Cynthia Merrill Editing -

Summer Weaver

I recently hired Cynthia for a manuscript evaluation, and let me tell you...it was worth every penny. She had such valuable insights that made me feel like she understood my vision just as well (if not better) than I did. I am so excited to incorporate her ideas in my next round of revisions.
Cynthia was the first person I ever shared my manuscript with, and she delivered her feedback in a way that made me feel excited and hopeful about my project instead of overwhelmed by the changes that need to be made.
I would absolutely use Cynthia's services again and I'm recommending her to all my writer friends!

Michael Terry

I've worked with Cynthia on two big projects (a full sized fantasy novel and a fantasy short story) and I plan on continuing to user her services for future short stories. Not only did she delivery amazing feedback, ideas, and suggestions, but she also did so in a fast, professional, and personal manner. I cannot recommend Cynthia enough for any of your editing needs!

Emily Durie

My interactions with Cynthia were positive and constructive! She’s an excellent person to have in your writing corner (I’m glad she’s in mine!). I appreciated her editing skills to better my query letter and synopsis and recommend her expertise to other writers looking to move forward in their literary goals. As a writer herself, she’s sympathetic to the process and encouraging of the efforts made by those she’s consulting.

Brianne Córdova

Cynthia helped me with a query letter for one of my manuscripts. Her feedback was helpful and specific as she explained why the changes might strengthen my letter, and she was sure to emphasize what I’d already done well with it. I loved having her read it! Having anyone read anything you’d created is very vulnerable, but Cynthia is encouraging and respectful and gives feedback without making you feel inadequate. If anything, I felt more energized to continue the arduous process! I’d love to work with her again!

Christina Harwood

Cynthia is an excellent writing coach. The Finishers Club was exactly what I needed, and I didn't even know it. She provides writers with a safe place to discover and cultivate their craft, which is the worth it's weight in gold. I was able to turn my concept into a full fledged novel under her helpful hands. I appreciate the skills that Cynthia shared with me and what she helped me to discover about myself. I am so grateful for her program.

Rebecca Bobincheck

I loved working with Cynthia Merrill. What surprised and impressed me most was that she took the time to comment specifically about things in my manuscript she really liked. Working on the editing process was so much more enjoyable when it was balanced with the positive feedback. I also appreciated that Cynthia seemed to "get" my manuscript. She seemed to clearly understand what I was trying to accomplish and that meant a lot to me. Lastly, I appreciated that she was so prompt in her turn around time.

Brigeta Benson

I worked with Cynthia the last few months in her Finisher’s Club Group. Previously I had attended a writing workshop with Cynthia and trusted her editing skills. Signing up for her group was really helpful at this point in my journey as a writer. I wasn’t always able to attend the meetings but it kept me writing and helped me solve a major flaw in my book. I really struggle with commitment to my writing when life throws curveballs. Despite the inevitable life challenges that happened, Cynthia’s group helped me stay on task and accountable. She’s knowledgeable in the craft and from one of our initial class meetings I was led to solve a plot problem that has had me stuck for a long while in my revision. Thank goodness she talked me down from a complete rewrite of my novel.

Cynthia was quite insightful at helping me see where I’m getting in the way of myself and in encouraging me to create a stronger commitment to myself and my goals. She pushed us to see the value in our individual dreams and goals. I felt she honestly cared about our success and growth as writers and human beings. She’s compassionate as well as honest and intelligent. I felt we got the bonus of “writer’s therapy,” working on changing what is distracting us from progressing. I would say Cynthia is wise beyond her years as well as a knowledgeable editor and teacher. She is willing to individualize her mentoring and I would definitely recommend her for helping writers progress in their writing journey.

Jess Schirmer

I had a great experience working with Cynthia on a project near and dear to my heart. I felt like she did a great job at keeping my personal creative voice in my work, yet making it very digestible by my intended audience. Editing projects are not my favorite to work on, and I’m really glad I was able to work with her on this! It made my project so much better!