Start a voyage into your imagination
— I’m Claire van Doren, a freelance writer and editor whose worked on everything from academic essays to historical novels. Need help with an article, ad copy, or book? I can help!
Photo by Dear Sunflower on Unsplash
Services
Sensitivity Read
Worried about the content of your story? No need! For a small fee, I’ll read your work and highlight areas of concern regarding the queer community.
Copyedit
Confident in your story but not your typing? I can handle the nitty-gritty details for you so you can start working on your next project.
Manuscript Review
If you need a full work up, I’m at the ready! This service includes copyediting, line editing and developmental editing, ensuring your manuscript gets the feedback it needs.
Book your Consult
Schedule a personal consult based on my availability.
Writing Resources
— Everything from online guides to podcasts discussing everything from the basics of narrative structure to writing as a habit.
Science Fiction/Fantasy Materials
— Specific materials geared toward improving SFF writing and directing emergent writers to career-building tools
Recommended Reads
— As a SFF editor and writer, I have my own recommendations, both old and new that have influenced my work.
What My Clients Say
“I am using Claire van Doren’s editing and general advice extensively and will continue to do so in my future books. She has a natural gift for story and expression.”
Dennis Michael Burke, NYT bestselling ghostwriter for Penguin Random House and other major publishers.
“Having studied both English and journalism, Claire edits content that is creative, polished and easy to read. Her feedback style is constructive, helping you grow as a writer during the editing process. At the same time, she always works hard to preserve your voice, bringing out the best in your storytelling.”
Sophia Braccio, Managing editor at the State Press, an award-winning student publication.
“Claire was amazingly helpful for me! I was taking a rigorous English course in college with confusing and demanding criteria, but after getting her feedback, I went from scraping by to doing really well. She’s easy to work with and really knows her stuff. I would recommend her as an editor for anybody and everybody.”
Nathan Hess, Honors pre-med student at Arizona State University.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How do I schedule a consult?
Scheduling a consultation is easy! Simply navigate to the “Contact” section on the website and send me a message describing your project and availability. I will respond with several potential meeting times. Consulting is always free.
How does pricing work?
Pricing is something for us to work out together in a consultation. Every project I take on as an editor is assessed individually with my client’s goals and budget in mind. So if you have a budget, no worries! That’s just one more thing to discuss.
Can I sample your editing first?
Yes! I will edit up to 3,000 words free of charge as a sample.
Is editing available online or in person?
All of my edits are made remotely, so I can receive projects from all over the world. You can opt for in-person review of my feedback if you’re local, but phone or video call is my preference.
Who sets the deadline?
During our consult, a deadline is set and agreed upon.
How do I know I’m ready for an editor?
This will vary from person to person, but in general, I’d advise not reaching out to an editor unless you 1) know what your goals for your project are, 2) have a complete draft of it, and 3) feel like there’s nothing else you alone can do to make it better. I’d also highly recommend free resources like a local or digital writer’s workshop. I can recommend a few if you’re looking!
About Claire
Why the focus science fiction and fantasy?
I grew up reading speculative fiction! I learned to picture myself as a fairy, a witch, or a starship captain long before I learned to imagine myself as an editor. It’s where I’m the most at home and I’ve found that understanding speculative fiction and how it communicates its themes can lead to a greater overall understanding of literature and why its effective.
Your bio mentions a thesis project on queer coded monsters. Can you tell us more?
Absolutely! For a long time, queer people only ever saw themselves represented in media by monsters, creatures, and villains. That history of monstrous queer representation needs to be studied in order to gain a greater understanding of queer literature today, so I did! If you’re interested in reading the thesis, or just discussing some of these ideas, feel free to reach out!
Editorial Content and Style
How is feedback structured?
Writers can opt for a chapter-by-chapter review of their work, or simply pass along a completed manuscript. Either way, I will review the content, making suggestions in Word using the ‘Track Changes’ feature and leaving comments throughout the document. Then, I will summarize those suggestions in an editorial letter, which will be sent back to you along with the edited document.
Can I ask you to make a specific type of edit?
Of course! If there’s just one thing that you’re looking for, feel free to reach out with your request and a budget for the project. Limited edits will often be cheaper than a full manuscript review. Once we’ve discussed those two things in a consult, I can get to work!
Claire van Doren 