A Metaphor, Bleak
Manuscript Critiques & Editing
Specializing in Dark Fiction
Literary Crime, Gothic, Noir, Hard-Boiled,
Psychological and Domestic Suspense,
Dark Romance, Horror
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Focusing on Voice, Interiority, Atmospheric Density, Character Psychology, Emotional Payoff, Genre Tone, Narrative Tension
Editing Philosophy
My editorial approach is grounded in the anatomy of a story, always keeping the reader's experience in mind. If you sense something in your manuscript isn't working, my critiques offer a deep-tissue analysis tailored to meet your story where it lives. With over twenty published short stories - mostly literary fiction and literary crime - and as a first reader for a popular online journal, I bring a love of craft and an author's discernment to every manuscript and short-form piece I evaluate. Whether you've written a gothic narrative infused with vivid imagery and generational decay, a literary horror rich with metaphor, a gritty procedural that explores the corrupt underbelly of an urban landscape, a dark romance filled with power imbalances, or a noir piece heavy with moral erosion, I'll interrogate the narrative integrity and emotional resonance of your work - specifically the interplay of subtext, interiority, tension, and atmospheric rhythm - to ensure your manuscript's intent and execution are in absolute alignment.
Editing and Critique Services
Manuscript or Short Story Critique - Includes a tailored report, extensive in-line comments, and a sample line editQuery Letter and Synopsis Critique - Includes a brief report, in-line comments, and line edits where appropriateLine Editing - Available on a limited basisDevelopmental Editing - Available on a limited basis
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About Jess
Jess's fiction has appeared in over twenty literary journals, including Two Thirds North, Shotgun Honey, and Mystery Magazine. Her stories have been longlisted for Litmag’s Anton Chekhov Award for Flash Fiction and The Masters Review Flash Fiction Contest. Her short story A Place like You was a finalist for the Bellingham Review’s Tobias Wolff Award for Fiction. Her short story Ghosts was nominated by the editors of Tough Crime Magazine for the Best American Mystery and Suspense and Best American Short Stories anthologies. Her flash fiction piece Baby and her short story Who Are You were nominated for the Best of the Net Anthology. Her long-form piece, Her Father's Daughter, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
About Stella
Head of Security and Private Investigator specializing in tracking down toys and treats.
CRIME
Literary Fiction
