Characterized by the belief that the parts of something are interconnected, and can be explained only by reference to the whole.
“The solution demands a holistic approach and a strategic vision of what can be achieved”
Oxford Language Dictionary
Do you write fiction or memoir that carries a message?
Do you have a manuscript that’s ready for revision?
Welcome!
You’re in the right place
Too often, writers will finish their novel and then immediately jump into polishing words without examining the soundness of the manuscript’s foundation first.
They end up frustrated because something isn’t quite right. Readers aren’t engaging, and they don’t know why.
But here’s the thing:
Writing a novel that WORKS is like building a house. It doesn’t matter how many beautiful paintings you hang on the wall, they’re ALL going to hang crooked if the house is sitting on a crooked foundation.
Skipping this stage of revision and going straight to copy-editing means not addressing those (sometimes fatal) flaws in your book’s foundation.
What Professionally-Minded Writers Know:
The hard work of revision is where the magic happens.
It’s taking a collection of chapters that loosely hang together and turning it into a book that WORKS. A book that makes an emotional impact on the reader. A book that has a POINT.
Revision is what takes your book from good to great – and in order to do that, you need a plan.
Good writing is essentially rewriting.
Roald Dahl
Are you a writer with something to say?
Do you have a POINT to make that goes beyond the basic story you’re writing? Are you a peaceful, or “quiet” activist who wants to help heal the world one reader at a time?
Stories are a powerful tool for change.
How? By bringing to awareness, or normalizing through fiction, the attitudes and behaviors needed to bring change into being.
Maybe you feel desperate about the climate crisis, and you want to address environmental awareness in your women’s fiction, or memoir.
Maybe you’re passionate about social justice and you want to lead by the example of your characters in a work of speculative or literary fiction.
Maybe you’d like your novel to be a reflection of the world you want to live in…or a post-apocalyptic warning of the world you don’t.
By taking a holistic approach to the revision process, we’ll make sure your point – your theme – your story’s aboutness is on the page, engaging the reader, and putting your message out there into the world.
Let’s get your story out there so it can get to work making a difference.
To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.”
Herman Melville
Hi! My name is Nita.
I work with writers just like you who want the guidance of a professional to help them make and carry out a revision plan for their manuscript that’s true to their vision – that says what they want it to say.
As an Author Accelerator trained and certified book coach, I provide the tools, accountability, editorial support, & cheer leading (yes, cheer leading!) that writers NEED to do their best work.
I don’t just work with your words, I work with YOU, the writer behind the words. The writer with something to say.
We all want to make a mark on the world. I make mine by helping you make yours.
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”
Nita’s developmental edit of the first thirty pages of my manuscript was extremely helpful. She provided insightful comments on the theme and other foundational elements as well as detailed line edits to highlight areas for improvement. Her suggestions were delivered with kindness, encouragement, and enthusiasm. I highly recommend her services.
Cheryl Hystad
No question I had was too trivial or too difficult
Nita gave me the tough love I needed in the gentlest of packages. No question I had was too trivial or too difficult. A master listener, she stuck with me like a rock through a gamut of emotions until I fully understood her feedback. If you work with Nita, you’ll become a better writer.
Krista Lynn White, author
When my motivation starts to dwindle, Nita always inspires me to get back on track
Nita Collins is everything I was looking for in a developmental editor. Her reviews always arrive promptly and are very thorough and insightful, providing plenty of positive reinforcement along with gentle constructive criticism. She is very knowledgeable and backs up her recommendations with links to appropriate references. Never harsh or critical, she is, nonetheless, honest and does an excellent job of highlighting problems and making helpful suggestions for improvement. When my motivation starts to dwindle, Nita always inspires me to get back on track. She is warm and responsive, and I highly recommend Nita Collins without reservation, five stars!
Wendy Schaenen
Knowing that Nita was expecting my pages made me write faster and more focused
Knowing that Nita was expecting my pages made me write faster and more focused. She offered invaluable support with accountability, chasing away my imposter syndrome with gentle encouragement, line-editing, word choice feedback and suggestions (as English is my second language), and more. But above all, our bi-weekly coaching calls were a place for me to brainstorm and put into words what often felt muddled or undefined in my head, allowing me to bring my story to life on the page with sharp focus. She is truly a wonderful writing partner, and anyone would be lucky to work with her bringing their novel to life.
Lidjia Hilje, author, editor, book coach
SLANTING TOWARDS THE SEA (Simon & Schuster, August 2025)
…allowed me to see the possibilities of what my novel can become–published!
Nita’s insights into my manuscript helped me to discover the way to break into the next round of revisions. Her examples illustrated how subtle the difference between telling and showing can be, and her breakdown of the weaknesses in my manuscript into red, yellow, and green light issues will be my guide as I work to take my draft to the next level. Offered with kindness, humour, and tough love, Nita’s comments and editor’s letter have allowed me to see the possibilities of what my novel can become–published!
Melanie Marttila, author
I’m thrilled with the suggestions she’s made to make my writing, characters, and story stronger
I met Nita by chance when we exchanged pages on the Women’s Fiction Writers’ Association website. Myself a long-time professional editor, I quickly realized I was in the hands of a naturally gifted editor by the type of feedback she was giving me. I immediately hired her to edit the rest of my book, and I’m thrilled with the suggestions she’s made to make my writing, characters, and story stronger. I highly recommend Nita’s editorial services.
Betsy Thorpe, author & editor
Empathetic and insightful
Nita’s evaluation of my manuscript was empathetic and insightful. Her input was professional and constructive and consistently pushed me to think more deeply about the story I’ve written. I would be more than happy to work with her again and sincerely recommend her to anyone looking for an editor or writing coach.
Susan Morris
Nita has made me a better writer
Nita has made me a better writer. Simple as that. She’s brilliant at showing versus telling, is detail oriented but can still see the big picture. If this is your first book, or your fiftieth, you will become a better writer with Nita by your side.
Holly Kerr, Author
just the right balance of kindness and brutal honesty
Nita was an absolute joy to work with. She was communicative, available, and willing to work around my schedule. Her feedback was thorough, insightful, clear, and delivered with just the right balance of kindness and brutal honesty. I can’t recommend her highly enough!
Natalie Dale, author
Specific, constructive feedback
Nita was great to work with on my manuscript! She provided specific, constructive feedback, and I was impressed with the depth of her critique and quick turnaround time.
Courtney Shosh
I am so grateful for her skills in helping me hone the story I have to tell
I am so fortunate to have Nita as a critique partner. With her innate skill, she pointed out places where readers would benefit from being inside my character’s head and heart. She also, in her inimitable way, affirmed the specific gifts I have in writing and firmly addressed the major fear and shortcoming that undermined my story and its ability to attract potential readers. I am so grateful for her skills in helping me hone the story I have to tell.
Lisa Bodenheim
I loved working with her
Nita’s insight on the writing process was very helpful. She showed me what my project needed, and gave me the extra push I needed to get back on track. I loved working with her. She’s positive and also encouraging.
Kim Baccellia, author
I acknowledge with gratitude and respect that I live and work in the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc People in British Columbia, as well as the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council of the Yukon, Canada.
