Author Testimonials

Here is what current and past author clients have said about working with me.

The cover of a book titled 'The First Whispers of Fate' by C.J. Nolen. The cover features a sailing ship at the top and a theatrical mask surrounded by flames at the bottom.

“Emily is incredible to work with! Her feedback was detailed, organized, and insightful.

She helped me understand what worked in my novel and how to make those elements stronger. Where there were weaknesses in the manuscript, she provided thorough analysis on the issues and concrete advice on how to address them.

I came away with a clear vision of how to make my novel the best it can be.”

— C.J. Nolen, Fantasy Author

Manuscript: The First Whispers of Fate

Book cover for 'Mistress of Hours' by Emma Elizabeth, depicting a woman in a red gown with her back to the viewer, standing in front of a stained glass window.

“Working with Emily has been, honestly, such a comfort to me as a first-time author.

She is so thoughtful in the way she gives feedback that I came out feeling more confident in my writing. She really feels like a partner in the writing process. I can tell she loved my story and my characters, and wanted to help me make my vision for them come to life.

Emily is organized, delivered on time, and communicates well. I can't wait to work with her again on my future projects!”

— Emma Elizabeth, Fantasy Author

Manuscript: Mistress of Hours

Book cover titled 'The Midwizard of Osonia' by Zack Schoppen, featuring a mystical tree with symbols among its roots and branches, surrounded by decorative leafy vines and stars.

“Emily's developmental edit truly took my novel to a whole new level.

Her detailed book map helped guide my plot to being tighter and stronger by ensuring each scene accomplished its goal, the editorial letter helped me pare down different character POVs in a way that made much more sense than what I had, and every single in-text comment made the book better in some way.

The developmental edit was worth every cent!”

— Zack Schoppen, Fantasy Author

Manuscript: The Midwizard of Cosconia

Book cover titled "Splitting the Binary" by James Ryan, depicting a close-up of a man in dress shoes standing on a red square and a woman in high heels stepping on a blue square, with a blurred background of bookshelves.

”I wasn't really sure that I needed an editor going into our first call, but I got so much more than I could've dreamed throughout this whole process and wholeheartedly believe my manuscript is better for it.

I learned things about my manuscript, my writing style, and myself that I wouldn't have otherwise known.

I contacted Emily months later to inquire about possible alternative titles for my story, and she helped me choose the one I ultimately went with.

So much of what this story is today wouldn't exist without her, and I truly believe she helped make it better in every way. I'm immensely proud of the finished product, doubly so because it's my first published release.”

—James Ryan, Science Fiction Author

Manuscript: Splitting the Binary

Image of a book cover with the word "Pending" stamp, featuring the title "This author’s manuscript is a work in progress."

“After months of working on our project, my co-author and I were finally ready to invest in a developmental editor. We are SO glad we chose Emily.

Emily not only read our work as an editor, but as someone who genuinely enjoys reading. Her feedback was thoughtful, constructive, and uplifting, offering golden nuggets of wisdom on where and how to strengthen our characters and plot.

Her developmental edit was EXACTLY what our story needed. Thanks to Emily, my co-author and I are going into our next round of revisions with confidence and excitement.”

— E.D., Fantasy Author
Book cover titled "Wild Light: The Awakening" by K.B. Kveld. Features a decorative mirror with a gold frame, a dark blue background with light decorative elements.

”Emily followed up by going beyond what I expected, providing reactions and assumptions about specific scenes in the manuscript as both a reader and editor, along with an overview critique document.

I’m always thinking up more details I could add, and her comments in the manuscript greatly helped me decide on the most important details to keep or include as I revise.

Her well-organized critique document was also helpful as a review list for overarching elements of the story, and arrived by the deadline we had agreed on, despite work time being impacted by a holiday.”

— K.B. Kveld, Sci-Fi Fantasy Author

Manuscript: Wild Light

Book cover with a woman in a red dress walking on a desert road towards a city, with mountains and a sunset sky in the background. Title: 'On the Road to Jericho'. Author: Sue Meredith Mann.

“Emily practices the art of giving you clear, actionable feedback that will make your book stronger, clearer, and cleaner, while ALSO making you feel seen, appreciated and respected — even if you are a first time author and are making rookie mistakes left, right, and center!

I came away inspired and energized to dive into the revisions. All writing is rewriting, as they say. Emily’s feedback and suggestions give you a clear path to the rewriting you need to do.”

— Sue Meredith Mann, Historical Fiction/Literary Fiction Author

Manuscript: On the Road to Jericho

Book cover titled 'The Strangers' Sanctuary' by S. E. Robertson, featuring a man and woman looking over a lush green landscape, with a house in the distance and a blue sky.

“I received a manuscript evaluation on a later draft of my novel.

Emily listened to what I was trying to accomplish with it and made helpful, insightful comments that helped me shape the manuscript into a better version of itself.”

— S.E. Robertson, Fantasy Author

Manuscript: The Strangers’ Sanctuary

Book cover with the title 'Pending' and the subtitle 'Work in Progress,' notes about writing and revising taking time, and a mention of the publishing process.

“I will be using Emily Dahl again.

I feel she really got into my story and understood where I was going with it, and that gave us a certain cohesion with the written work.”

— S. Siobahn Brand, Fantasy Author