Amanda Lewis

My approach

I’m a developmental editor, publishing strategist, and creative coach who works with independent writers and open-hearted entrepreneurs in Canada and around the world.

I specialize in memoirs and business books.

Learn more about me.

If you’re interested in working together, please check out my blog or LinkedIn for a sense of my style, and swing by my guiding principles for insight into how I structure my business.

I use a mixture of intuition and business savvy when coaching writers, honed over fifteen years working in house as an editor and editorial director.

If you’re curious if we’d be a good fit, drop me a line and we can set up a free 15-minute call.

I believe in writers’ abilities to self-edit, and to make informed choices about their publishing strategies—what I call creative autonomy.

My sweet spot is helping writers sort through their ideas so they can start writing.

I apply a decolonial, anti-racist lens to working with writers (many thanks to this book), and believe in varied approaches to publishing that go beyond the traditional “gatekeeper” model.

“Writing and publishing are two very different things… The only thing you can control is how you write and how hard you work.”

Roxane Gay

Interested in working together? Here are my offerings.

BEGIN: Guided coaching to figure out your book idea and start your draft.

Nonfiction writers only. No manuscript needed.

DEVELOP: Coaching while you write your first draft.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. No manuscript needed.

REVIEW: A full consultation for your manuscript.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. Manuscript needed.

ASSIST: Support when you’re addressing feedback.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. Manuscript needed.

EDIT: Two full rounds of substantive and line editing.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. Manuscript needed.

PUBLISH: A consultation to help you position your book.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. No manuscript needed.

Please read through all the options and FAQ to figure out the best plan for you depending on where you are in your writing journey.

Curious about which option is right for you? Book a free 15-minute discovery call.

BEGIN: One-on-one coaching to figure out your book idea and start your draft.

Nonfiction writers only. No manuscript needed.

We’ll co-create your book idea and build a plan for writing.

What’s included:

• three one-hour Zoom sessions (recorded)
• take-home resources on writing and publishing
• a customized plan to fit writing into your existing offerings and your life

You set the frequency: weekly, monthly, or all in one day.

CDN $990 + tax | US and international $750

Any reading will be billed in addition, at a project rate.

DEVELOP: One-on-one coaching while you write your first draft.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. No manuscript needed.

Great for building accountability, overcoming blocks, and solving problems as they arise.

When to choose two sessions: You’d like initial support to figure out your current writing blocks or market positioning, and you need a follow-up call to build accountability as you start or revise your manuscript.

When to choose six sessions: You need ongoing support as you develop your manuscript.

What’s included:

• two or six one-hour Zoom sessions (recorded)

You set the frequency (writers tend to choose one hour/month).

2 pack CDN $560 + tax | US and international $420

6 pack CDN $1,500 + tax | US and international $1,200

Any reading will be billed in addition, at a project rate.

REVIEW: A full consultation for your manuscript.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. Manuscript needed.

A quick and effective way to determine what’s working about a manuscript, plan revisions, and determine publishing potential.

What’s included:

• a full review of your manuscript
• a memo (about 5 pages) to articulate the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses
• two hour-long Zoom calls (recorded) to first discuss the memo and then check in on revisions

My most popular offering, and especially useful for memoirs and business books. Read testimonials here.

Starts at CDN $1,600 + tax for 30,000 words | US and international $1,250

Option to add on support for your query letter or book proposal (project rate).

ASSIST: Support when you’re addressing feedback.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. Manuscript needed.

Sharing your manuscript with others is an essential stage of improving it. But how do you know which advice to take, and which to discard? How can you apply the suggested revisions to your manuscript without leaving it looking like Swiss cheese? I’ll support you as you review suggestions from beta readers and agents/publishers, advise on which changes to implement and which to discard, and build a plan for revision.

What’s included:

• one full manuscript review
• review of suggested revisions
• one follow-up Zoom call (recorded)

Starts at CDN $1,830 + tax for 30,000 words | US and international $1,400

Option to add on support for your query letter or book proposal (project rate).

EDIT: Two full rounds of substantive and line editing.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. Manuscript needed.

I’ll do a complete overhaul of your manuscript so it’s ready for the next stage of your publishing plan. My work consists of two rounds of editing, from big picture to micro edits.

What’s included:

• for Round 1 (big picture), I read the manuscript and write a detailed memo with questions and suggestions to guide you in your revisions. I might also mark up the manuscript with comments to show where changes could be made to improve issues affecting pace, argument, characterization, or structure.
• for Round 2 (micro edit), I do a complete substantive and line edit of your revised manuscript.
• one Zoom call per month between Rounds 1 and 2 (one hour each, max 12 calls per package).
• title and subtitle brainstorming.
• discussion of market positioning.

My most substantial offering. Read testimonials here.

Cost: Starts at CDN $7,500 + tax | US and international $5,600

Option to add on support for your query letter or book proposal (project rate).

Option to add on additional reviews of the manuscript (project rate).

PUBLISH: A consultation to help you position your book.

Fiction and nonfiction writers. No manuscript needed.

I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each publishing model (traditional, hybrid, or self-publishing), tell you what you can expect from the process, and build a customized publishing plan. You can pitch me on your idea and get immediate feedback on its market potential and literary strength. This call is a fast way to learn about the publishing landscape and test your writing idea with an editor who has worked in acquisitions at Penguin Random House (traditional publisher), was inaugural editorial director at Page Two (hybrid publisher), and regularly works with self-published writers. Pitch me!

What’s included:

• a one-hour Zoom call (recorded) to discuss your options, from self-publishing to hybrid and traditional models
• a customized publishing plan

Cost: CDN $230 + tax | US and international $190

FAQ

Can I combine service offerings?

Absolutely, and many of my clients choose several options. Here are popular combos:

• BEGIN + DEVELOP
• REVIEW + DEVELOP
• PUBLISHING PLAN + BEGIN + DEVELOP + REVIEW
• REVIEW + EDIT
• EDIT + ASSIST

Do you offer BEGIN for fiction writers?

No, it’s only for nonfiction writers. An initial PUBLISH consultation call might be the best option for you (cheaper and faster too).

Can I renew the DEVELOP coaching offering?

Yes! You can sign up for an additional round of two or six coaching calls whenever you’d like. I don’t offer individual coaching calls, outside of the PUBLISH consultation.

Do you work with essayists and magazine writers, or only book writers?

I work with anyone doing longform writing, which includes books, articles, essays, and newsletters. I have experience crafting narratives for print, digital, and audio formats. I often support writers with individual essays, and I charge a project rate per essay review or edit.

Do you work with fiction writers?

I do! The novels I’ve edited have been nominated for awards including the Scotiabank Giller Prize. I’m selective about the fiction I take on, preferring voice-driven and “quirky” literary fiction. I don’t edit suspense, thriller, mystery, western, romance, historical fiction, kids’, YA, or poetry (my loss, truly). Please review the books on my homepage for a sense of the fiction I’ve edited.

Do you make connections to agents, editors, or publishers on behalf of clients?

No.

Do you work on an hourly rate?

Rarely. Sometimes I make exceptions, but I prefer the flexibility of a project rate. Also, setting a project rate makes it easier for the writer to forecast the cost.

Do you offer gift certificates?

I sure do! A package of coaching calls is a wonderful gift for the writer in your life. Drop me a line to set it up.