I had already worked with Dawn in The Blank Page writing group, but I knew I needed more – an editor, a nudger, someone who knew how I write and would encourage me to continue on. Fortunately, Dawn’s 1:1 sessions provided all of that and more. I ended up with a writing process, a better understanding of what drives my writing, and a list of ideas that should take me through the next six months!

I hired Dawn to look over a full-length poetry manuscript that I had been working on for a while. It had been through so many different reiterations, and I was looking for an expert to lend it a second pair of sharp, critical eyes. Quite simply, Dawn breathed new life into the project. She was thorough in her observations and in her notes, and she was clear, direct, yet kind in her edits. She injected the manuscript with more focus, more order, and, frankly, more heart. She helped me reorganize poems and sections, and she even offered me an exciting, new title. She also provided me with an extensive and carefully chosen list of publications to which I should consider submitting. I have worked with Dawn on other writing and teaching projects over the last few years, and her dependability, sincerity, thoughtfulness, and dedication to her craft is always evident and appreciated. She saves the day, and I would work with her again in a heartbeat.

Dawn is knowledgeable, professional, and organized. She held me accountable and focused with deadlines. After working with her for three months, my characters became more rounded, my writing became more vivid and descriptive, my short-story manuscript is stronger, and I was able to fine-tune my writing voice.

I was in the last stages of writing my memoir and I was looking for someone to edit, proofread, and organize my chapters when a friend recommended Dawn. She signed on to the project and worked with me for several months. In that time, I observed Dawn’s strong commitment and dedication. The subject matter of my memoir is raw, but when it came to constructive criticism and rewriting, Dawn was honest, competent and direct – yet always compassionate and respectful.

Dawn has been instrumental in helping me write my first poetry chapbook. She’s professional, accomplished, and organized. Her command of grammar paired with her artistic ear lead me to hone images and better highlight my writing style. She gave details, specific suggestions for each poem, but also let me make final editing decisions. This is where the opportunity for growth happens. It’s that necessary bridge between critique group and final product, which motivated me to stay steady on the path to polish my manuscript.