Short Story Consultations
I am currently open for short story consultations. In a short story consultation, I will read your story and give you a 500-word editorial note that covers what’s working, what isn’t, and what you might consider implementing upon revision. I'll include notes in track changes, and we'll have a half-hour phone or video call to discuss your piece once I’ve completed my edits. While this is optional, it is recommended. (Please see the table below for rates). Consultations take about 2 weeks.
I judge a story on its own terms and offer feedback with those terms in mind. There’s nothing more exciting to me as a writer than receiving constructive and rigorous feedback that makes me eager to dig in and revise, and this is the kind of feedback I strive to give as an editor.
With a decade-and-a-half of experience working at award-winning independent literary magazines (One Story, A Public Space, BOMB), I have a keen understanding of the world of short fiction and the editorial process.
If you are interested in my services, please contact me via the contact form for availability. In your note, tell me a little bit about yourself, where you are with your writing, and what you hope to achieve with your piece.
I judge a story on its own terms and offer feedback with those terms in mind. There’s nothing more exciting to me as a writer than receiving constructive and rigorous feedback that makes me eager to dig in and revise, and this is the kind of feedback I strive to give as an editor.
With a decade-and-a-half of experience working at award-winning independent literary magazines (One Story, A Public Space, BOMB), I have a keen understanding of the world of short fiction and the editorial process.
If you are interested in my services, please contact me via the contact form for availability. In your note, tell me a little bit about yourself, where you are with your writing, and what you hope to achieve with your piece.
word count = the number of words in your short story
Testimonials
"Lena is a whip-smart editor and incredibly thoughtful reader. Whether it's plot stagnation, characters needing more dimensionality, or some other narrative hiccup, Lena always finds ways to elevate my stories—sentence by sentence—into the highest versions of themselves. I fully recommend her."—Eddie Fritts Tomaselli, writer
"Lena provided indispensable consultation for my work. She offered insights into characters, dialogue and narrative which helped me find the depth I wanted in revision. Kind and generous, she provided the reading I needed to go forward with this project."—Beverly Burch, writer
"Writing fiction is like leaping into darkness, reaching for a bar you can’t see. For the first few attempts at a story, you’re pretty much guaranteed to fall, even if you’re an experienced writer. On day one of our workshop, Lena set up a strong, elastic net of trust and support. We all felt inspired to try challenging feats, knowing that when we fell, we’d bounce back up and catch the bar with the momentum to swing to the opposite platform."—Former student
"Lena was a wonderful instructor, always a great blend of thoughtful and thorough when reading, as well as insightful during critiques. Our class featured a very diverse blend of voices, styles, and genres, and Lena was able to add value to every submission. She reads and comments with a true editorial eye, and her feedback truly helped improve my work."—Former student
"Lena provided indispensable consultation for my work. She offered insights into characters, dialogue and narrative which helped me find the depth I wanted in revision. Kind and generous, she provided the reading I needed to go forward with this project."—Beverly Burch, writer
"Writing fiction is like leaping into darkness, reaching for a bar you can’t see. For the first few attempts at a story, you’re pretty much guaranteed to fall, even if you’re an experienced writer. On day one of our workshop, Lena set up a strong, elastic net of trust and support. We all felt inspired to try challenging feats, knowing that when we fell, we’d bounce back up and catch the bar with the momentum to swing to the opposite platform."—Former student
"Lena was a wonderful instructor, always a great blend of thoughtful and thorough when reading, as well as insightful during critiques. Our class featured a very diverse blend of voices, styles, and genres, and Lena was able to add value to every submission. She reads and comments with a true editorial eye, and her feedback truly helped improve my work."—Former student