Jay Whistler - writer | educator | editor

Jay Whistler

writer | educator | editor

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    • Editorial Assessment
    • Developmental Edit
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    • Novel Line Edit
    • Query & Synopsis Guidance
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  • Show, Don’t Tell: How to Hook Your Reader with Deep POV

Why My Year-Long “Clothing Diet” Helped My Writing and My Reading

Clothing Diet Reading Writing Writing Conferences Writing Retreats

On October 1, 2017, I decided to go on a clothing diet. For one year, I would not buy any new clothes. The only exceptions were necessities, and I don’t…

By jaywhistler October 6, 2018 Off
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I’ll Stop Reading Young Adult Fiction When You Pry It from My Cold, Dead Hands

Agent Rejection Book Clubs Reading Young Adult

I recently joined a new book club. We’re all educated women who range in age from our late thirties to our early seventies. Most of us work outside the home…

By jaywhistler October 2, 2018 Off
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Professional Endorsement

Jay’s vision for making my story better was inevitably on point, whether the issue was character development, voice, narrative arc or other critical story components. I can honestly say having Jay on your team would seriously boost anyone’s chances of being a published author.
Adam T.
I recently had a large NY agency request my full manuscript and no doubt Jay’s tightening of my writing pushed me to the top. I can say with confidence that you will wonder how you ever got along without her.
Dave S.
Jay is my go-to person for grammatical questions. She reads voraciously and remembers details I have long forgotten. She has a deep understanding of story structure and a sly sense of humor. Her critiques always bring up points I haven’t considered before, and she has a sense of drama that aids story telling.
Leslie H.
Jay goes above and beyond as an editor. She is very professional in her step-by-step process. Jay helps with guiding those of us who are still learning how to navigate the writing world. She is very thorough in her assessment of each client’s particular needs. I am very grateful for all that I have learned from her, and I highly recommend her services.
Miranda M., PB author
I was fortunate to connect with Jay through the 2021 #RevPit contest, and I couldn’t have asked for more on my middle-grade developmental edit. Jay provided both big-picture and line-level feedback to strengthen my manuscript, and she pushed me when I wanted to take the easy way out. She was also professional, timely, encouraging, and a delight to talk to!
Kiley O., MG author
Jay has a keen eye for saggy scenes, murky middles, and tired takeaways. Her revision recommendations target specific story elements to elevate any story to submission-ready. She is a joy to work with; a wordsmith extraordinaire.
Linda G., PB author
For me, the most useful comment Jay made can be paraphrased as: If the protagonist can walk away from his/her problem, the reader can walk away from the book. I am grateful to her for reminding me of the importance in raising the stakes.
Ann F.

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