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Maggie Mulloy Editorial

You’ve finished a novel, now what? As a developmental editor and beta reader, I’m here to help.  

 

For fifteen years, I was a history and ESL teacher. That background gave me the skills to provide constructive feedback in a caring way. My goal is to respect your voice and vision by highlighting what’s working and finding ways to strengthen any story elements that may need improvement.

 

I am also a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, where I received my training, and I hold a BA in History from Virginia Tech and an MS in Education from Shenandoah University. 

 

Women’s fiction and romance are my specialties, but I am happy to edit in all genres of fiction. 

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Writing isn't easy, and it can be a lonely pursuit. Let me help you get your story in shape so you can share it with the world.

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Developmental Edit

Writing In Journal

A developmental edit looks at the big picture, structural elements, such as plot, pacing, characters, point of view, internal/external motivations, setting, and dialogue. 

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I will ask questions like:

  • Does the story flow properly?

  • Do the characters feel believable and well-rounded?

  • Are the stakes high enough? Are they meaningful?​​​

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You will receive two documents: your draft with detailed inline comments and track changes, and an in-depth, multi-page editorial letter addressing the story's strengths and areas for improvement. The letter offers actionable feedback to guide you in the revision process. This service also includes a 40-minute video chat once the deliverables have been reviewed. 

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  • Rate: $0.03 per word

Beta Reading

A beta read is a manuscript critique that examines the overall story to see what is working. It isn’t as comprehensive as a full developmental edit, but I will be reading with a critical eye, focusing on the characters, plot, and pacing. 

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You will receive your manuscript with casual inline comments based on first impressions and readability, along with a 1–2 page summary letter explaining your high-level feedback. This service also includes a 40-minute video chat once the deliverables have been reviewed.

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  • $40 per 10,000 words 

Reading A Book
Working
Are you ready to take the next step in your writing journey? 

No matter the service you choose, I include a 20-minute pre-edit chat and sample edit to see if we’re the right fit before moving forward. ​

To reach out:

Testimonials

"Maggie completed a developmental edit for the second novel in my teacher romance series. Her comments were respectful of my voice and the story I intended to tell. She offered valuable guidance on areas where my manuscript needed to improve along with encouraging comments about the areas where the draft is already in good shape. A post-edit Zoom enabled us to discuss and workshop suggestions further. Maggie’s work shows her strong grasp of novel structure, particularly in the romance genre, and I felt much more confident about the state of my manuscript after this process and more prepared to tackle revisions. I’d recommend her for any of your developmental editing or beta reading needs." 

Kate Underwood, Romance Author

"Maggie was one of my beta readers for my debut novel The Now in Forever and hers was the feedback I kept open while I revised the novel. Her input was so insightful and suggestions on how to tweak things beyond helpful. She also made some wonderfully encouraging comments that gave me the stamina to keep going through some pretty tricky revisions. I’d 1000% work with her again."

NC Barton, author of The Now in Forever

"Maggie was one of the first people to read the first draft of my manuscript, and she went on to review subsequent iterations as well as my query package. Her feedback is always thoughtful, organized, and most importantly, actionable. She has an in-depth knowledge of the craft and a wealth of relevant experience in teaching and screenwriting, which inform her insightful perspective. Maggie effectively balances positive and constructive feedback in a way that helps build confidence while also gently providing useful tips for improvement. I would not hesitate to continue engaging her for my future manuscripts!"

A.M. Castillo, Romance Author

"Maggie is well suited to be a developmental editor, not only because she is a fellow writer who understands the craft, but because she is an artful teacher. As my beta reader, Maggie provided me with specific feedback on character, plot, pacing, and stakes. She helped me see the strengths in my work, and brought attention to areas that could be strengthened in an honest supportive way. The time Maggie invested in helping me with my manuscript will always be appreciated."

Carolyn Freudenthal, Women's Fiction Author

"Maggie is truly a dream editor. She balances thoughtful critiques with kind encouragement. She has a keen eye for detail and helped me spot inconsistencies in both wording and the direction of the plot. Her feedback was crucial for strengthening my characters' motivations and I can't wait to work with her on my next novel!" 

Samantha Lebans, Romance Author

"Working with Maggie is a dream. She is knowledgeable and thoughtful, and as an author herself she really understands all the millions of pieces that need to come together to make a compelling manuscript. Her read of my novel and deep edit brought many key issues to my attention, and our conversation after reading her editorial letter was incredibly helpful to talk through her thoughts and how I might address them. I highly recommend her!"

Kerri Kerr, Women's Fiction and Romance Author

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