Brianna McCabe

Brianna McCabe – Editor

Editor/coach with 18+ years of finding a book's essence and removing the clutter and confusion. I specialize in transformative nonfiction.

Overview

Hello! I’m Brianna. I’m a coach and editor, and I love helping my clients write and finish their book, identify the essence of their book, and filter and shape that essence with clarity and personality. And no surprise, this makes for powerful books that people actually want to read!

I work at the earlier stages of editing when all the big questions are being addressed—what is my book really about and who is my ideal reader and how will it help or impact them?

My editing superpower is my ability to read your manuscript (and read between the lines of what you’re saying) to find the potent and essential aspects of your book and what your book is trying to do/solve/shift for the reader and where your book is missing the mark. Then I share that vision with you in my feedback and provide my method for re-structuring or re-focusing your book accordingly.

I do this “essence-finding” or “thesis-finding” in all my editing services—editorial assessments, developmental editing, and coaching (I don't copyedit or proofread).

I work on essay collections, memoirs, and nonfiction that engages topics of personal transformation, mindfulness, and spirituality. I also love writing that has a sense of humor and playfulness. I also specialize in poetry manuscripts and hybrid nonfiction/poetry manuscripts.

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RATES/DETAILS

BOOK COACHING:

-Book coaching can help you pursue your book goals and provide ongoing accountability and support

-You'll send me up to 5,000 words at least 48 hours prior to each session (if you want to send me more than 5,000 words, I charge an additional .025 cents/word)

-Our 1-hour zoom sessions will include discussion of your writing process, editorial feedback/discussion on the submitted material, and planning next steps

-You'll get a copy of your pages with some light editorial comments and a recording and transcript of the session

-$200/session

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EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT (when you have at least half of your first draft completed):

-I provide an editorial report detailing the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript and ways to take it to the next level. I'll address big-picture issues with the overall thesis, pacing/flow, structure/organization, logic, voice/tone, accuracy/clarity

-We’ll meet for a 1.5-hour zoom call to discuss your manuscript and my suggestions

-Pricing: .025 cents/word + flat fee for shorter manuscripts

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DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING (after you've written most or all of your first draft):

-I provide an editorial report detailing the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript and ways to take it to the next level. I'll address big-picture issues with the overall thesis, pacing/flow, structure/organization, logic, voice/tone, accuracy/clarity

-I'll make extensive margin notes in your manuscript to help illustrate the developmental editing feedback (average of 1 note/page)

-We’ll meet for a 1.5-hour zoom call to discuss your manuscript and my suggestions

-We'll meet for a 45-minute zoom call to discuss your revisions and next steps

-Pricing: .04 cents/word + flat fee for shorter manuscripts

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing LGBTQ Non-Fiction New Age Psychology Religion & Spirituality Self-Help & Self-Improvement Writing & Publishing
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Magazine I edited was awarded a Notable Special Issue by The Best American Essays 2017 anthology.
Certifications
  • M.A. English literature
  • B.A. English literature
  • Graduate of Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach Training
  • Graduate of Center for Action and Contemplation's Living School

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 2010 — Present
I edit nonfiction manuscripts and provide developmental editing and editorial assessments and partner with my clients in clarifying their editing needs and the overall objective and goals for their manuscript. I am also a book coach and work with clients in one-on-one sessions to help them achieve their writing goals (start a book, finish a book, apply developmental editing feedback, implement marketing/publicity for a book, etc). I have led writing retreats and workshops and spoken on writing and editing panels at a variety of colleges and writing conferences.

Ruminate Magazine

Apr, 2006 — Jan, 2020 (almost 14 years)
I led and supervised a 10-person staff for Ruminate, an award-winning print and online literary magazine. I led thematic content decisions for print issues and wrote and edited content including a quarterly magazine column, blog posts, marketing campaigns, and donor campaigns; evaluated author submissions in nonfiction, fiction, and poetry and provided developmental editing and line editing feedback to writers; proofread all final copy and approved magazine layout; supervised art editor, graphic designer, and online photo curator to achieve consistent aesthetic; supervised interviews, hiring, and onboarding of staff; executed the development and implementation of the magazine’s production calendar; oversaw annual budget and served as liaison to the board of directors and oversaw legal issues related to publication (copyright registrations, releases, permissions, etc.); oversaw the publication’s editorial and production policies and procedures; supervised social media campaigns and fundraising events and acted as spokesperson at internal and external events

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
The Child I Left Behind: A Mother's Journey Toward Healing & Forgiveness

McGoldrick, Anjalia

Anjalia Productions, LLC

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Made with Reedsy
Bipolar, A Gift of Thorns

Zurawski, Dale

Book Coaching
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Our Guiding Light: Wisdom from the Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter

Langer Woelfel, Therese

Therese Langer Woelfel

Developmental Editing
Book Coaching
Made with Reedsy
The Inner Race: Pursuing Your Potential at the Crossroads of Midlife

Lazarus, Natalia

Lazarus Wellness

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
CFS, My Invisible Companion - How to Live and Deal with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Eggers, Theresia

White Falcon Publishing

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Changing the Story: Navigating Anxiety in Relationships

Sembeba, Samson

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Editorial Assessment
Sky Mesa Journal

Dupree, Judith Deem

Editorial Assessment

Brianna has 31 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Urala P.

Urala P.

Nov, 2025

I loved working with Brianna. She did an extraordinary job with giving very on point feedback that would truly take my book to the next level. Both the report she provided and her comments on the manuscript was very well thought and reflective. I ended up integrating almost all her comments and r...
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Anthony L.

Anthony L.

Nov, 2025

Brianna was very supportive and understanding of a new writer. She offered a 30 minute live session to discuss the work and see if we would work together well. She pointed out lots of items of consideration that I had not thought about. I would of liked a little more discussion about the market...
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Brooke R.

Brooke R.

Oct, 2025

After Brianna and I worked together for my development edit, I opted to schedule a book coaching session because I found her feedback to be so valuable. It did not disappoint and after making the updates I sent my manuscript to the copyedit process. I would certain work with Brianna again as I fo...
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Brooke R.

Brooke R.

Jul, 2025

Brianna's response to my request was the first indication of her level of professionalism and experience. She suggested that due to where I was in my writing process (I had completed a manuscript), I would likely benefit from a developmental edit. I was entirely new to this process so it was extr...
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Sue G.

Sue G.

Jul, 2025

Working with Brianna has been an absolute joy. She helped me see what my first book actually is—not what the industry might try to shape it into. There was no cookie-cutter lens, no pressure to make it fit a mold. She just got it. Even when my writing went off the traditional path, she rolled wit...
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