Tia Sprague
Developmental Editor · Line Editor · Book Coach
About
I’m a developmental editor, line editor, and book coach specializing in literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction. I hold an MS in Publishing with an editorial specialization, and I’ve spent my career helping fiction writers identify what’s working in their manuscripts and, more importantly, what isn’t, and why.
My editorial approach is honest, specific, and rooted in craft. I see every word and construct the picture the words say, not what they want to say. Then I work with you to bridge the gap. I don’t give vague feedback or tell you what you want to hear. I diagnose structural problems, track your character arc against the demands of your genre, and give you a clear path to revision. Whether your novel needs a global restructure or a scene-level tune-up, I’ll tell you exactly where the story loses its footing and how to get it back.
For writers with a story to tell, seeking guidance to get it on the page, I offer book coaching throughout the drafting process. This includes craft development, outline and structure work, and chapter-level feedback as you write. Coaching has a defined scope and clear goals. I’ll walk alongside you until you’re ready to work independently.
I work with writers pursuing traditional publication and am experienced in evaluating manuscripts against industry standards, from query letter positioning to the structural and craft expectations agents and acquisitions editors are looking for. I’ve worked with debut novelists across genres and am comfortable meeting writers where they are, whether they’re working from a detailed outline or revising a full draft.
If you’re looking for an editor who will take your work seriously, engage with it deeply, and give you feedback you can actually use, I’m here. Let’s talk.
Services
Every manuscript is different. Here’s how I can help.
Developmental Editing
A full structural assessment of your manuscript. I evaluate narrative arc, character development, pacing, genre execution, and scene construction, then deliver a detailed editorial letter with a clear revision roadmap.
Copyediting & Line Editing
From paragraph structure down to sentence-level clarity, I work across every level of your prose — voice, rhythm, pacing, word choice, consistency, and correctness. I prepare manuscripts for the next stage, whether that’s submission to agents or a final proofread.
Book Coaching
For writers with a story to tell, seeking guidance to get it on the page. This includes craft development, outline and structure work, and chapter-level feedback as you write. Defined scope, clear goals, and an endpoint.
Sample Work
The best way to understand what I do is to see it. Here is an anonymized excerpt from a developmental assessment I compiled for a recent client.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Not sure I’m the right fit? Let’s start with a conversation. Book a free 30-minute call and tell me about your project. Or send me an email with a brief description of your work and where you are in the process. Please include the first 2-3 pages of your manuscript or a short writing sample.
