Mary Novak

Mary Novak – Editor

Developmental editor in spaces where fantasy and romance overlap: paranormal romance, fairytale retellings, historical fantasy

Overview

I'm a passionate editor of genre fiction. You can count on me to take your light entertainment very seriously.

The developmental edits you'll receive from me come in three parts. First, I'll attach hundreds of comments to your story calling attention to each specific issue I find. I will also send you a detailed editorial letter that discusses your story's quality and flow on a more holistic level. My critique style is honest and kind. You'll get direct feedback and actionable suggestions that will leave you feeling energized and excited to dive into your revisions.

After you've had time to digest my written feedback I include some consultation time as the final part of my editing package. We'll set up a time to chat about your story in light of my feedback. This friendly, light discussion often proves invaluable in generating concrete solutions to the most challenging problems in the story. I find that when we bring together our two minds, both wanting the absolute best for your story, the results can be miraculous.

Services
Fiction
Dark Romance Epic Fantasy Historical Mysteries Humor & Comedy Romantic Comedy Romantic Fantasy Urban Fantasy Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2015 — Present
I'm a freelance developmental editor. I have worked in many genres, but most of my work comes from YA fantasy romance and urban fantasy.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
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Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Developmental Editing
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Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
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Breaking Destiny

Walters, Mitty

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Unwanted (Emergence)

Walker, Catherine M.

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Agent Lydia Standish and Agent Thomas Gantreau from the Bureau of Magic & Oddities are investigating the cause of an MME (Major Magical Event) at the Black Rock Research and Development facili... read more
Developmental Editing Book Coaching

Mary has 22 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jessica B.

Jessica B.

Dec, 2025

Mary’s developmental assessment of my manuscript delivered exactly what my story needed. She dove into my world with genuine care and gave thoughtful, thorough feedback that helped me tighten my plot, deepen my characters, and clarify my magic system. Every note felt purposeful. She highlighted w...
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David G.

David G.

Nov, 2025

Working with M. Novak was a dream come true! She completed the work quickly and provided invaluable feedback for my project. It would absolutely not be the same without her. She provided a lot of help, and having a video chat after I read through her review notes helped me to get all the answers ...
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Quinton S. M.

Quinton S. M.

Oct, 2025

Working with Mary was everything I had hoped for in my first experience writing a book and collaborating with a developmental editor. She was thorough in her process, respectful in her critiques, and always professional in her communication. Mary was upfront when my project took longer than expe...
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Rebecca B.

Rebecca B.

Oct, 2025

She pointed out what was already working while giving me clear direction on how to strengthen the story further. Her encouragement made me feel like I truly deserved to keep going. That kind of confidence boost is priceless. She approached my world and characters with curiosity and respect, and I...
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Adam G.

Adam G.

Sep, 2025

Mary delivered an extremely thorough and professional edit of my manuscript. She provided detailed in-text comments as well as a thoughtful editorial letter. Her insights challenged me to think more critically about character agency, transformation, and story structure. I may not apply every sugg...
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