Welcome to Word Doc

A no-B.S. healthcare plan for your Substack, medicated by a journalist (and pun-lover) with over 20 years of experience writing and editing for reputable media outlets and authors.

So you’re on Substack. Congratulations! You and everyone else. :) Now, let’s make your words shine. As a journalist for the past 20+ years, who’s been both a freelance writer and a staff editor, I’ve seen my fair share of copy and so-called “content.” I’ve also witnessed this platform grow as a reader and contributor, and have been asked to subscribe to and support countless newsletters. I’ve read some stellar writing. I’ve been educated and entertained. But you know what can kill the mood? Typos, broken links, incorrect information, run-on sentences, and the biggest offender: too much meandering copy in one post.

With Substack, the onus is on us as creators to do it all: write, edit, copyedit, illustrate, publish, and promote. As a result, it allows us to potentially make a respectable living and manifest our own destiny—woohoo! But it also means quality can take a hit.

And listen: It happens! Also, every writer needs an editor. Even editors need editors! Plus, these days, everyone is in a rush, doing a gazillion things, and no one has time to polish and perfect. And maybe being polished doesn’t matter to you. Or maybe you think your readers don’t care or won’t notice. But here’s the thing: First impressions matter! Your vision and your efforts matter! How you present yourself matters! (Ask me how long I spent working on the logo for Word Doc and this very important first post. Answer: Too long.) It matters even more if your goal is to succeed and make an income from what you publish in this space where everyone is watching—be it your loyal followers, future employers, ex-lovers, parents’ pickleball partner, or kids’ English teacher.

This is where I come in.

Whether you’ve already got thousands of subscribers and can’t keep up with a consistent publishing pace to produce clean copy, or you’re new to the platform and need assistance getting off the ground, consider me your in-network provider—your bonafide Word Doc. (And if puns and analogies are your jam, let’s butter you up and add the sweet stuff, baby.)

You’ve got symptoms, I’ve got diagnoses, and together we can cure any copy with a rising fever. Maybe even some chills. (Too much?) Let me diagnose, offer a cure, and send you on your way to remission aka increased engagement, subscriber numbers, and recognition for writing that’s not only memorable, but best represents the person behind the byline.

So, who am I, and why should you spend your earnings on me?

I’m a journalist with over 20 years of experience in media, publishing, and branded content. For the past 12 years, I’ve been freelancing for the likes of The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure, AFAR, and many more. Before that, I was an editor at The Daily Beast, The New York Post, Page Six Magazine, and Seventeen, where I assigned staff writers and freelance contributors an array of lifestyle, culture, and entertainment stories, and helped usher articles from ideas through to completion and, eventually, publication.

In addition to magazine, newspaper, and digital writing and editing, I’ve also worked with brands on their storytelling efforts, as well as authors in nonfiction book publishing as a ghostwriter, editor, and coach. I’ve assisted with web and social copy, proposals, manifestos, and manuscripts.

Essentially, I know what it’s like to both be edited as a writer and do the editing as an editor. It’s worth mentioning again: Every writer needs an editor. But not every writer is a good editor. I’m the one-two-punch.

Finally, and perhaps most notably as it relates to Word Doc, I have my own popular Substack,

Overthinking It

, which I migrated from Mailchimp way before Substack became the hottest club in town. My letter has both a free and paid model and features essays, recommendations, throwbacks, and more, read by thousands of subscribers.

Finally, I’m a stickler who has high standards for myself and others. I’m not just a “Word Doc” but a legit Word Nerd. I hate word reps, and may judge a guy whose dating profile mixes up “their” and “they’re.” If you haven’t yet noticed, I love a good pun or analogy, will occasionally start sentences with prepositions, and most likely overthink what makes a really good kicker. (Don’t know what any of that means? Stick around. I’ll be posting about some tricks and terms of the trade.)

IMO, writing is about cadence, rhythm, and flow. It’s about feeling and connection with the material and, in many cases, the person articulating it. Spotting a typo after I’ve just hit “publish” fills me with dread and disappointment—especially if my Mom alerts me to its existence. My goal is to help you avoid such shame. Or, at the very least, remind you to take a deep breath and do better next time.

How does it work, exactly?

There’s no one-size-fits-all, so you’ve got options! And they may shift based on demand and the evolution of the platform’s functionality.

Co-Pays - $75/$150/$200 & Up

Tier 1 - $75

This one-time fee includes a 15-minute call before the edit to align on goals. Then, I’ll do a light proofread of a single post up to 800 words, scanning for typos and issues with sentence structure, inserting questions or comments within the margins. One round of edits. 24-hour turnaround.

Tier 2 - $150

This one-time fee includes all of the above for a single post between 800-1,200 words. Plus, I’ll make suggestions for how to improve prose, structure, and sell (headlines + subheads + social). One round of edits. 24-hour turnaround.

Tier 3 - $200 & Up

This one-time fee includes all of the above for a single post of 1,200 words and beyond, plus a line edit. Two rounds. 48-hour turnaround.

Open Enrollment Monthly Plan

For those who publish regularly and want another set of eyes to read over their work before hitting “publish,” this recurring membership plan is best. Pay one monthly rate (based on the frequency of your publishing schedule and the general length of copy produced) and get a discounted bulk rate.

Out-of-Pocket Project Fee

Don’t know where to start? Looking for a pair of eyes to review the “About” page, subscription tiers, and other Substack verbiage? Or maybe you want a collaborator and/or to hand over the whole endeavor to someone else. We’ll start with a consultation call to discuss your needs and a concept, and determine the best strategy for execution. This can include everything from the name of your Substack and a full-fledged editorial calendar of future content, to a style guide, writing and editing of posts, illustrating, promoting, and more.

That feels like…a lot.

I get it. Your goal is to make money, not spend it. But consider this: For copywriting, ghostwriting, and various consultation gigs, my rates generally start at $150/hour and $500/day. (I know. I don’t get that Girl Math either, but I don’t make these weird, unwritten rules.) For ghostwriting and editing books, my project fee starts at $8K. This means you’re getting a great deal. Plus, I went to journalism school (back when going to journalism school meant something), and spent the last 20+ years contributing to and working for reputable media outlets where there are whole departments for what I’m offering. I may not technically have a doctorate, but I do possess the expertise needed to cure what ails your copy.

Take their word for it. See what former colleagues and clients have said:

“I hired Sara to help me pitch a long-form article, and she came through in a big way! With a thorough and timely editing process, she made the pitch more succinct and engaging.”

“Sara was so professional, and offered me value beyond the sheer editing.”

“Working with Sara has been such a pleasure. She immediately understood [my] tone of voice…crafted incredible punchy and clever copy, and met her deadlines. I can't wait to work with her again!”

“[Sara] is a very skilled editor who is conscientious about maintaining a writer's voice while also shaping the piece to its best form.”

“If I had my pick of an editor, Sara would be at the top of my list. I have always felt inspired and motivated by her editorial comments.”

“Sara is a pleasure to deal with. She asks all the right questions, and invariably makes my stories better in her editing process than they were when I filed them.”