Book Coaching and Editing
for People Who Want to Change the Story
You have the research, the experience, or the insight.
I help you turn it into a book that makes readers care.
FEATURED IN
Who this is for:
If you've ever thought, "It doesn't need to be this way," and you want to write a book about it
Scientists and land stewards
Ecologists, conservationists, and land stewards who need help translating field knowledge into a book that could change how people see our relationship with the living world.
Therapists, researchers, and healers
People who have learned what helps humans thrive and want to get it out of the consulting room or lab and into a book that helps readers live more nourishing lives.
Educators, economists, and entrepreneurs
People who have seen how things really work from the inside and want to write a book that takes the old story apart and shows readers a better way.
Writers with big ideas
People from any field who have insights about how we live and want to write a book about how we can do it better.
Book Writing and Editing Packages
Book Writing
Here's what you get:
Templates, prompts, and accountability to get your words on the page fast
No overthinking: write how you talk
Editing to transform your raw writing into polished prose in your voice
A professional book that builds your authority
Starting at $7,500 *
Editing
Here's what you get:
Manuscript Evaluation
(a clear vision for your book)Developmental Editing
(structure & organization of ideas)Copy & Line Editing (polished writing that flows)
Proofreading (text that's error-free & ready for publication)
Starting at $5,500 *
* For an average length book (50,000 words/200 pages). Actual price determined by book length and project complexity.
Writing a book is just the beginning
Without proper structure, organization, and editing, a book will never reach its full potential.
I handle all stages of writing and editing to give you a well-written, compelling
book that shines.
Developmental Editing
Reviewing the manuscript's structure and content to give you a clear vision for the book.
Line and Copy Editing
Improving clarity and flow while ensuring accurate grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style.
Proofreading
Checking the final manuscript for minor errors and inconsistencies to ensure it is ready for publication.
How we work together:
two paths, depending where your book is
Not yet on the page
Book coaching & planning
We build the structure before you write the draft, then I guide you through it. You save months of writing and rewriting, and you finish with a manuscript ready for copy editing.
First draft complete
Developmental & copy editing
Structural and sentence-level editing to turn your rough draft into an organized, polished manuscript without losing your voice.
My Editing Process
Every book needs a professional editor to reach its fullest potential.
STEP ONE
Manuscript Evaluation
I analyze your manuscript and provide a proposal with recommendations for edits to most effectively communicate your message.
STEP TWO
Complete Edit
Your manuscript undergoes two stages of editing: developmental and line/copy, which shapes and polishes your book via manuscript markup.
STEP THREE
Final Proofread
After all edits are reviewed and the final content is set, I do a final review to ensure there are no errors or inconsistencies so your book is ready to publish!
Services
Book coaching & planning
Most people start writing their book without a structure, and it's a slow and painful way to figure out what the book is about. You spend months or years on a draft, discover the pieces don't fit together during a developmental edit, and then spend months more rewriting.
I'll help you avoid all that by planning the book first. Here's what that looks like:
• Finding the core idea: We talk through what the book is really about, who it's for, and what you want readers to understand or feel by the end.
• Planning the architecture: We map the structure: what goes where, in what order, and why.
• Guidance while you write: I read your drafts as you go and give you feedback, prompts, and accountability, so problems get caught early.
• A draft that's ready for copy editing: Because the structure is sound from the start, you skip developmental editing and rewriting.
Developmental & copy editing
You have a draft, and now it needs to become a book. This is a two-stage process:
• Developmental editing: I read the whole manuscript and look at the big picture: structure, argument, pacing, and whether the book's core idea speaks to the audience you want to reach. You get a detailed editorial letter and notes on the manuscript with clear direction on what to cut, reorder, or develop.
• Line & Copy editing: Once the structure is settled, I go through line by line for clarity, consistency, grammar, and style, so the writing is clean and still sounds like you.
"I feel so much less overwhelmed after talking to you!"
and other things my clients say about working with me...
“Jess‘s editing skills are matched only by her professionalism. She sharpened the narrative and ensured linguistic precision, while preserving my voice.”
Mark D'Souza, MD
Author, Lost and Found
“Jess‘s thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and ability to appreciate my writing style gave me the confidence to take my writing to the next level.”
Brandon Milbradt
Founder, Eat Gold Organics
"Jess is a champion because of her meticulous attention to detail. As an author and a business owner, she is my first choice to edit my work."
Daniel Armstrong
Founder, Find-A-Tree
"She asked smart questions., communicated clearly, and consistently elevated the quality of the manuscript. Her professionalism and curiosity made the entire process smooth and productive."
First-time author
"As a first-time author, I especially appreciated how much time she took to explain things and talk through her recommendations. She was thoughtful, responsive, and willing to engage with the bigger questions I had along the way."
First-time author
"Jess gave me clear feedback and direction. She was there every step of the way, making the process much more accessible for me as a new author. If you want a competent, charming, hands-on editor, Jess is the best!"
First-time author
Check out my work...
Explore the books I've edited
Explore the books I've worked on:
A book is more than just a collection of words—when done right, it can be a beacon that shines your vision out to the world.
Hi, I’m Jess Filippi, founder of Beacon Editing.
I work with authors who want to change the story we're living by, and I help them write books that create lasting change.
The authors I'm most drawn to come from all walks of life:
farmers who have learned something profound from the soil;
therapists who have watched their clients heal in nature;
economists dismantling the myth of endless growth;
tech veterans who have seen behind the curtain;
conservationists, ecologists, and educators who understand the stories we tell about the living world can restore our relationship with nature, ourselves, and each other.
What they all have in common is a belief that the way we're living isn't working and the desire to write a book that shows a better way.
Most of them don't think of themselves as writers. They recognize the power of books to change minds and create meaningful change, but they don't know how write one, what sort of editing they need, or how to get it published.
That's where I come in, before the first draft exists. Some call this book coaching; I think of it as planning the architecture of your book. It saves you from the heartbreak of spending a year on a draft that doesn't have a strong foundation. You'll know what the book is, what goes where, and why, before you write a word.
And if you already have a draft, I'll edit for structure and clarity while preserving your unique voice.
I've spent 20+ years in publishing, alongside a life in the natural world, teaching environmental education, studying botany and naturalist practice, and doing deep work in embodiment and psychology. That means I can speak the technical language of science and theory and then translate it into stories that resonate with readers.
If you're ready to plan your book, schedule a call and we'll talk about how I can help.
Jess Filippi
Founder, Beacon Editing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q. Do I need to have anything written before starting your book coaching program?
No. Some authors come with a pile of notes, some with a few chapters, and some with just an idea they've been thinking about for years. We start with whatever you have
Q. How much time will I need to put in during book coaching?
Plan to write regularly between our meetings. Most authors set aside 3–5 hours a week, and the schedule we build in month 1 is designed to fit your life. The more consistently you write, the more you'll get out of the biweekly feedback.
Q. How do the book coaching meetings work?
We meet on Zoom, twice in month 1 and then every two weeks while you write. Each call is about 60 minutes. I send my feedback on your pages beforehand, so we can spend the call going over them.
Q. What if I want more time or support after six months?
You can add extra months of coaching. We can discuss your specific needs and pricing on a call.
Q. Can you ghostwrite my book?
I occasionally take on ghostwriting projects. If that's what you're looking for, let's talk about whether it's a good fit.
Q. What's the typical timeline for developmental and copy editing a book?
The amount of time editing takes varies depending on the length of the book, but on average the whole process takes about 3 to 4 months.
Q. How does pricing work?
Pricing is for book coaching is a monthly fee or discounted upfront investment. Pricing for developmental and copy editing is based on a manuscript evaluation and word count.
Q. Do you use AI for writing or editing?
As a lifelong avid reader of science fiction, I am both terrified of AI and fascinated by its potential. I believe that in creative work such as writing and editing books, the human imagination should remain unaided by artificial intelligence.
tl;dr: Nope! I do not use AI in my writing or editing work, and I will not put your work through AI software for any reason.
Likewise, I do not work on manuscripts that contain any content created by AI. That includes not only text written by AI but also text that has been "edited" or "polished" by AI software. By all means, run spell check on your manuscript. PLEASE DO NOT put it through a program that will strip your voice and destroy the nuance of your ideas before sending it to an editor.
Q. What style guide do you use?
I use the Chicago Manual of Style, which is the standard for most publishing.
I also have extensive experience with MLA and APA styles. Style requirements will be covered in your onboarding call.
Q. What if I only need copy editing?
I evaluate each manuscript to determine what kind of editing it needs, and then I provide my recommendations in your custom editing plan. Your book may only need copy editing, but it is impossible to tell without an evaluation.
Q. Why shouldn't I edit the book myself?
All writers need editors! For real, even Stephen King, who has written two to three books a years since the 1970s, has an editor.
If a writer tires to edit their own work, they miss things. A professional editor has the objectivity and skill to identify a manuscript's weaknesses and notice the errors.
Q. How do I get started?
Book a call using the button below. We'll talk about your book, what you're hoping for, and whether working together feels right..
Let's plan the book only you can write.
Schedule a call to get started.
