Editing and Writing Coaching

Make your voice shine.

With a background in journalism and ministry, my priority is getting to know you so that I can help your personality come through in your project. I specialize in academic writing and editing in the humanities (including essays, journal articles, theses, dissertations, and books) with a particular emphasis in Christian spirituality, ministry, the Bible, and theology. My clientele, however, spans across fields, genres, formats, and styles.

I pride myself that I have never had a client come back to me dissatisfied with my work. That is because I communicate thoroughly on the front end and approach projects as a collaborative partnership rather than a transaction.

What you have to say matters. Let me help you share it with the world.

I customize my approach depending on my client's particular needs:

  • I charge $50 an hour for proofreading for grammar and, if applicable, doing proper citations and formatting. I am experienced with and up to date on all the citation styles: Chicago/Turabian, APA, AP, and MLA. Copy editing and citations are usually the very last step in a project.

  • Line editing entails improving flow, syntax, clarity, and brevity. It can also include copyediting and citations, depending on where you are in the writing process. I work hard to maintain my clients’ voice and personality even as I improve their writing. I typically charge $100 an hour for line editing.

  • Content evaluation entails broad strokes feedback on your project as a whole, including approach, organization, style, and any other broad concerns you may have. Ideally, content evaluation is done in the early-to-mid stages of the writing process to avoid redundant labor. I typically charge $75 an hour for content evaluation. This can be done via conversation (i.e., before you start writing) or via documents (i.e., whatever you have written down so far).

  • I would love to walk alongside you from start to finish on your project. I will serve as an ongoing writing coach to help you brainstorm ideas, organize your content, strategize your approach, refine your writing in every draft, and do final edits. I charge $100 an hour for coaching, or we can negotiate a flat rate for a project.

  • Through conversations about your ideas, I can create content for you from scratch in your voice. I charge $200 an hour for ghost writing, or we can negotiate a flat rate for your project. (Please note that I will not accept any projects that would constitute plagiarism or would violate codes of academic integrity.)

  • Whether you are still mastering the English language, or you are a native speaker hoping for a greater technical grasp on English to improve your reading and writing skills, I would love to work with you. I help people of all ages and stages of life master written and verbal English. I typically charge $75 an hour, but ask me about the availability of scholarships.

Let’s connect!

Interested in working together? Me, too! Fill out some info, and I will be in touch soon to book a free consultation.

Hear from some of my clients and references:

  • "When it came time to copy edit my tenure materials, I turned to Falon Barton because I knew she would handle the materials with detail and care, as if it were her career on the line. She helped me make sure my file was pristine. She also helped me with research and writing on a long-term book project on the Social Gospel muckrakers, leading to a published journal article and a book chapter. Her professionalism and precision will perfect any project."

    Dr. Christina Littlefield
    Associate Professor of Journalism and Religion and Currents Magazine Adviser at Pepperdine University

  • "College professors and journal editors have at least one thing in common: they love to read authors who write well and edit carefully. Falon has those skills, and that's why I've been proud to have several of her articles published in the journal I edit. She is also a skilled writing coach and manuscript editor. "

    Dr. Ron Bruner
    Director of Doctor of Ministry Research at Abilene Christian University and Editor of Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

  • “Falon's editing expertise in my peer-reviewed publication was an incomparable investment. She got my paper publication-ready in record time by improving clarity, ensuring consistent formatting, and converting passive constructions into necessary active voice. ”

    Dr. Tiffany A. Dahlman
    Assistant Dean of Vocational Formation and Program Director, B.S. Christian Ministry and Spiritual Formation at Abilene Christian University

    (Assisted with a published journal article.)

  • "I cannot say enough good things about working with Falon. Her thoughtful and intentional feedback has helped me become a more focused writer. Whether it is tightening prose, teasing out ideas, or enhancing clarity, her skills as an editor elevate my work. She has undoubtedly become my first choice when I need an editor, and I say that as someone who is very picky when it comes to editing."

    Dr. Jennifer Schroeder
    Summit Director for the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry and Director for the Center for Women in Christian Ministry at Abilene Christian University

Relevant editing and writing credentials: