About My Services and How I Can Help You!

Every writer needs an assistant. Someone to read and critique each draft. Someone to point out the holes, the inconsistencies, the poor pacing and the waffling characterization. Someone to handle the busy and absolutely necessary work of social media.

I’ve got the experience, the technical skills, and the creativity to be your writing coach, plot doctor, or editing and proofreading help.

I have over twenty experience as a writer, eight years of ghostwriting experience in a variety of genres, including many types of romance, as well as urban fantasy, young adult, and LGBTQ+ fiction. Moreover, I've been working both as an independent editor and proofreader for seven years and have also contracted as a freelancer for Mascot Books, Zero Alchemy, and NineStar Press.

I’ve been an active critique partner, working with about a half dozen writing groups in the North Carolina and Maryland area, and I've served as a critique partner and/or assistant for published authors, like Leigh Goff and USA Today bestseller Darcy Coates. Moreover, I love educating and helping other writers by conducting workshops for Savvy Authors, as well as presenting at writing panels and at conventions like Awesome Con in Washington, D.C.

Some of my other work includes editing at Legendary Women, Inc., a former journalistic site that spotlighted women of note, women-run charities, and critiques feminist media. I've also worked as a paid writing consultant for The University of Baltimore. This work included helping Creative Writing and Publication Arts students refine their manuscripts and vision.

Allow me the pleasure of working with you to fix plot holes, develop characters, structure your story, create your voice, aid with pacing, and create a plot that expertly follows the three-act structure.

Contact me at margaretjbates13@gmail.com  

Additionally, I have references available upon request.