Jenna’s Consulting: The One-Stop Shop for Writers

“If you have a writer problem, I can help solve it. If you want a traditional solution, I’ve taught it. Whether you want a creative, fresh approach or old-school editing, I’m your girl.”

Writers!

● Are you thinking about a project and need a jumpstart?
● Have you reached the revision doldrums and need direction and a recharge?
● Are you on sub to agents and receiving the “There is much to admire here, but ultimately I had to pass….” letter?
● Do you need to know how to market your book? Create/amp up your presence on social media?

I’ve been teaching and coaching writers since 1997, when I started running short fiction and novel workshops for Boston University and Grub Street Writers. I’ve taught dozens of fiction workshops and seminars on everything from structure to backstory, manuscript editing to marketing, speaking to social media, including a 20+ year novel workshop whose authors keep returning for more support and feedback. In my marketing classes, knowing from personal experience that writers have to actively promote our published works, I’ve focused on out-of-the-box as well as foundational tactics. (When I say out-of-the-box: I spoke to over 800 book clubs in person for my first novel alone.)

Among the services I offer as a consultant:

● Idea development
● Book development (novels and memoirs are my areas of expertise)
● Helping writers develop outlines—charting out chapters and scenes to ensure even pacing
● Reverse editing: analysis of existing manuscript to assess and improve pacing
● Writer process advice and plan development
● Partial /full manuscript consultation
● Query letter development and editing
● Submission plan development
● Writer marketing plan development
● Social media coaching
● Writer public speaking
● Promotion, launch, and tour planning
● General queries—any writer question you have

...and a few other services that have proven helpful to writers:

● Tarot readings for authors
● Character fashionista—advising on what characters would wear
● Writer walk & talk, because verbalizing and talking through writer issues often jogs loose stubborn plot problems. (My black Lab Henry Higgins is happy to help with this one.)

My rate is $150/ hour. Please send me an email: jenna@jennablum.com

I can’t wait to help you get your project out into the world.

Novels I’ve worked on as a consultant and workshop leader include: Julie Gerstenblatt (DAUGHTERS OF NANTUCKET); Jane Roper (THE SOCIETY OF SHAME); Whitney Scharer (THE AGE OF LIGHT); Jenn DeLeon (BORDERLESS); Trisha Blanchet (HERRICK’S END trilogy); Richard Fifield (THE FLOOD GIRLS); Grace Talusan (THE BODY PAPERS); Henriette Lazaridis (TERRA NOVA); Randy Susan Meyers (THE MURDERER’S DAUGHTERS); Kris Frieswick (THE GHOST MANUSCRIPT); Elizabeth DeVeer (THE OCEAN IN WINTER); A.X. Ahmad (THE CARETAKER); Javed Jahangir (GHOST ALLEY); Iris Gomez (TRY TO REMEMBER). Forthcoming titles include BUNYAN by Mark Cecil and FOSTER ROAD by Joe Moldover (2024).

TESTIMONIALS

“I began reading [Jenna’s] editorial letter with bated breath. Honestly, I held my breath. By page two, there were tears. Not of despair, but fat, roly-poly tears of gratitude. This person really got what I was trying to do with this story. Her comments were insightful, creative, innovative, and problem-solving. And they were not all about my comma issues. Her critiques were macro and micro, and delivered in a very kind, digestible manner. Some nice things were said about the work, and there was a balance of suggestions and questions that made me think YES! OF COURSE! And also, I COULD TRY THAT! and occasionally, WHY DID I NOT SEE THAT?” ~ Read author Liza Nash Taylor’s full essay for Writer Unboxed about my editorial services here.

“Jenna is a compassionate developmental editor and teacher--one who understands the writer's heart. She brings an observant eye to the beauty in one's manuscript along with keen insights into where a story might be better structured, delve deeper, or effect a stronger emotional impact.”

~ Tori Whitaker, bestselling author of MILLICENT GLENN'S LAST WISH and A MATTER OF HAPPINESS

“From examining and critiquing theme, plot, and structure, down to the details of scene organization and dialogue, Jenna Blum’s exceptional feedback and editing were invaluable during the development of my novel. Her outstanding skills as a manuscript consultant, coupled with her talent as a New York Times and international bestselling author, will have me reaching out to her again and again with future projects.”

~ Charles Garabedian, author of THE SAVIORS

“Jenna went above and beyond in every aspect of my manuscript consultation. From the first, where she asked me to tell her what was non-negotiable so that she would know what I was not willing to change, to reading her conversational in-text comments (funny, positive, insightful), to her two- page letter with incredibly helpful big-picture comments, working with Jenna was an absolute joy. Jenna's passion, positivity, and ability to dive deeply into the heart of my story made me feel as if I had received an individualized masterclass in novel writing, pinpointing exactly the areas I most needed to work on, in the clearest possible way. I will be forever grateful to Jenna for all of her insights and positivity, every step of the way.”

~ Catherine Mazur- Jeffries, author of ROSE IN TIME

“Jenna is the Goldilocks of editing. Her suggestions never go past your comfort level, and her edits are always just enough to make the characters and the story shine. She is wonderful to work with from start to finish, and her comments are grounded in a deep and nuanced understanding of both the writer and the book's audience.”

~ C.A. (name withheld), attorney

“Jenna’s suggestions opened an entirely new dimension to my work that I was previously blind to. Not only did my consultation with her change everything, but her absolute confidence in my work was exactly what I needed.”

~ Jillian Forsberg, author of THE RHINO KEEPER

“Jenna's critique was invaluable to my novel-in-progress. She combed through my pages with a surgeon's focus and a cheerleader's attitude. Her feedback saved me months, possibly years, of rewrites and do-overs. I can't recommend Jenna enough!”

~ Dell Smith, author of NAUSET TIDES