Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Paul M. Maisano
Paul M. Maisano holds an M.F.A. in fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a B.A. from Columbia University. He is a published novelist with ten years of editing, teaching, and coaching experience.
What Clients Have to Say:
“If you’re a new or experienced novelist looking for a top-notch book editor or coach, Paul’s your first choice. He’s the best I’ve worked with, including editors, book-coaches, and professors at an MFA program I attended. He has helped me improve every aspect of my novel: writing habits, style, plot, conflict, tension, voice, POV, character arcs, exposition…all the nitty gritty. I recommend him most enthusiastically.” — Fiction
“Paul is a fantastic editor. He gives honest and candid feedback in a perfectly actionable and constructive manner that I found absolutely invaluable in helping me mature both my ideas in the abstract and my manuscript in particular. I’ve worked with him twice, and look forward to doing so again. Can’t recommend him highly enough!” — Creative Non-fiction
“Working with Paul is like taking an intensive, private Master Class called Revising Your Novel. He sends you a detailed Evaluation Letter that zeroes in on what works and what doesn’t. He offers concrete, specific margin notes and arranges follow-up ‘coaching’ conversations. Paul is direct, supportive, open, and incredibly knowledgeable. He asks tough questions. His keen novelist’s eye for detail is coupled with a gift for seeing the big picture. Personally, he’s a good listener, he’s kind and tactful, a pleasure to work with.” — Fiction
“Working with Paul has been a great experience. He seems to be very involved emotionally and mentally in the story. He’s helped me to really understand the writing process. I think Paul is very genuine and focused on understanding me and what I am trying to say. He developed my ideas into a product that people can read and enjoy.” — Fiction
“This process with Paul has been absolutely marvelous and challenging and edifying and enlightening all at once. Every now and then, we are blessed by someone’s effort and heart in a way that resonates permanently. Paul is one of those rarities to me—someone with the genuine capacity and care to leave me bettered in a deep-down, substantive, kind, and permanent way. For that I am grateful.” — Fiction
SERVICES
Thank you for visiting my profile. My clients have ranged from those with big-name agents, following a traditional publishing path, to those wanting to self-publish. Regardless of a client’s publishing goals, I treat each project with respect and seriousness. I’m honest and supportive, and always willing to draw on and share my own experiences as a published author and member of two M.F.A. programs, where I’ve worked with some of our greatest writers and teachers of writing, including two Pulitzer prize winners and numerous National Book Award winners and nominees.
I believe in a customized approach for each client and edit, and pride myself on being open and flexible in an effort to meet and support clients where they’re at. Reach out and let me know what kind of support you’re looking for. Here are some examples:
Manuscript Evaluation—an in-depth analysis of your manuscript, complete with a roughly 5- to 7-page, single-spaced letter reviewing all relevant craft elements, including language and syntax, narrative style, tone, cultural sensitivity, POV (point of view), structure, pacing, plot, and character. The goal is two-fold: to determine the present state of the manuscript, and to offer concrete advice about what is working and what is not, along with actionable next steps.
Developmental Edit—this is everything noted in the Manuscript Evaluation service plus extensive notes using Track Changes throughout the manuscript. The goal here is to anticipate all the comments, questions, and concerns future agents, editors, and readers might have, so that they can be addressed in a future revision. This can be as prescriptive as the client wishes, but it is always exhaustive, leaving no part of the manuscript untouched. A single-spaced letter of roughly 8 to 12 pages is included, along with a follow-up call for review, in which the letter and manuscript notes are discussed, along with any questions the writer might have.
Coaching—an entirely personalized writing program based on the needs of the client and the project in question. This is designed to support clients revise or develop their manuscripts, and may include help outlining, plotting, structuring, and even drafting. Coaching is available weekly, monthly, or as needed throughout the drafting/revision process. It often follows the Manuscript Evaluation or Developmental Edit.
For further information, including rates and availability, or to set up a meeting, please send a note detailing your editing needs to the following email: paulmmaisano@gmail.com
http://www.paulmatthewmaisano.com
Years in the field: 10
Years freelancing: 6
Paul Maisano
Paul M. Maisano holds an M.F.A. in fiction from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and a B.A. from Columbia University. He is a published novelist with ten years of editing, teaching, and coaching experience.
What Clients Have to Say:
“If you’re a new or experienced novelist looking for a top-notch book editor or coach, Paul’s your first choice. He’s the best I’ve worked with, including editors, book-coaches, and professors at an MFA program I attended. He has helped me improve every aspect of my novel: writing habits, style, plot, conflict, tension, voice, POV, character arcs, exposition…all the nitty gritty. I recommend him most enthusiastically.” — Fiction
“Paul is a fantastic editor. He gives honest and candid feedback in a perfectly actionable and constructive manner that I found absolutely invaluable in helping me mature both my ideas in the abstract and my manuscript in particular. I’ve worked with him twice, and look forward to doing so again. Can’t recommend him highly enough!” — Creative Non-fiction
“Working with Paul is like taking an intensive, private Master Class called Revising Your Novel. He sends you a detailed Evaluation Letter that zeroes in on what works and what doesn’t. He offers concrete, specific margin notes and arranges follow-up ‘coaching’ conversations. Paul is direct, supportive, open, and incredibly knowledgeable. He asks tough questions. His keen novelist’s eye for detail is coupled with a gift for seeing the big picture. Personally, he’s a good listener, he’s kind and tactful, a pleasure to work with.” — Fiction
“Working with Paul has been a great experience. He seems to be very involved emotionally and mentally in the story. He’s helped me to really understand the writing process. I think Paul is very genuine and focused on understanding me and what I am trying to say. He developed my ideas into a product that people can read and enjoy.” — Fiction
“This process with Paul has been absolutely marvelous and challenging and edifying and enlightening all at once. Every now and then, we are blessed by someone’s effort and heart in a way that resonates permanently. Paul is one of those rarities to me—someone with the genuine capacity and care to leave me bettered in a deep-down, substantive, kind, and permanent way. For that I am grateful.” — Fiction
SERVICES
Thank you for visiting my profile. My clients have ranged from those with big-name agents, following a traditional publishing path, to those wanting to self-publish. Regardless of a client’s publishing goals, I treat each project with respect and seriousness. I’m honest and supportive, and always willing to draw on and share my own experiences as a published author and member of two M.F.A. programs, where I’ve worked with some of our greatest writers and teachers of writing, including two Pulitzer prize winners and numerous National Book Award winners and nominees.
I believe in a customized approach for each client and edit, and pride myself on being open and flexible in an effort to meet and support clients where they’re at. Reach out and let me know what kind of support you’re looking for. Here are some examples:
Manuscript Evaluation—an in-depth analysis of your manuscript, complete with a roughly 5- to 7-page, single-spaced letter reviewing all relevant craft elements, including language and syntax, narrative style, tone, cultural sensitivity, POV (point of view), structure, pacing, plot, and character. The goal is two-fold: to determine the present state of the manuscript, and to offer concrete advice about what is working and what is not, along with actionable next steps.
Developmental Edit—this is everything noted in the Manuscript Evaluation service plus extensive notes using Track Changes throughout the manuscript. The goal here is to anticipate all the comments, questions, and concerns future agents, editors, and readers might have, so that they can be addressed in a future revision. This can be as prescriptive as the client wishes, but it is always exhaustive, leaving no part of the manuscript untouched. A single-spaced letter of roughly 8 to 12 pages is included, along with a follow-up call for review, in which the letter and manuscript notes are discussed, along with any questions the writer might have.
Coaching—an entirely personalized writing program based on the needs of the client and the project in question. This is designed to support clients revise or develop their manuscripts, and may include help outlining, plotting, structuring, and even drafting. Coaching is available weekly, monthly, or as needed throughout the drafting/revision process. It often follows the Manuscript Evaluation or Developmental Edit.
For further information, including rates and availability, or to set up a meeting, please send a note detailing your editing needs to the following email: paulmmaisano@gmail.com
