Overview
My process is as collaborative as you are. If you'd like a partner to help you develop plot, character, theme, and language, then edit the results, that's no problem. I'm also happy to simply take what you've written and offer an edit -- anything from a developmental consult to a straightforward copy edit. My priority is to help your prose shine and your ideas make the biggest impact.
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- Steinbeck Fellow in Fiction, San Jose State University, 2006-2007
- Pushcart Prize special mention, 2010
- Hedgebrook Fellow, 2010
- Writing Between the Vines Fellow, 2016
Certifications
- TEFL Certification to teach English as a foreign language (ITC Barcelona, 2003)
Work experience
Joyland Magazine
I select, solicit, and edit short fiction for regionally-curated international literary magazine. I also organize Bay-area literary events and collaborate with local reading series to bring great fiction to a wider readership. Collaboration partners have included City Lights Bookstore, Why There Are Words reading series, and Dog Eared Books.
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
I provide individualized executive coaching for MBA candidates in effective written and oral communication, including building charisma and leadership qualities; storytelling for business; extemporaneous and prepared speaking; presentation skills; active listening; information synthesis; and persuasive and analytical writing.
I also teach weekly workshops on themes in business communication. Recent workshop themes include: Storytelling, Tone Modulation for Difficult Audiences, Building Presence and Charisma, Impromptu Speaking Salon, Prepared Speaking Salon, and Business Writing.
Columbia University
I led second-year medical students in an introductory fiction workshop as part of the Narrative Medicine program. Developed and taught INTRO fiction-writing class to Columbia undergraduates and graduate students.
Kara Levy Editorial + Coaching
I provide developmental editing, editorial consulting, writing coaching, ghost writing, and copy editing for book projects such as doctoral dissertations, business articles, science research papers, memoirs, creative nonfiction, fiction, education, and young-adult fiction.
Private clients include entrepreneurs, fiction writers, academics, memoirists, children's book writers, and developers. 10+ years of experience working for publishing houses such as HarperCollins, Penguin, and Scholastic.