Midnight Devotion Editing: Book Coaching, Developmental Edits, and Manuscript Review Process with Leila Sanders

Q: Please introduce yourself!

Hello! I’m Leila Sanders, owner of Midnight Devotion Editing! I’m a developmental editor and book coach specializing in dark fantasy romance and MM romance.

Q: Who is your ideal client or project and why?

My ideal clients are first-time writers open to feedback, but they’re adamant in maintaining their vision of their story.

My ideal project is a dark fantasy MM romance, because I love working on both types of projects but having them combined in a single project is always exciting to work on. Of course, I also can’t resist any dark romances, paranormal (werewolves to vampires), or LGBTQIA+ stories, because I’m obsessed with getting more LGBTQIA+ stories out in the world.

Q: What type of editing do you enjoy the most?

I really enjoy developmental editing the most, but I also love the challenges of book coaching.

Q: How do you define book coaching vs. developmental editing to potential clients?

If writers need help writing the story, book coaching can help them. For example, a book coach can help a writer be more accountable and productive, brainstorm plot ideas, help analyze outlines (even unfinished ones) or 1 - 2 chapters per month, and more. It can be continuous monthly support or during critical stages of a writer’s writing journey.

Additionally, when the writer encounters issues with outlining their story or ensuring their plot is sound (before writing the written-out version), they might seek my scene outline critiques or outline planning coaching package.

Meanwhile, developmental editing is usually when I edit the fully finished manuscript for big-pictures issues.

Q: What is your approach to developmental editing or book coaching?

My approach to developmental editing and book coaching my clients is gently guiding them with encouraging, diplomatic, and constructive feedback that’s simple to digest.

Q: When did you decide to add a manuscript review process to your developmental editing package? Has that changed how you approach editing overall?

I listened to my clients. After sending the deliverables, a lot of my clients wanted to use my complimentary email support to review a couple of chapters or sections they revised. From there, other clients asked for some type of support like a paid manuscript review to go through the whole manuscript. Therefore, this made me realize that some writers are really attracted to the idea of getting support after they revised their manuscript.

I offered a similar service with the complimentary email support, but some clients preferred the manuscript reviews when they felt they needed the extra support after revising their manuscript.

Q: Book coaching has a wide range of potential stages where an author can get you involved, how do setup your coaching sessions for success?

I always treat each coaching client differently, which is why I always gather as much information as possible through my book coaching questionnaire form, an onboarding form, and any information obtained in email or phone call exchanges. However, I also customize book coaching packages based on the clients’ needs, unless they use my new book coaching packages.

I also allow the client to come up with 1 – 3 questions for the book coaching session, which allows me to critically think about the question and customize potential book coaching activities. If we don’t get to all the client’s questions, I’ll either answer it by email following the book coaching call or go over them in the next scheduled call.

Q: Biggest pitfalls for aspiring book coaches to look out for?

Always track your time when you’re starting out as you work on specific projects.

• Do you know how long it takes for you to prepare for a book coaching session?

• Do you know how long it takes to review one chapter and provide notes for the book coaching call or email?

• Do you know how long it takes to research, customize a worksheet, and draft an email to a client who wants personalized homework?

Figure out how long it takes to do those specific book coaching tasks to determine whether you’re charging enough for the packages, because those research and creative homework exercises can take more time than you think. However, the good news is that you can repurpose some of those book coaching activities for other clients.

Q: Best practical advice for writer’s who are looking for a book coach?

You can always review testimonials, credentials, and receive the most positive feedback from previous clients when looking for a new book coach. However, I think one of the most important aspects of finding the right book coach for you is figuring out if you mesh as a collaborative team.

For example, if you think you’ll need continual guidance for 3 – 9 months or more, you want to know if your book coach is someone you’re comfortable discussing your book ideas and challenges you might face as you’re writing.

While book coaching isn’t therapy, it can include some personal moments that help identify why you’re having productivity or motivational issues that’s negatively impacting your ability to write.

For example, I bonded over taking care of cats with one of my book coaching clients during the introductory part of our call.

Writers might consider the following:

• How did the coach make me feel comfortable or heard during our initial discovery call?

• Did their personality speak to you as someone you’d be comfortable sharing romance or fantasy plot ideas? This is especially critical if you plan to seek outside guidance in writing or editing intimacy scenes between romantic interests. Some coaches aren’t comfortable with discussing sensitive topics, while others might have an intimacy green and red flag worksheet (something I’m developing).

• Did the potential book coach go beyond the expected in some way? Book coaches don’t know every answer, but typically we’re willing to provide extra resources or guidance after the discover book coaching calls.

• Does their personality during the discovery call feel flexible for my needs?

  Some writers might need more flexibility when dealing with children, a job that takes up most of their time, or other life events. If you’re undecided about this, ask them how flexible they are. What happens when you miss one book coaching call? If you’re both willing to compromise, make sure you stick to polite etiquette. When you know you’ll miss a call, let them know in advance, and your book coach might schedule a book coaching email session instead to keep you on track.

Q: When should an author get a book coach?

An author might consider getting a book coach when they get stuck on the outline planning or drafting the manuscript stage. Each writer might have their own reasons to hire a book coach since every writer’s journey is unique and different from another.

For example, one writer might only need a gentle book coach keeping them accountable for reaching specific word count goals throughout the week.

Meanwhile, another writer might need help figuring out what type of external conflict they need in their outline.

Book coaches can do both, but not all of them will offer both services on their website. Inquire or ask for a referral if they don’t! Book coaches can also help new writers figure out how to write dialogue, fight scenes, weave in more external or internal conflict, balance backstory and/or flashbacks, and so much more.

Q: Do you provide coaching and developmental editing bundles? If so, what does that look like for the client?

Yes, I offer coaching and developmental editing bundles. I offer complimentary email support or manuscript reviews after clients implement my developmental editing feedback. This also saves my clients money since they won’t have to hire for a manuscript evaluation after the developmental edit, and having that extra support can make the bundled rates worth it.

Also, my “All-inclusive Book Coaching Package” is a 3-month commitment where clients receive 30% off on developmental editing. However, I’ll also consider customizing packages with developmental editing in the book coaching bundles.

Q: Do you have any longtime coaching (or editing) clients who have returned to you for multiple books? What is the difference between a new client and a returning client’s process?

Whether it’s a returning book coaching or editing client, the onboarding process is a little different from a new client. For example, there isn’t a sample edit requirement (I’ve done some sample edits for book coaching clients), and the questionnaires are usually shorter since I still collect what goals they have for the specific project.

However, I still provide customized quotes for them to pick since they might be on a budget, or they’re interested in a more comprehensive package (like my new package that includes the manuscript reviews).

Q: What is a genre that you would love to get into?

In the future, I’d like to explore editing screenplays since movies or TV shows are another passion of mine. I’ve also considered developmental editing RPGs, children’s books, and nonfiction.

Q: What are some tips for writers who are preparing their manuscripts for developmental editing?

Here are a few tips I always give to potential developmental editing clients:

• Have you used any beta readers or writing critique partners? If not, consider using them before hiring a developmental editor. Another round of self-editing after receiving their feedback can help get your manuscript in the best shape possible for the editor.

• Take time away from the manuscript before doing a final self-edit. Self-editing can be a great way to improve big-picture issues, but I know being too close to a story can make some things slip through. Taking at least a few weeks away from the project before self-editing one last time can also help reveal some issues you might have glanced over.

• Be self-aware as possible with what your potential weaknesses are in your story. I always ask clients to specify what their weaknesses are, but some writers don’t know. This is especially true for first-time writers who haven’t received feedback from any beta readers or critique partners. This is why that initial feedback can be beneficial since the writer could put some of these potential weaknesses on their author goals section the developmental editor will pay closer attention to.

• Proofread and Formatting: Proofreading might sound counterintuitive to proofread your story, but if your manuscript is riddled with too many misspellings and grammar issues, this makes it more difficult and time-consuming for the developmental editor to read the manuscript.

A manuscript that’s has strong readability saves you money. Formatting what your developmental editor specified can also be beneficial in saving your editor time. For example, creating headings for each chapter can help the editor sift through chapters more efficiently, especially if they’re working on a book scene map or analyzing chapter endings.

Q: What is your favorite part of the editing and coaching process?

My favorite part of editing and coaching is noticing the improvement writers make in their work! I love it so much! I’m always proud of my clients improving their work, especially when I wonder if they need me anymore.

Q: What is the hardest part of the editing and coaching process?

Receiving feedback is a little challenging for me with my developmental editing clients. My impostor syndrome always flares, despite all the positive feedback. I think that’s something writers and editors/coaches have in common, because we’re always anxious about how the other will perceive our work.

The most challenging aspect of book coaching is going on a phone call with new clients, because I have social anxiety and want to make a good first impression. This is why I prefer working with book coaching clients via email or Discord, but I will still accept phone call book coaching sessions and discovery calls. My anxiety doesn’t get in my way in connecting with writers, so I’m always happy to talk writing issues out, brainstorm ideas, and more.

Q: Where do you go to expand your skillsets in coaching and developmental editing?

I got a strong collection of writing craft books from Lisa Cron to Janice Hardy’s Show, Don’t Tell books. Seeking more knowledge on specific big-picture issues from writing craft books or podcasts can be a great way to continue my education in developmental editing. However, I’m also currently taking some classes through Club Ed, such as the “coaching writers” course.

I’ve also learned a lot from other experienced and supportive editors and book coaches in groups like the Northwest Editors Guild and Freelance Editors Club (FEC). For example, I was mentored by an editor at the Guild who is an experienced editor and book coach. I also love learning some of the various editing and coaching training FEC has to offer new and experienced editors.

Q: What is one thing you want potential clients to know about you?

I offer payment plans and unique services like my first 5 chapters review.

Bonus Q: What are two fun facts about you?

I create chunky blankets and can recite some of the lines from the Friends TV show.

Bonus Q: What do you do when you are not working?

I’m a little obsessed with storytelling, so even when I’m not working, I’m reading a book, watching a television show or movie, or listening to songs.

Leila Sanders is a developmental editor and book coach specializing in MM romance and dark fantasy romance. She gently guides first-time fantasy and romance writers to finish or improve their manuscripts.