“Editing is a dialogue, not a monologue.”
–Susan Bell, The Artful Edit
Editing Services
Starting a memoir? A children’s picture book? Stuck in an essay, a short story, a novel? Polishing for publication? Whether you’re a novice or an expert, I can help.
With over fifteen years of experience, I’ve worked with a wide range of writers from development to line editing. All my projects are different, but I feel privileged to work on them all.
As a writer myself, I know how vulnerable you may feel. I treat my writers as I like to be treated — with honesty, respect, and compassion. Whatever your manuscript requires, I’ll help you get to the heart of what you need to say.
So let’s get a dialogue started.
Please email me at writer@wesolowska.com to find out about rates and availability.
Testimonials
“My early efforts at writing a book did not produce anything readers would want to read. I was about to give up when I met Monica. She praised my strengths where she could find them, but more importantly she critiqued my many weaknesses. And then, I don’t know how she did it, she tempered my intemperate protests. I’m so proud of what I have accomplished – thanks to you Monica.” — Jay Koppleman, author of Identicality
“It can be challenging to find an editor who is not only talented, but someone you can trust to provide honest, useful feedback. Monica is that rare sort of person. The care and attention she gives to your work, her evident passion for good storytelling and her expertise in developmental edits have proven absolutely invaluable to me. She has guided me through two novels so far, and I will be engaging her for my third. I wholeheartedly recommend Monica to writers at any level.” —Adrien Aster, author of Loving R-thur: A Dystopian Sci-fi Thriller
Monica Wesolowska came with high praise. While I didn’t know if her editing would get me a book deal, I believed her insight could help me with my narrative arc. After our first rounds of edits, I wasn't so sure. In her editorial notes, she wrote: Don’t give the whole story away in the first chapter. She moved scenes and pointed out where I needed to build or add dialogue, teaching me how to improve my own writing. Although I had no idea publishing a manuscript would be so challenging, because of her, I ended up getting not one, but two offers from publishers. I tell everyone about Monica Wesolowska. She was worth every penny I spent. I’m a fan for life. —Cathy Shields, author of The Shape of Normal: A Memoir of Motherhood, Disability, and Embracing a Different Kind of Perfect
"Monica has been reading and editing my work for 14 years. She has read my stories, essays, and novel. I trust her more than I trust most readers, if not all. Her capacity to perceive the writer's intent; to identify with precision where a piece succeeds and where it fails,; to suggest cuts and expansions that elevate prose and its concepts; and to express not only her understanding of complex emotional territory but also the fine points of craft make her one of the best editors I know. She is big-hearted and compassionate. She is unafraid of truth. She speaks eloquently about craft. She is a broad reader and a writer's writer, and she tells it to you straight. That's what I want, in an editor, a fellow writer, and a friend." — Jenny Prichett, (aka Jenny True) columnist and author of You Look Tired: An Excruciatingly Honest Guide to New Parenthood
“I first met Monica five years ago, when she edited my early, clumsy attempts at memoir-writing. I was immediately struck by her pertinent questions that helped me grow as a writer and find my way. She understood the emotional timber of my work-in-progress and gave me the encouragement and support I needed to revise and complete my memoir. This fall, I reconnected with Monica when I enrolled in her “Advanced Memoir Writing Workshop.” And again, I sing her praises! I feel so privileged to be under her tutelage. I would highly recommend her!”— Mona Hajjar Halaby, author of In My Mother’s Footsteps: A Palestinian Refugee Returns Home
“I was introduced to Monica while in the process of writing my own memoir. I had already worked with a content editor for several years, but was looking for someone to help put the finishing touches on my story. She did that and so much more. Monica’s own personal experience with loss and grief spoke to me and we immediately fell into a comfortable working groove. She very quickly drew the story behind my story out with subtle urging and more direct questions and reflections when required. She pared my pages and pages of words down into the slim, hard hitting, emotional confession I had never imagined. I would recommend Monica, not just to memoirists, but to anyone wanting to convert words into a beautiful art.” — Darin Dixon, author of Broken Road: A Widower’s Journey
"Monica Wesolowska is a gifted and compassionate editor and writing coach. She has worked with me on several short stories both in a group setting and one-on-one, and on every occasion she has pushed, prodded and inspired me. Under her tutelage I was successful in getting work published, much to my delight. She is a wonderful teacher, rigorous and thorough while maintaining a supportive and friendly atmosphere. I heartily recommend her." — Larry Hendel, short story writer
"Monica's writing workshops and editing services are superb. Her one-on-one writing sessions offer a space of clarity where the ideas behind my essays are refined. Working with her, I have learned the mechanics of writing well, as well as the beauty of revision, and how the revision process casts our essays in a new light. I've gone on to publish several essays. I highly recommend her services." — Juli Fraga, essayist
“Most importantly, Monica asked me the right questions, so that I could finish the story and publish it.” — Stefanie Olsen, writer and journalist