Conceptual Blueprint
$500 · A focused editorial assessment to help you see your project clearly—and know what to do next.
You have the ideas, the research, the stories, or even a draft. But you may be too close to the work to see its shape clearly.
What is the project really about? What's working? What's getting in the way? And what should you tackle first?
The Conceptual Blueprint gives you an experienced outside perspective on those questions before you invest more time in writing or revising.
I'll review your project description, outline or table of contents (if you have one), and up to 2,000 words of representative writing. I'll then provide a focused 1–2 page editorial assessment identifying the project's central idea, structural strengths and challenges, and the most important priorities for moving forward.
We'll discuss the assessment together in a 45-minute Zoom consultation, so you can ask questions, talk through possibilities, and leave with a clear sense of what to do next.
What's included
Review of your project description or synopsis
Review of your outline or table of contents, if available
Review of up to 2,000 words of representative writing
1–2 page written editorial assessment
3–5 prioritized recommendations for developing or revising the project
45-minute Zoom consultation
Who it's for
The Conceptual Blueprint is a good fit if you're:
Developing a nonfiction book from an idea, research, or partial draft
Working on a memoir and struggling to see the larger shape
Developing a collection of essays or interconnected pieces
Stuck on a project and unsure what to tackle next
Revising a manuscript but can't quite identify what's not working
Wondering whether your material has a clear throughline or structure
You don't need a finished manuscript. In fact, this service can be most useful before you've written one.
What you'll walk away with
Clarity about the project.
A sharper understanding of what you're trying to accomplish and where the strongest version of the work may lie.
A short list of priorities.
Rather than a long list of edits, you'll know the few things that matter most right now.
A path forward.
You'll have concrete next steps for your writing or revision—and a chance to talk through them with someone who has an experienced eye for structure and ideas.
Why work with me?
I'm a nonfiction editor, writer, and former writing professor. Since 2020, I've worked with authors, scholars, and subject-matter experts on books, essays, articles, and other substantial projects.
My editorial work has included projects published by MIT Press, University of California Press, Duke University Press, and other university and independent presses. The books I've worked on have received recognition from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Foreword INDIES, International Book Awards, and Canadian Studies Network.
Clients often tell me that I see things in their work that they can't see themselves.
“She can see what I cannot when I'm deep into a manuscript.”
— Christine M. Tracy
“Her comments are focused, clear, and solution-oriented.”
— Victoria Kumala Sakti
“Natalie asks smart questions that get to the core of what you are trying to say as an author.”
— Katharine Keenan
My job isn't to impose a formula on your work. It's to help you understand what you already have—and make better decisions about where to take it.
FAQs
Do I need a complete manuscript?
No. The Conceptual Blueprint is designed for projects at many stages, from early ideas and outlines to completed drafts that need a clearer direction.
How much writing do you review?
Up to 2,000 words of representative writing, along with your project description and outline or table of contents, if available.
What exactly do I receive?
A 1–2 page written editorial assessment with 3–5 prioritized recommendations, followed by a 45-minute Zoom consultation.
Is this a developmental edit?
No. This is a focused assessment rather than a full developmental edit. I won't provide detailed feedback on every chapter or line-edit your writing.
What if I already have a finished manuscript?
That's fine. The Blueprint can help you identify the most important structural issues before you undertake a larger revision.
What if I don't have an outline?
That's fine, too. Send what you have. An outline or table of contents is helpful but not required.
Why hire you instead of using AI to evaluate my idea?
AI can help you generate possibilities, but it can’t replace an experienced reader who understands what makes a project intellectually coherent, distinctive, and worth pursuing. I look at the whole idea—what you’re trying to say, what’s most compelling about it, and where the project needs sharper focus—and help you make decisions about what comes next.
Can I hire you for more editing afterward?
Absolutely. Some writers use the Blueprint as a stand-alone assessment and take the recommendations into their own revision. Others decide they would benefit from continued developmental editing or an ongoing editorial partnership. We'll discuss what makes sense during our consultation.
Ready to see your project more clearly?
If you're too close to the project to see its shape clearly, the Conceptual Blueprint can help you identify what's working, what needs attention, and what to do next.