From seedling to story, I’m here to help your words blossom.
Every author has a story to tell.
I’ll help you bring yours to life with clarity, impact, and heart.
As a freelance editor with over a decade of experience, including five at one of the world’s leading publishing houses, I specialize in helping authors tell stories that evoke feeling and foster understanding. Books I’ve worked on at Penguin Random House Canada have been longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize (The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor); shortlisted for the Atwood Gibson Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize (The Book of Rain by Thomas Wharton); named #1 national bestsellers (Return of the Trickster by Eden Robinson, The Push by Ashley Audrain); and won the Toronto Book Award (Speak, Silence by Kim Echlin). I’ve also been a submission reader at Westwood Creative Artists, one of Canada’s largest literary agencies, so if you’re aiming to have your book traditionally published or hook an agent, I’m here to demystify the process. At Verb Garden, I assist writers with all levels of experience to shape fiction and nonfiction that resonates deeply, challenges perspectives, and stays with readers long after the last page.
Under the eclectic Random House Canada imprint, I acquired subversive feminist historical fiction, health and wellness books with an activist bent, and a breathtaking memoir on grief and the cosmos. All this to say, I edit widely and enthusiastically! I’m especially passionate about social and environmental justice, nature writing, historical fiction that challenges the reader’s biases, queer love stories, novels with magical realist, speculative, and gothic elements, and any book that leaves the reader a little softer and kinder than it found them. I’m always delighted to work with queer and neurodivergent authors, and these are identities I’m proud to share.
It’s my mission to amplify your voice, ensure you feel seen and heard, and champion your work as fiercely as if it were my own. Let’s turn the page on your revisions and write the next chapter of your book’s success!
“As my editor, Lauren saw straight into my creative soul.”
Gwen Tuinman, author of Unrest
“As my editor, Lauren saw straight into my creative soul.
I’ll always remember reading her initial reactions to my historical adventure novel, Unrest. By the end of her email, I was overcome with happiness and relief. She had passionately articulated my manuscript’s themes and celebrated what I’d striven to accomplish with the story. Gone was my worry that an editor would eviscerate my work and try to mold it into a book they would like to have written. Lauren was on a mission to ensure that Unrest became my fully realized artistic expression.
The editing process with Lauren was akin to book therapy. She posed her thoughts as questions that prompted me to reconsider aspects of the text. Her wording throughout remained sensitive yet direct, specific and constructive. Our collaboration grew the book even closer to my vision, one that readers describe as immersive and transporting.
Lauren delivered edits on or before the promised dates. Her experience in traditional publishing equipped her to answer my questions about what lay ahead in my author journey. I appreciated the depth of detail in her email communications and her timely replies to my enquiries. She often surprised me by anticipating my questions and answering them before I’d asked.
I was thrilled when Lauren agreed to do a Q&A session with me at the Unrest book launch. It was such a natural fit given how much she had already bolstered this introvert’s confidence! Not only did she conduct a thoughtful interview, she delivered an exquisite introduction. Lauren had come to know me as well as she knew my book.
A copy of that introduction remains posted on my office wall as a reminder that through my writing, I am seen and heard — which, as artists, is what we all hope for.”
Services
Below are some of the editorial services I offer. Please reach out for a proposal tailored to your project!
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Also known as substantive editing, I offer in-depth developmental editing to help you shape and strengthen your manuscript. This includes comprehensive feedback on elements such as structure, pacing, clarity, characterization, and consistency. Whether you need help refining your story’s arc, deepening character motivations, or ensuring that your work of nonfiction flows seamlessly and moves your audience, I tailor my approach to your vision while remaining true to your own unique voice. You’ll receive a copy of your manuscript marked up using Microsoft Word’s Track Changes feature and annotated with in-line comments, along with a detailed editorial letter summarizing my suggestions (and lots of love for your book, too!).
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In a manuscript evaluation report, I engage deeply with the big picture of your work to provide constructive advice on elements such as your narrative hook, structure, characterization, plot, pacing, style, continuity, and voice. If you plan on pitching your book to literary agents, I also brainstorm recent comp titles and market trends to help you enhance your queries. While this package doesn’t include in-document feedback such as line editing, copy editing, or proofreading, it’s meant to serve as an empowering and cost-effective action plan for your own revisions!
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You’ve poured your heart into your book — now let’s make sure every word is clear and engaging! Copy editing helps refine your prose while keeping your distinct voice front and centre. I smooth out any awkward phrasing, fine-tune sentence flow, apply your style choices consistently, and ensure grammar and punctuation are spot-on so that your book reads effortlessly. This is where your manuscript transforms from a strong draft into a polished, compelling read that truly connects with your audience.
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Proofreading is the exciting final touch before your book goes out into the world! I provide a meticulous last review to catch any lingering typos, punctuation slip-ups, and formatting inconsistencies — ensuring your manuscript is crisp, clean, and professional. With a keen eye for detail, I help you put your best foot forward so your readers can fully immerse themselves in your words without distractions. And now it’s your book’s time to shine!