G. Elizabeth Kretchmer – Editor

Words matter! Whether your goal is to entertain, educate, or enlighten, I'm passionate about helping writers like you craft their messages.

I know it can be hard to figure out who will best serve your needs. It’s an important decision, and the relationship you have with your editor will be critical not only to how successful your project ultimately becomes but also how you feel about the process. Depending on the scope of editorial work you’re looking for, you could be looking at spending weeks, months, or even years together! So it’s not just words that matter; people matter too.

As a published writer, experienced editor, and compassionate coach, I can help you move forward toward your goals.

· I have written fiction and nonfiction, which has been published through a variety of venues ranging from The New York Times to the self-published marketplace.

· My editorial and coaching clients include novelists, memoirists, and a variety of professionals in fields ranging from business to politics to New Age self-help.

· I have a Master of Fine Arts degree in Fiction from Pacific University and a Certificate in Editing from the University of Washington.

I’m also a facilitator of wellness writing workshops—and a former CPA! All this experience means I am insightful, creative, and analytical: a perfect combination of skills for you.

I specialize in manuscript evaluation and developmental editing, which means I focus on those big picture, but sometimes elusive, considerations that include structure, theme, voice, and pacing. For memoirs and novels, this work would also address scene and character development, setting, dialogue, and more. I also offer line editing to help you trim wordiness and redundancy, smooth awkward sentences, and otherwise polish your words so they really shine. My coaching work varies, depending on whatever the project calls for—and whatever the writer needs, whether it’s advice on structure and content, a refresher on how to use literary elements effectively, or accountability to get the work done.

Because the author-editor relationship is so important, I suggest kicking off large projects with a Zoom meeting. This gives my clients the chance to share a little more with me about their goals, vision, and anticipated target audience in their authentic voices. It also gives them a chance to express their concerns about the editorial process and to ask me whatever questions they might have about how I work.

I love my work, but when I’m not writing or editing, I’m out and about in the phenomenal Pacific Northwest or snuggled by the fire with a good book and my three pets. I read literary, historical, and women’s fiction for pleasure, and I also enjoy listening to memoirs and nonfiction works about nature, interesting people, or the many complexities of our society.

Are you ready to get going? I look forward to hearing from, and working with, you!