I believe everyone can be a great storyteller
Hi! I’m Kallista
I’m a developmental editor and book coach dedicated to helping writers just like you achieve their storytelling dreams. Whether you’re navigating the early stages of a novel, stuck in the messy middle, or in revision hell, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
What Makes Me Different?
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I believe there’s no finish line when mastering your craft, which is why I'm always growing. Whether it’s studying the science of learning through courses like iCanStudy or improving my public speaking skills through programs like HEROICspeaking, I want to bring the best version of myself to every client I work with.
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Writing may feel like magic, but the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming or confusing. I take the chaos from storytelling and replace it with clarity and actionable tips—no more throwing spaghetti at the wall.
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When we work together, it’s not about my preferences or vision—it’s about yours. I’m here to understand your voice and bring your creative vision to life.
How did I get here?
Story Grid Certified Editor (2023)
I learned how to developmentally edit a novel through Story Grid. That's a system developed by veteran editor Shawn Coyne, who has over 25 years of experience at the Big Five publishers. This training refined my skills beyond intuition, enabling me to pinpoint a story's weaknesses with precision and offer clear, actionable solutions.
Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach (2024)
Under Jennie Nash (a coach who has launched many writers onto the NYT bestseller list), I learned how to nurture a writer’s potential, guiding them from the spark of an idea to a fully formed novel.
My passion for storytelling started early. In high school, I was the ultimate nerd, volunteering as a beta reader for writers through a Goodreads forum. Figuring out why a scene wasn’t working or why a character fell flat was fascinating to me—and that spark never faded.
After high school, imagine my horror when I realized there was no straightforward path to becoming a developmental editor. Colleges were not teaching this skill.
So, I forged my own path. That’s where I discovered two amazing certification programs that taught me everything I know.
These certifications transformed my approach, moving me from intuition and vague advice to delivering clear, actionable feedback that drives real progress.
Since becoming certified, I’ve taken my passion for helping writers to new heights. Here are just a few of the highlights.
Teaching Assistant to Leslie Watts (Former Editor-in-Chief at Story Grid): I trained new editors in the Story Grid methodology.
Webinar Host for ProWritingAid: I presented on audience expectations for the dark romance genre, sharing insights with hundreds of writers.
Editor at the Killer Nashville Conference: I was invited to the Killer Nashville conference, where I critiqued the first ten pages of writer’s novels.
Coach for the 100-Day Program: I guided writers through completing their first drafts in 100 days at The Write Practice.
Short Story Judge: I judged the fall writing contest at The Write Practice.
Coach and Facilitator for the Mastering Line-by-Line in Fiction: A live Scene Writing Workshop: I trained writers to create great scenes in just six weeks.
Mentor in the Writer-Mentor Program: I guided writers through the process of skill building, from crafting strong sentences to building entire novels.
Why work with me?
Because I know how it feels to be overwhelmed by advice, stuck in analysis paralysis, or unsure of what to do next. I’ve been there, and I’ve dedicated my career to helping writers break through those barriers.
When you work with me, you’re not just getting an editor—you’re getting a creative partner, mentor, and cheerleader who’s invested in your success.