Julia Drake

Julia Drake - Editor

Philadelphia, PA, USA

7+ years experience teaching writing and editing client manuscripts. I'm also the author of the YA novel THE LAST TRUE POETS OF THE SEA.

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Overview


I have over seven years of experience teaching writing and editing client manuscripts.

Mostly recently I taught fiction writing at Blue Stoop, a writing organization in Philadelphia. I have also worked as a Book Coach for Author Accelerator and as a freelance editor for writers who have gone on to publish work with Big Five publishers as well as literary magazines such as Zyzzvya and Artsy.

I received my MFA from Columbia University, where I also taught writing to first year students. In each project I approach, I consider how the big picture and details are working together to create a cohesive and compelling story. A client writes, "Julia Drake helped me find the soul of my book. Her feedback was compassionate yet rigorous and, most generously, she taught me how to teach myself.”

I'm also the author of young adult novel THE LAST TRUE POETS OF THE SEA, which won the 2020 New England Book Award for YA Literature. My short fiction has appeared in The Gettysburg Review and Esopus. My second novel is forthcoming from LBFYR in 2023. As an active writer, I have a strong understanding of publishing and the market.

I'd love to work with you on your young adult novel, your literary fiction novel, or your memoir.



Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Coming of Age
Contemporary Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction
Literary Fiction
Short Story
Young Adult

Certifications

  • MFA in Fiction Writing from Columbia University

Awards

  • 2020 New England Book Award in Young Adult Literature
  • Joan F. Kaywell Books Save Lives Award
  • Six starred reviews

Work experience

Creative Writing Instructor

Blue Stoop
July, 2021 – July, 2021 (less than a minute)

Book Coach

Author Accelerator
May, 2018 – May, 2019 (about 1 year)

Freelance Editor

Self-employed
January, 2018 – Present (about 5 years)

I've worked as a freelance editor to help clients develop and polish their manuscripts.

Portfolio (5 selected works)

Julia has 1 review

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Drew Rossi
Julia's work far exceeded the expectations I had for our collaboration. Julia immediately expressed genuine interest in my project. It's clear she put a significant amount of time into reading my manuscript and crafting a feedback letter for me. The feedback letter she prepared was specific to my work and contained many great suggestions. I appreciate the way Julia presented her feedback; she p...
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Drew Rossi, November 2022

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