Developmental Editing

I support writers with their manuscript development. So far, I have worked primarily on novels, from first drafts, to adding the final touches before being sent out to agents. I have worked on epic multi-generational tales, historical fiction, queer love stories, and autofiction, to name a few.

I accept every length of manuscript, and every kind of story, from tales of loss to finding oneself. I advise on dialogue, plot, pace, and character development, as well as how to pitch your manuscripts to agents. My specialism is dialogue, which is the area where many writers can struggle.

Please feel free to ask me for references.

Endorsements

“Fionnuala helped me with a beta read of my upmarket manuscript as a late-stage check before going into the query trenches. She was an absolute pleasure to work with, communicative and quick to respond. I could tell she'd done a close reading, and the feedback she provided was insightful and balanced, pointing out both strengths as well as things that could potentially be improved. I've implemented many of her suggestions and feel confident that my manuscript is stronger as a result. I'd recommend Fionnuala in a heartbeat to any writer looking for professional, high-quality feedback on their work.”

Andi C. (character-driven love story, 109k)

“Fionnuala’s feedback was priceless. The points she raised really chimed as I read them, even when highlighting issues I hadn’t considered. Honest feedback can feel daunting, but Fionnuala's perceptive comments gave me confidence in my own judgement, renewed my enthusiasm, and provided a strong framework for further edits. I could immediately see how her suggestions strengthened my story.”

Anna B .(historical-fiction, 116k)