Donna Janell Bowman – Editor

Hello, fellow writers! Many of my previous clients have signed with agents, landed traditional publishing deals, or self-published with confidence. I love working with novels, picture books, and nonfiction.

When you work with me, you benefit from my MFA in Writing (with a concentration in children’s and young adult literature) from Vermont College of Fine Arts. You also get my insights as a multi-award-winning author of many books, including Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness and Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills. My goal is to help you reach your goal by offering a variety of services:

À LA CARTE CONSULTATIONS ——

If you’re stuck on a story problem or bogged down in a submission, marketing, or query quagmire, I can help. We’ll spend up to an hour on a Zoom or phone call to address your questions and concerns. Optional: I will review up to 2,000 words of your manuscript ahead of our call to familiarize myself with your project(s) and your writing style. This is not an editing session.

EDITORIAL ASSESSMENTS ——

My Editorial Assessment option includes an indepth multi-page overview letter in which I highlight what works well in the manuscript and what needs work. Topics may include story structure, content balance, voice, character development, narrative arc, theme, point of view, and throughlines.

DEVELOPMENT EDITS ——

My Developmental Edit option includes an overview letter, similar to the editorial assessment, plus track change comments and suggestions on the manuscript itself. I often embed mini craft lessons that could benefit all of your projects.

CUSTOMIZED COACHING PLANS ——

Sometimes you need an accountability partner, cheerleader, and writing guru to help you transform your idea into a first draft or your first draft into a polished draft. Customized plans for 1-6 months.

* NOTE: Please no texts generated by or influenced by AI.

Whether you’re looking for one-time feedback or a months-long coaching plan, I’ll be your constructive, cheerleading Yoda. Or, as some of my clients refer to me, your fairy (book)godmother.

____________________________________

PRAISE FROM SELECT EDITING CLIENTS:

“I couldn’t possibly have written my debut picture book, The Youngest Marcher, without Donna’s guidance. Her expertise in structure, voice, plot development and resolution, setting, and character made all the difference. I highly recommend her critique services; they’re worth every penny.” —Cynthia Levinson

“The time and care that Donna took with my recent manuscript were obvious in the spot-on thoughtfulness of her editorial comments. The changes I made in response to her feedback were the ones that got this story over the hump and out on submission." — Chris Barton

"Donna has a knack for getting in there and helping a writer to narrow their focus, to find the core of their story. Recently on a picture book project, when I was stuck on a plot point, Donna offered feedback that helped me to strengthen my story arc while understanding my character’s motivation better." — Don Tate