Copilot Editing
If you want to write a book that changes minds, transforms lives, and creates deeper understanding, you’ve come to the right place.
Hi, I’m Eva Avery. I speak Book (and choppy Spanish)! Over the last decade, I have published numerous New York Times, international, and national bestsellers, and worked with many acclaimed authors, including John Lithgow, Paulo Coelho, Kim Krans, Mark Manson, Sheleana Aiyana, and more.
As the former Editorial Director for Wonderwell Press, I oversaw the publication of two dozen books per year, helped lead writer’s retreats and online publishing workshops, coached writers chapter by chapter through the writing process, developed book proposals, and oversaw the positioning for every book we published. Before this, I helped launch Chronicle Books’ non-fiction imprint, Chronicle Prism, where I edited the New York Times bestselling Dumpty series and worked with major brands such as The Wild Unknown, Men in Blazers, The Little Prince Estate, and Rising Woman. While at HarperCollins, I was a part of the editorial team behind the mega-bestseller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, along with many other impactful books. In my free time, I am usually traveling, reading in a cozy chair, hiking along the beach, or karaoke-singing Cher songs with Jenn.
I think all good editors are really just expert translators and guides, helping to identify and bring forward all the best qualities of your manuscript and guiding you to develop a book that both aligns with your vision and stands out in the market with lasting selling power. Colleagues have called me a conscientious editor, and authors have said I made them better writers. If you work with me, I will support you every step of the way, and I will also challenge you to reach your book’s full literary potential. Together, we’ll create a manuscript that is uniquely positioned, well written, and intentionally shaped, resulting in a book you are deeply proud to share with the world—a book that people will keep on their bookshelves and recommend to their friends, and that has a positive impact on the lives of others.
Are you ready to begin? Check out my services below.
Concept Development
My absolute favorite part of working with authors is being an idea partner! I’ve developed books from the ground up with authors that have received interest from Netflix and National Geographic, been featured in major media, and received bestseller status nationally and internationally. This offering is best when you have a book idea but need help developing the concept. I will work with you one-on-one to develop standout positioning in the market, create a strong book outline and overview, and identify a clear audience for your book. All concept development packages include one bonus session with me and Jenn to develop marketing-informed positioning and titling. Concept Development typically takes 4–8 weeks to complete depending on how far you are in the process.
Book Coaching
Everyone from novice writers to celebrities and multi-bestselling authors can benefit from book coaching. As your book coach, I will work with you chapter by chapter to build a balanced and engaging book draft, from walking you through the necessary elements to create a compelling introduction and a marketable table of contents, to positioning each chapter to align with a clear audience and theme. This package can include anywhere from 5–15+ coaching calls, depending on the level of support you are seeking. I will review your work before each session to provide feedback and guidance. During each call, we will work together to develop a clear outline for the next chapter(s), so you can seamlessly write forward. This is a great service for anyone seeking real-time feedback, an idea partner, or to build their writing skills. This package is usually done over a period of 3, 6, or 12 months.
Developmental Editing
This service is best when you have a full or nearly finished draft and would like big-picture editorial feedback on structure and how to improve and position your book. I will review your material and deliver a detailed developmental letter with recommendations and inline comments throughout the manuscript that will help inform your next draft. This also includes 2–4 60-minute editorial calls to go over positioning and collaborate on editorial decisions together. A Developmental Review can typically be done in 2–4 weeks.
Subediting (Full Manuscript)
This type of editing is the deep line work and is the last step in the editing process before going to copyediting. A subedit is usually two rounds of line edits to address structure, and sentence-by-sentence stylistic writing, tone, pacing, and much more. This service usually takes about 8–12 weeks to complete.
Ghostwriting
This includes ghostwriting manuscripts and proposals. For authors who know what they want to say but have busy schedules, partial ghostwriting is a good option and offers a mix of help editing and writing passages in your voice. Ghostwriting a full manuscript typically takes 6–12 months.
Embodied Writing &
Creativity Coaching
All creatives—from authors with millions of followers to budding writers—encounter many of the same inner obstacles. At some point or another, you may face self-doubt, procrastination, writer’s block, and inevitably the fear of stepping into the literary spotlight. These moments can feel scary, confusing, and even downright paralyzing. Through my training with the Embody Lab, a somatic trauma-informed coaching approach, combined with my years of experience walking authors through these stages, I can help you navigate the inner journey of the book-writing process. This mind-body coaching approach is not therapy, but a way to connect to resources already within you and equip you with somatic exercises and practical tools to manage creative obstacles as they come up. This may include grounding exercises, habit-setting, creating an intentional writing ritual, and practices to step into your confident inner author. This package can be paired with book coaching or booked separately. Click below to learn more or to subscribe to my blog.
Praise
“I have produced three books working with my canny and delightful editor Eva.”
—JOHN LITHGOW, New York Times bestselling author of the Dumpty trilogy
“To Eva, my editor, I owe a world of thanks. Your gifts are also woven throughout this book. Deep bows to you for the emotional support and mountains of energy, structure, and attention you poured into this project.”
—SHELEANA AIYANA
bestselling author of Becoming the One
“I am most indebted to my editor Eva Avery… whose meticulous, thoughtful, and wise editing has been much appreciated and has certainly improved the final product.”
—BRIAN PRIMACK, MD, PhD
author of You Are What You Click
“This book is truly a product of a writer-editor match made in heaven. I am so grateful for Eva’s passion and vision... Our many conversations and her confidence in the book and, ultimately, in me guided me to the finish line. I am humbled and most grateful.”
—CAITLIN O’CONNELL, PhD
author of Wild Rituals
“I want to thank Eva Avery for her incredible care and creativity throughout the editing process.”
—DAN CABLE, PhD
author of Exceptional