I started my professional editing career in the early 90s, working for a publisher specializing in textbooks, research journals, and newsletters. In 2012, I received my MFA in creative writing and began teaching fiction and memoir classes. After that, I expanded my editing to include fiction and creative nonfiction. For me, editing is a logical extension of teaching, so it makes sense that my students started referring editing clients to me. I generally fill my editing slots through word-of-mouth referrals but am always happy to hear from new people.
For the past ten years, I have specialized in editing memoir, personal essay, and literary fiction. My “superpower” is helping writers find the heart of their story. I do this by suggesting ways to cut and/or rearrange the parts that slow down narrative tension and momentum. Almost every writer (myself included) can benefit from an editor who can help them “omit needless words” (as Strunk & White exhort us to do in The Elements of Style). Not everyone needs the same thing, so contact me at harrigan.sharon@gmail.com, and we can figure out what will work best for you. Below is a summary of some of my services, as well as a few testimonials.
Services:
Manuscript evaluation
This is a close read, with comments on every page of the text. It also includes a detailed editorial letter that provides an overview of the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses and suggestions for revisions.
Rate: 2 cents/word and up
Comprehensive edit
This includes two passes. The first pass is the manuscript evaluation, as explained above. The second pass is a review of the revised manuscript. This pass addresses big-picture issues, such as plot and structure. It also includes line edits, or suggestions for improvement at the sentence level.
Rate: 5 cents/word and up
Line edit
Every writer can benefit from a line edit, but you might not want this level of edit until you have addressed issues of plot and structure first. Line editing is one of my special talents. By questioning every word in every sentence, I can make your work read faster and shine brighter. Line edits improve clarity and flow and reduce repetition and confusion, while preserving the writer’s voice and intentions.
Rate: 3.5 cents/word and up
Coaching
If you need help finishing a manuscript, I am available for one-to-one consultation via Zoom.
Rate: $100/hour for consultation only; $150 for consultation plus short manuscript review
Rates vary depending on manuscript length and other factors, so contact me at harrigan.sharon@gmail.com for a more precise quote.
Editing Testimonials
“Sharon helped me tremendously with my memoir. Going above and beyond a traditional developmental edit, she took an unwieldy, 120K word manuscript that was all over the place and helped me shape it into a 90K cohesive story that I could submit to literary agents. Not only did I get a literary agent after her help, but I also received a publishing offer. Without Sharon’s insight, keen eye for detail, kind and measured approach to sensitive topics, and talented ability to find the real story in the mire, my memoir would have remained unreadable. I also had the pleasure of attending her workshop on using suspense writing techniques in non-fiction, which I found extremely useful. Sharon is excellent at what she does, is reasonably priced, very well-read, intelligent, and a delight to engage with on all levels. I would 100% work with her again in the future.”
–Kelly Showker, www.KellyShowker.com
“In both her teaching and her editing, Sharon Harrigan has the remarkable capacity to help the writer find her unique story, as well as discover and develop her distinctive writing voice. With her insightful suggestions, Sharon helps the writer find the story’s heart. She is generous with her time and attention to each student/client’s work. I doubt my soon-to-be-published memoir would have been completed, let alone published, without her thoughtful critiques and gentle encouragement.”
–Mary Alice Hostetter, Author of Plain: Memoir of a Mennonite Girlhood, maryalicehostetter.com
“Sharon is a masterful editor. She has given me astute and actionable guidance on my essays, as well as the structure and prose of my next book. She goes above and beyond to be helpful, and I trust her completely to work with me to bring out the best in my work.”
–Andrea Jarrell, Author of the memoir, I’m the One Who Got Away, andrea-jarrell.com
I’ve worked with Sharon on multiple projects and taken several of her classes. She cares deeply about her clients and works hard to understand their stories. Her clear, insightful, and helpful feedback has led to several publications. I would recommend Sharon to even the most experienced writers.”
–Lisa Cooper Ellison, lisacooperellison.com
“A shrewd reader and gifted editor, Sharon has the ability to get to the heart of what is working or standing in the way of a narrative. I also found Sharon highly attuned to my intentions as a writer, asking careful questions before reading. She wanted to understand my goals and aspirations for what style and genre of book I was writing before giving her feedback. After her sensitive edits, I finally got my manuscript submission-ready and signed with an agent! I highly recommend working with Sharon. The investment of working with her really pays off.”
–Angel Gunn, angelsandsgunn.com
“Sharon Harrigan is a terrific editor. She’s helped me with a nonfiction book and at least two novels, and for each project her feedback is clear and insightful, supportive and honest. Her comments get to the heart of what a piece is about, ranging from tone to plot. She is skillful at spotting both big picture issues and smaller details that help bring the piece alive. Sharon’s feedback does what every good editor’s should do—turbo-charge the writer’s enthusiasm for revision, and raise the work to its highest level.”
–Pat Dobie, Author of A Writer’s Roadmap, lucidedit.com
Teaching Evaluations (a representative, unedited sample of anonymous responses):
What would you say about the class to a friend? Would you recommend it? If not, why?
“Yes, I would recommend it very highly to anyone who wants to write a book-length memoir.”
“I would say this class changed my life and was incredible. I would say I highly recommend it and take it if you’re really ready to write your story.”
“It was great. I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without it. Journeying with a mentor like Sharon and my fellow writers is priceless.”
“This class is transformational. You not only learned a ton about writing, but it is great to be in a community of writers to give you the support you need to get your book moving.”
“I would say it’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself—that having a class, a process, a schedule has brought me to be able to tackle the story, unearth the memories, start to learn and heal what I need to from this part of my life.”
Please describe your experience with the instructor. What did he/she do well? In what areas could he/she improve?
“Sharon is wonderful—helpful, constructive, kind; she meets each of us where we are and helps us progress. Classes were beautifully orchestrated—perfect balance between workshop, in-class writing, and craft discussion.”
“Sharon was an excellent instructor. She was a great leader, had a well thought out syllabus, was very accessible and so interested in her students’ success.”
“Sharon was great, encouraging, provides a good environment to learn and able to teach by showing with examples, explaining, and choosing good books to complement our learning.”
“Sharon is a fantastic teacher. She is very thoughtful and thorough. I didn’t feel like there was ever a wasted minute in the class. It was a highlight of my week all year long.”
“Sharon’s great in so many ways, especially in helping the group workshop sensitively and effectively—so important! Great sense of humor, on-the-spot creative, listens deeply, responds deeply.”
“Outstanding class by an excellent teacher. Highly recommend. Also, being in a group of writers for a year was a great experience.”
“Superb teacher. She led the class gently, respectfully, but also clearly taking charge.”