My Clients & Students
Below are just a * few * of the fabulous writers
I've worked with over the years.
I mentor writers of all levels and genres, from high-powered literary agents and NYT best-selling authors to brand new writers who are ready to begin the work.
“I appreciate all the help Heather gave me on this book—I couldn’t have done it without that amazing Pneuma Creative workshop at Highlights and all the ideas and support from her and the other participants!”
🖋 Recent Manuscript Critique Testimonies (thanks, everyone!)
Heather is smart, thoughtful, kind, and also very direct! She was able to give me constructive criticism that felt supportive and encouraging, rather than disheartening. She's not a cheerleader type so if you're just looking for positive affirmation with no critical feedback she's not your person - she'll tell you to your face what's not working, and then help you figure out how to fix it. In our 90 minute post-edit meeting she also offered a lot of advice on navigating the publishing world and networking within the various guilds and organizations. As a newbie to the industry I've found this invaluable! As a trans/nonbinary person I also felt safe and affirmed working with her. Aces all around. - Elijah S. (YA sci-fi / fantasy)
Heather is an incredible editor and I will be using her on all my projects going forward. Even before I accepted her offer, she was extremely detailed and clear about what she offers. She delivered all of that and more! I feel like she's really helped me take my novel to the next level and was able to help me brainstorm and talk through any blocks I had. I would recommend her a million times over if I could! - Jasmine A. (YA contemporary)
If I could give Heather more than five stars, I would. Her feedback was thoughtful, insightful, empathetic, and right on the money. Honestly, I felt like she could read my mind. Heather helped me unlock and untangle every challenge I am facing with my novel. She went above and beyond to provide resources tailored to my specific needs. I can't say enough great things about her. I hope to work with her again on future projects. - Amy B. (adult historical fiction)
Heather is a superstar editor! I am so glad I connected with her to edit my work in progress. She provided me with helpful and usable feedback, tools, and a game plan to get the areas needing work in shape. I can't recommend her enough. I was on the fence about the value of professional editing because it is expensive, but now that I've gone through the process with Heather, I can't believe I ever hesitated. She is fantastic, and the process is gold. If you're unsure about diving into professional editing, take the plunge! You will absolutely thank yourself later. - Julie S. (middle grade novel)
I hired Heather as a developmental editor. I needed to figure out a shape for my novel, as well as getting feedback about voice, story and character arcs, etc. Heather was a joy to work with. She provided TONS of support in our back and forth messaging, as well as really great materials to dive deeper into my writing and to shape my project differently. I've yet to DO the reshaping (we'll see if I've got the writing chops to do so...or not!), but brainstorming with her was helpful. I referred to our work together as a "mini-MFA." Not that I've earned an MFA or know exactly what that would entail, but I imagine this was a sliver of that experience and much more cost effective. Heather is a person with heart - I was writing a novel based on the real events surrounding the suicide of my son, so it is a project that still feels very tender (even 13 years later), and Heather was SO tender with me, respectful and encouraging. I highly recommend her. - Celenia D. (fictionalized memoir)
Heather was an amazing developmental editor to work with. What used to be an overwhelming task of aimlessly making my book better, has now become a structured revision with so many resources and insights. I now feel like writing the book I always wanted to write is not only possible, but probable.
Heather truly saw into the vision of what I was trying to create and helped me identify what was and wasn’t working towards that vision. She helped me brainstorm how to improve the areas that weren’t working, and gave me tips and resources to help me grow my weaknesses into strengths. Already, I feel like I’ve become a better writer. I’d definitely recommend Heather for those looking for a developmental editor. You won’t regret it.
- Laura M. (YA fantasy)
Heather is exactly what my book needed. I learned SO MUCH and now have such a strong foundation to go back and make edits from. I also feel like I will be able to take what I learned and easily apply that to future projects. I highly recommend Heather!
- Claire C. (Adult fantasy)
Working with Heather has been an invaluable piece of my WIP and creative journey. Heather has a well of information and advice on editing and crafting, and is a joy to work with. I am still soaking up everything Heather provided and incredibly grateful for it.
- Jake S. (adult literary / contemporary)
Heather has been incredible to work with. While being very supportive, she asks the tough questions to really help you get to the heart of your writing. I was blown away with all the extra material and support in the form of documents, readings, worksheets, exercises, and even meditations. She’s made me very excited about the daunting task of editing. But more importantly, she’s made me feel very capable. - TJ F. (YA contemporary)
🙏 More Kind Words
You Have A Process
“I will carry forward with me forever the process that we uncovered. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Things I thought were hurdles turned out to actually be steps in my own process that I wasn’t valuing (and therefore working against). It was sort of like she helped me co-author the book of Kirsten, the writer.
Heather’s work helped me see the positive in all of the steps of my personal writing process AND taught me how to leverage them to my benefit.
Now when I am stuck, I can look at what is going on, and figure out where I am indeed in my creative process, and then go back through the tactics we developed for me, to either push forward, or get back on track.
...for the first time in a long time – the writing is my focus – not all of the BS I did before that was keeping me from the actual writing. ”
“I was blown away by the Process Workshop led by Heather Demetrios at The Well! Going into our conversation, I was convinced I would be the first writer she worked with who truly didn’t have a writing process. I’ve written a few novels, but it always felt like a swirling vortex of chaos that left me with a mess of a first draft and an overwhelming amount of revisions.
But through Heather’s stress-free, exploratory method, I realized that there is an order and intentionality to the way I write, even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.
Heather’s follow-up suggestions offered concrete ways to access my flow more quickly, reframe my thinking, and embrace my personal writing process. I highly recommend this workshop, as well as all the other amazing resources offered at The Well.”