Editing Services
“It’s the most complex and astonishing thing there is, that there’s a world inside each of us.”
— Laini Taylor, Strange the Dreamer
About
Hi!
I’m Shirsten Shirts. I LOVE storytelling, whether that means getting lost in my own imagination or the worlds others have created.
I studied writing and literature and have worked as an editor on and off over the last 12 years, focusing mostly on nonfiction, educational courses, articles, and websites. Recently, however, I narrowed my scope down to fiction—my one true love.
I have a passion for breaking down the craft of writing and storytelling to better understand what makes a story work and how to make it better.
I live in a 111-year-old cottage with my 3 girls, 2 dogs, and 1 husband.
I love passionate romance, whimsical fantasy, unbreakable relationships of any kind, and stories that make me feel like I’m getting a peek into someone’s heart.
Are we a good fit?
A great way to see if you think we might be a good fit to work together is to spend a little time on Project Published. On the blog, you’ll get a sense of the stories I love and my approach storytelling from a more analytical standpoint.
With that said, if you have a story you want to share, I would love to hear from you!
I’m an especially good fit for middle grade or YA of any genre, and for select adult fiction, including fantasy, historical fiction, romance, upmarket, contemporary, and women’s fiction.
Services
My goal is to help you start your book with a bang.
Beginnings are often the trickiest part. There are so many moving pieces that work together to draw the reader in from the very first page and to keep the momentum going as your story starts to build.
Your beginning needs to be strong enough to hook everyone from an agent to the casual bookstore browser, and I love looking for and drawing out the excitement, the emotionality, and the promise that will make your story un-put-downable.
Hook Your Reader: First 10,000 Words
$150
In-line comments
Short edit letter
BONUS
20-minute video call to discuss edits and any questions
Ready to get started?
Here’s what the process looks like:
Step 1: Fill out the contact form below.
Step 2: I’ll reply back within 1-2 business days to introduce myself and give you details on how we’ll move forward.
Step 3: Once I have your pages, I’ll get back to you with my edits within 1 week.
Step 4: I’ll follow up to see if you have any additional questions!