Brianna McCabe

Brianna McCabe – Editor

Editor/coach with 18+ years of finding the essence a story or idea and then removing the clutter. 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 and not 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 or not resonating. 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/editing sessions (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 do editorial assessments, developmental editing, and book coaching.


RATES/DETAILS:


Coaching for the book:

-We'll meet for at least 4 sessions to help you pursue your book goals

-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 .015 cents/word)

-Our 1-hour zoom sessions will include big-picture editorial feedback on the submitted material, moving through resistance, and planning next steps

-Please note: book coaching does not include any written feedback

-$150/session (min. of 4 sessions)


Coaching for the writer:

-Most people focus on the outer aspects of writing a book and forget the inner then folks wonder why the book is floundering!

-Our 1-hour zoom sessions help you find a more courageous and settled writing practice and a true-to-you publishing experience

-You'll access your own writing wisdom/intuition, move through resistance, and put your work in motion

-$110/session (min. of 2 sessions)


Editorial assessment (as soon as you have at least half of your first draft completed):

-Great option for people on a tighter budget or at the very early stages wanting to see if they have a viable book idea

-I provide a detailed editorial letter with developmental editing suggestions/recommendations for improving the manuscript

-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 editorial suggestions

-Pricing: .025 cents/word


Developmental editing (after you've written most or all of your first draft):

-Includes everything that is part of an editorial assessment, plus extensive sidebar comments in your manuscript document to help illustrate the developmental editing feedback

-Pricing: .035 cents/word

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

Brianna has 22 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Rebecca F.

Rebecca F.

Oct, 2024

Brianna was a dream to work with - she completely engaged with my book, "3000 Orgasms," and helped me to feel confident in my work. She is an exceptional developmental editor and immediately grasped the heart of the story, helping me refine the narrative arc while enhancing emotional depth without compromising my voice. Brianna’s attention to detail, thoughtful suggestions, and clear communicat...
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Therese W.

Therese W.

Oct, 2024

Thank you, Brianna, for sharing your expertise in such an insightful, professional and encouraging manner. Your objective focus on character and narrative arc development was invaluable. You clearly understood that I was handing my soul to you when I submitted my non-fiction book. Your style of giving crucial, timely feedback, with care, was greatly appreciated.
Anthony M.

Anthony M.

Jun, 2024

Brianna was amazing. There's an ineffable quality to her feedback that I'm still processing, but practically, she understood the core idea of the book and helped me see where it's not resonating. She highlighted key issues at the level of structure and helped me see where people are highly likely to get lost. Also, she came up with a way better title than I had and suggested research materia...
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Michael R.

Michael R.

Jun, 2024

Brianna did exactly what she said she would do. She offered a lot of insight into how I could focus my book into a simple thesis statement, how to add more personal stories so the readers could relate to me as a real person just like them, as well as other helpful insights. I think I will be doing a significant amount of work and improvement on my manuscript because of her numerous and thoughtf...
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Angela M.

Angela M.

Jun, 2024

I can't say enough wonderful things about working with Brianna. I felt lost, overwhelmed and uncertain about writing my first book. I had already written a lot but felt loss and in need of feedback and support to help me understand if I was on the right track. Brianna was amazing. She helped me decide what she thought would be helpful. I submitted my manuscript, and she provided me with an amaz...
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