Jessica Barber is the owner of New Life Editing Solutions where she offers editing and author coaching for both traditionally and independently published authors. She is passionate about teaching and equipping both authors and beginning editors to seek excellence in their work, for the glory of the Kingdom.
She is the author of Beyond the Beats: How to Write a Romance Readers Can’t Resist, as well as the co-author of the bestselling Romance Writers Encyclopedia Series which currently includes Romance Character Tropes and Romance Storyline Tropes, with Volume 3, Romance Relationship Tropes, releasing in the fall of 2024.
Jessica lives in the Ozarks of southwest Missouri with her husband of twelve years, their five children, and five dogs. When she is not busy working or tending the needs of her family, she can be found milling about the farm she both loves and hates (sometimes simultaneously) caring for goats, cows, hogs, chickens, and any other animal her husband wanders home with.
Editing for Romance Authors
Go beyond the basics of editing love stories to help your authors meet the expectations of romance readers and deliver a compelling story. Romance novels often get a bad rap for being formulaic, predictable, and shallow, but these stories don’t have to be! In this session, Jessica will cover how editors can help authors craft a compelling story that delivers on these expectations without sacrificing quality and depth. Go beyond the basic principles of the romance genre to help your clients not only meet the content expectations of their target audience but also guide them in enhancing and improving their craft for a love story that is truly irresistible.
Essentials of Story Coaching
Story coaching is an excellent way to expand your developmental or substantive editing business. Learn the fundamental principles of story coaching, understand the unique role of a story coach, and begin to develop a personalized coaching process. We will discuss effective techniques for guiding clients through their creative journeys, providing invaluable feedback, and fostering a supportive environment. In this workshop, Jessica will equip you with the knowledge and skills to become a confident and inspiring story coach.