WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR:
I’m open to mentoring both adult and young adult stories in romance (all subgenres except for romantasy and historical), contemporary, thriller, mystery, and horror that’s on the plot-heavy side. Basically, if it takes place in our world and has a clear hook, I’d love to see it! In all genres and age categories, I’m especially interested in supporting stories by writers from marginalized communities.

*Alexa, play “Feel Something” by Illenium.*

Truly, the best way to summarize what kind of story I’m looking to mentor is I just want to feel—feel SOMETHING while reading it, no matter what that feeling is. If you’re overthinking whether or not I’d vibe with XYZ aspect of your book (relatable), send send send! I don’t always know the kind of story I’m going to love, but when I do, it’s after I've started reading.

Romance is where I feel I’ll be the most helpful, as adult romance is what I write and also read the most of. My taste straddles the line between character-driven women's fiction and fast-paced romcom. I love humorous voices coupled with deep character arcs. If a story can make me laugh and cause me severe emotional pain, HELLO. In addition, I’m not only hungry for the slowest of slow burns, but I am quite possibly the third-act breakup's number-one fan. HURT ME before stitching me back together. I love my tropes as much as the next romance reader, though what matters most for me isn't the trope itself, but how it's used to tell the story and play into the couple’s journey. Same goes for spice in the adult space! (I’m also fine with any heat level, including closed-door.)

When it comes to contemporary without a focus on romance or any romance at all, most of the above also applies! Give me voice. Give me humor. Give me heart. Give me big feelings.
 
For thriller/mystery/horror, same deal. I’m drawn to books that balance plot and character and have an immediately distinctive voice. I love stories that make me constantly change my predictions as I’m reading, are full of twists and foreshadowing, seriously creep me out, or a combo of all three!

I’m also interested in blends of any of the above genres and am cool with speculative elements.

A BIT ABOUT MENTORING STYLE:
My biggest strengths are character arcs and story structure. I love taking a deep dive into a character’s backstory that won’t necessarily end up on the page but makes the stuff that does feel that much more realistic, and I’m a nerd when it comes to aligning the protagonist’s journey with plot beats. Also, as a chronic overwriter, I believe I’d be helpful in both beefing up a shorter story as well as trimming a longer one to make sure it fits within the proper word-count range.

After CPing and beta reading quite a few books over the years, I’ve learned a lot about what makes an effective critique. I always ensure my suggestions elevate the story that already exists and never state them as fact. My opinions are just that—opinions! I'm of the firm belief that the goal of any beta reader, CP, mentor, what have you is to simply help the writer tell the story they want to tell as they want to tell it by pointing out things they may be too close to see themselves. 

I love collaboration. I love brainstorming. I love screaming in the margins. I love talking someone down from an anxious spiral. I love sharing story playlists and moodboards. I love when I get a text for a random plot idea that has me shouting “YES!”

WHAT’S NOT THE BEST FIT:
Sci-fi or fantasy. I give so much credit to those who come up with original world building and rules and magic systems, but unfortunately, I struggle to keep it all straight.

Writer’s interested in self publishing who are also looking for advice on how to navigate that space. I’m more than happy to work with indie authors on craft, but as someone who’s always pursued traditional publishing, that’s where my industry knowledge lies, so I won’t be much help otherwise.

Any writing that has used generative AI in any capacity.