Holly Welker – Editor

I have an MFA and a PhD in literary nonfiction (memoir, essay, autobiography) from the University of Iowa. If you want to write a memoir, I will help you do it. If you've written a memoir, I will help you make it better.

I spent more than three decades studying and teaching literature at the college level. I'm automatically attentive to the traditional elements of good literature, including character development, plot, pacing, dramatic tension, scene, dialogue, etc., but I'm also not put off by unusual or experimental approaches. I have an excellent command of the basics of good prose (and poetry), and can quickly assess a work's strengths and weaknesses on the sentence, paragraph, chapter, and manuscript level.

I like to work collaboratively and check in frequently with writers, so that I know I'm providing feedback that makes sense to clients and actually helps them improve their work. I am candid, thorough, and tactful when offering criticism, especially when something needs revision. I figure writers would rather hear from me when something isn't working, while they still have the option to fix it, instead reading about it over and over in one-star reviews on Amazon or elsewhere.

I know what it takes to produce publishable work: I’ve published poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, opinion, journalism, book reviews, blog posts, and scholarly essays in a variety of venues, including "Best American Essays," "The Iowa Review," the "New York Times" Modern Love column, "Slate," "TriQuarterly," etc. I offer coaching, developmental editing, and copyediting in all those genres.

I've helped people who don't consider themselves writers produce work that nonetheless passes academic peer review. The editor who oversaw the publication of my books at a university press told me, "Your manuscripts were easily the cleanest that I’ve ever worked on."

I'm always delighted to work on a book about a topic a bit outside my comfort zone, but I'm especially interested in projects dealing with family relationships, trauma and recovery, illness, caregiving, history, politics, and religion. Although I left the faith of my childhood, I remain interested in religion and both the good and the harm it can do. I’ve helped those who no longer believe write about a loss of faith and helped those who remain committed to their faith articulate why they believe and how faith helps them. In other words, I'll use all my insight to make sure YOU write the book you want to write.

I spent the better part of a decade caring for my father and allowing him to remain in his home as he developed dementia. I spent COVID lockdown with someone who did not and could not understand why he could not go anywhere. He died at home of Alzheimer’s in May 2023. I'm passionate about meeting the needs of elders and supporting those who care for them.

I'm an Arizona native and love the beauty of the desert. I also love gardening and textiles.