Friends of Literary Lift

"Jess helps writers see what truly matters to them in their story and in their storytelling, and she uses a blend of curiosity, playfulness, and serious craft to take their manuscript from wherever it is to where it needs to be, always honoring their personal voice and style. I know this not only from the impact she’s had on my own writing, but also from witnessing firsthand how she’s lifted up other writers. When we worked together on a literary magazine, her talent and hard work were undeniable: every returning writer who’d been edited by Jess requested to work with her again, eagerly praising her insights and her warm, encouraging approach. One went so far as to say that Jess had changed her life. If you’ve had a chance to work with her yourself, as I have, this would come as no surprise. To work with Jess is to embark on a journey of discovery and joy."

"Many people say editing is the worst part of the process ... because they have an editor who takes their work and practically butchers it. This is something I was terrified of! Not only did Jess enhance my work, she made sure the words she enhanced still sound like me—albeit a much better and more sophisticated version of me. My opinions, thoughts, questions, and feelings were always ... treated with concern. At the end of the entire process, while Jess was still my editor (and boy, is she a good one), it was more like discussing a project I care about deeply with a friend who wanted to make sure I achieved my highest potential. If that is what you are looking for, do the thing. Contact her. She is friendly, she is approachable, and she is phenomenal at what she does."

"Lindsey... is easy to work with, communicative, and provided edits that greatly improved the final product. I often struggle with grammar issues and typos that spellcheckers fail to catch, so Lindsey's attention to detail was extremely helpful. I will be hiring her again in the future and would greatly recommend her services to anyone in search of an editor."

"I so much appreciate her support and cogent comments. Every writer should welcome with open arms a good editor." Image Credit: Voyage Chicago

"Jess Millman's editorial work is at once generous and exacting, thoughtful and holistic, a unique but crucial combination of qualities in a developmental editor. Any writer fortunate enough to work with Jess . . . can rest easy knowing they are in skilled hands. Jess takes the time to truly understand what the writer hopes to accomplish, adapting her feedback and guidance to the writer's needs and revealing opportunities they might never have discovered otherwise. I've known Jess for many years, having worked with her in academic and professional environments, and I still learn new things about my writing whenever she gives me notes. Do not hesitate to hire Jess for your editorial needs—your writing deserves it!"

"A wealth of knowledge and experience in editing ... alongside the capacity to be engaging and empathetic. She knows how to help people grow."

"The best editor I know. I trust her with my work entirely."

"Jess Millman is a fantastic writer, editor, and listener. She’s edited my material before and always had wonderful suggestions to make the writing stronger, more engaging, and effective ... but she won’t get in the way of your voice, style, or content."

"Jess works with such mastery that it feels like she's right there inside my head, gazing at the same muse. I cannot stress enough how vividly Jess understands 'the vision,' how effectively she captures mood ... Hell, sometimes she nails my style so much, she thinks of things I'd think of before I even dream of them. Every story I've sent her has returned armored and polished and ready to go. Be it grime and gore, teatime with the queen, or everything in between ... I know it will come back tighter, sharper, deadlier!"