Fiction book editing to
help your words hit home

Looking for a book editor who can help bring your story to the next level?

The editing process begins and ends with your vision. After all, indie authors are the sovereign rulers of their literary kingdoms!

As a lover of stories, I’m excited to read your manuscript. And as a professional fiction editor, I’m ready to help you reveal the best version of your story.

Editing services

  • Developmental Edit

    This is the most in-depth edit. You’ll get big-picture feedback and detailed suggestions to improve your storytelling craft.

  • Manuscript Evaluation

    This is the in-between edit. Get high-level guidance on storytelling areas that need the most attention.

  • Beta Reading

    This is the lightest edit. Brief feedback on the main storytelling elements helps you understand how readers may experience your work.

What is it like to work with me?

“Working with Emily has been, honestly, such a comfort to me as a first-time author. She is so thoughtful in the way she gives feedback that I came out feeling more confident in my writing. She really feels like a partner in the writing process. I can tell she loved my story and my characters, and wanted to help me make my vision for them come to life. Emily is organized, delivered on time, and communicates well. I can't wait to work with her again on my future projects!”

Emma Elizabeth, Fantasy Author

“Emily was thorough and constructive. She offered routes for solution, not just lists of what wasn’t working. She also made sure to highlight things that did work or that she particularly enjoyed. She brought up questions to help me dig deeper and evolve the plot. Further, she was communicative and punctual (two traits many authors complain about in editors). I felt I found a winner right off the bat! I will definitely be using her again for my next manuscript!”

Victoria Brown, Author

“Emily is incredible to work with! Her feedback was detailed, organized, and insightful. She helped me understand what worked in my novel and how to make those elements stronger. Where there were weaknesses in the manuscript, she provided thorough analysis on the issues and concrete advice on how to address them. I came away with a clear vision of how to make my novel the best it can be.

C.N., Fantasy Author

“Emily is a treasure. She practices the art of giving you clear, actionable feedback that will make your book stronger, clearer, and cleaner, while ALSO making you feel seen, appreciated and respected — even if you are a first time author and are making rookie mistakes left, right, and center! I came away inspired and energized to dive into the revisions. All writing is rewriting, as they say. Emily’s feedback and suggestions give you a clear path to the rewriting you need to do.”

Sue Meredith Mann, Historical Fiction/Literary Fiction Author


Emily Dahl
Fiction Book Editor

I’m not your school teacher brandishing a red pen or a literature critic sporting elbow patches.

I’m your collaborator for part of your writing process. I’m someone who says, “Hey, I found something to share with you.” I’m here to help you work through impossible plot holes and imposter syndrome so you can publish a damn good book—with more to come.

Get my newsletter and become a stronger storyteller

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter, DRAFTsmanship, for curated insights from a developmental editor so you can improve your storytelling with each draft.

    I won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.