“Shanon played a crucial part in my successes… She edited the book proposal, sample chapters, and cover letters that got me some great responses from presses and an advanced contract. She was an absolute enthusiast of my work, just a joy to talk to. I looked forward to our meetings and felt really eager to get to work afterwards. She was especially helpful in weaving the chapters together, thinking about the big picture of the book, and consistently keeping me focused on the key takeaways… She brought her training as a historian to bear on my work, and it was precisely that historian’s eye that my work really needed––not just thinking about chronology but about how to bring the ideas alive by telling great stories alongside the analysis. She also went above and beyond: I asked for her feedback on my job talk on very short notice, when I got invited to four prestigious dream-job campus visits (I guess that’s how much the hiring committees liked my sample chapters that Shanon helped edit!) Guess what, that job talk that Shanon looked at? Helped me get three job offers. I think it has to do as much with Shanon’s editing skills as with the moral support she was always able to offer, that I felt confident going into competitive campus visits and talking about my work… I couldn’t put a value on her input.”
“I’ve used Style and Spine repeatedly: for help defining and writing up up a new project for grants (with great success!) and for assistance turning ideas into published articles. In all settings, Shanon has helped me see solutions that I hadn’t seen, given me clear and thoughtful directions on how to proceed, and most importantly, really understood the stakes of feminist scholarship on African American and Indigenous histories. On top of her expertise, Shanon is a delight to work with. Everyone I know who has used her services talks about what a positive, supportive, and far-less-scary-than-they-thought experience it was. Shanon truly has a gift for understanding an author’s goals and charting a clear and doable course to reach them.”
Recent clients are publishing with:
- Cambridge University Press
- Oxford University Press
- University of California Press
- Stanford University Press
- Duke University Press
- University of Washington Press
- University of Hawaii Press
- University of Illinois Press
- MIT Press
- University of Michigan Press
- University of North Carolina Press
- University of Massachusetts Press
- University of Nebraska Press
- Gallaudet University Press
- Manchester University Press
- And others…
Style & Spine offers a range of personalized services to help scholars develop their work at any stage.
Project Support Sessions
For authors who want to achieve a writing goal over a set period of time. This service provides intellectual and practical support through a tailored mix of regularly scheduled meetings and effective feedback on written documents.
Book Manuscript Review and Action Plan
For authors with a first draft or a revised draft of a complete or nearly-complete book manuscript. After a consultation about the author’s goals, I conduct a thorough analysis of the entire manuscript, with emphases on argument, structure, narrative, flow, style, tone, and other elements. I then deliver an extensive written review of the work containing concrete suggestions for revision. This editorial review is accompanied by document files containing more specific, line-level editing recommendations for each chapter. For authors who feel “stuck” or want a “big picture” assessment before they decide how (or whether) to proceed with a work, it is possible to book a mini manuscript review.
Article/Essay Manuscript Review and Action Plan
For authors with a first draft or a revised draft of a complete or nearly-complete essay or article manuscript. After a consultation about the author’s goals, I analyze the manuscript, with an emphasis on argument and structure. I then deliver, depending on the state of the manuscript and the author’s needs, a written review of the work containing concrete suggestions for revision and/or a text file containing substantive in-text edits.
Book Proposal Review and Action Plan
This is for scholars who have a first draft or a revised draft of a book (or similar project) proposal. After a consultation about the author’s goals, I analyze the proposal and return written comments and recommendations; alternatively, it is possible to receive comments and recommendations through a video conference.
Dissertation-to-Publication Consultation and Action Plan
For authors who have a completed dissertation, thesis, or similar work that they now want to revise or re-conceptualize for publication as a book (or article[s]). Following an initial consultation with the author, I conduct a read-through of the work. The author receives constructive written feedback on the work followed by a videoconference to discuss revision paths.
Sample Materials Editing
For authors who are pitching their book manuscript to a press. This process focuses on the development of a book proposal and a sample chapter (or chapters). Following my analysis, the author receives suggestions in the form of line-edited documents and/or an editorial memo outlining specific advice for revisions.
Grant and Fellowship Editing
For researchers and investigators who are applying for funding for their projects. I help authors refine the central arguments and stakes of their project; amplify scholarly, pedagogical, public and/or industry contributions; and better connect their research to reviewer expectations and the priorities of funding agencies. The author receives in-depth line editing of their application materials.
Consulting for Projects-in-Development
For scholars who do not yet have a full written draft of a manuscript but would like feedback on their ideas, and/or constructive conversation about how to move forward with their project(s). Also useful for tasks like parsing peer reviews, converting conference talks into articles, conceptualizing special journal issues or edited volumes, etc.. Feedback is delivered through video consultations and/or edited documents.
Developmental Editing of Marketing Materials, Research Presentations, and Job Materials
For authors, presenters, and job-seekers who want to optimize how they share their research and accomplishments with wider audiences. Authors receive feedback as appropriate, usually in the form of line-edited documents.
style & spine 