Selena James – Editor

You’ve done the hard part: you wrote a book. Now you’re asking the harder questions. Is it working? What’s missing? Why does something still feel off, even if you can’t quite name it?

That’s exactly where I come in.

I’m a developmental editor with more than two decades of experience in traditional and digital publishing, working with authors at many stages of their careers, from early milestones to bestselling and award-winning publication. I specialize in romance, women’s fiction, book club fiction, and African American fiction, with additional experience across commercial fiction.

My job is to read your manuscript the way your ideal reader would—and then help you understand what’s landing and where there’s room to go further. I look at the big picture first: Is the story structure holding up? Do your characters earn their emotional moments? Is the pacing pulling readers forward, or losing them? Are the stakes clear enough that readers feel invested? And throughout all of it: are all of those elements working together to support the story you want to tell?

I don’t rewrite your book. I help you see your manuscript more clearly, so you can approach revision with clarity and confidence.

Over the course of my publishing career, I’ve worked with Fredrik Backman, Sally Hepworth, Elin Hilderbrand, Joe Hill, and many others. Recent projects include PLEASE DON’T LIE by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt, THE LAST FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE by Lisa Wingate, LEAVE IT UP TO LOVE by Kristy Woodson Harvey, and EVERYBODY’S FAVORITE GUY by Katherine Center. Books I’ve worked on have landed on the Amazon Charts bestseller list, won Audie and ITW Thriller Awards, and been featured in The Best American series.

WHAT YOU’LL RECEIVE

Working with me isn’t just a list of problems to fix—it’s a clear, practical path forward. Here’s what you’ll get with a developmental edit:

* An editorial letter that starts with what’s already working—because every manuscript has strengths to build on—and then walks through the opportunities to make your manuscript stronger

* Notes directly in your manuscript, tied to specific scenes and moments so you can see exactly what I’m responding to

* A revision roadmap so you know where to focus your energy and in what order

* An optional follow-up call if you’d like to discuss ideas, possibilities, or questions that come up as you review the feedback

* An optional follow-up review of your revised manuscript to assess how the revision is coming together and share any final high-level observations, as appropriate

OTHER SERVICES

* Editorial Assessment – A high-level evaluation of your manuscript’s strengths and key areas for revision, without line-level notes—a useful starting point if you want a clear picture before committing to a full edit

* Manuscript Strategy Session – A focused conversation about your project, your goals, and what to tackle next

Not sure what your manuscript needs? Send me a message.