of your characters, giving you lots of places to mine for depth.