At Harp & Briar Editing, our goal is to ensure you walk away with a stronger manuscript and more confidence in your craft. As writers ourselves, we know how daunting the process can be. We're here to champion you and your story.
We're so glad you're here
Chris Botts
Developmental Editor
Writing Coach
I've been a lifelong word nerd, and I don't remember a time I didn't have a book in my hand. I spent my childhood making up stories to tell my little brother and our friends before running off in the woods to play make-believe in the worlds I created.
I developed a love of history once I realized it was just storytelling with complex characters, and that inspired me to get my BA in History. My love of literature and narrative drove me to pursue an MA in English Literature a few years later.
I spent eighteen years teaching English literature and writing around the world in places like South Korea, China, and the USA. I loved seeing my students' faces light up when we would edit their work together and I would show them a new craft trick or two.
After so many years in the classroom, I transitioned to helping authors craft their stories with the same enthusiasm and empathy that guided my students. I tend to work with indie authors and traditional publishers, and I have helped numerous writers with world-building, setting, and constructing nuanced, unforgettable characters.
Though my experience and education gave me a great foundation for helping authors, I decided to earn my Advanced Developmental Editing certificate from the Editorial Freelancers Association and a Specialization in Developmental Editing from the University of Washington.
When I'm not editing or working on my own writing, you'll find me acting my heart out as a homebrew GM for TTRPGs, playing open world video games, working my way through a truly formidable TBR pile, and seeing the world with Jenny and our dog Woofles.
Comfort Reads: The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien), Bookshops & Bonedust (Travis Baldree), Empire of Blue Water (Stephan Talty), Jane Austen
Currently Reading: The Bloodsworn Saga (John Gwynne), The Priory of the Orange Tree (Samantha Shannon), River of Darkness (Buddy Levy)
Jenny Long
Line Editor
Surprise, another editor who loves to read!
Stories have been a sanctuary of mine all my life. Usually this meant bringing home more books than I could carry from the library every week. It also meant rushing home from elementary school to work on my very first novel (which was unfortunately lost forever when I wanted to see how many pages it would be if I made the font size fifty, the zero key got stuck, and the computer tried to set the font to 5,000,000,000. It’s hard to overstate eleven-year-old Jenny's devastation).
I originally earned my Bachelor of Arts in Education. After five years teaching English in China and the USA, I couldn’t resist my obsession with words and language anymore. I earned my Advanced Line Editing certificate from the Editorial Freelancers Association, and I gave in to my heart’s desire: to work with authors, tuning and preserving your unique and carefully-crafted voice, to help the page match what’s in your mind.
When I'm not editing or working on my gothic horror novel (while staying far away from the font size box), you'll find me writing music, playing cozy games and RPGs, seeking out the perfect cozy cafe, hiding in the woods, reading all the gothic lit I can get my hands on, and seeing the world with Chris and our dog Woofles.
Comfort Reads: Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery), The Picture of Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde), The Goose Girl (Shannon Hale), Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine)
Currently Reading: Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil (V.E. Schwab), A Day of Fallen Night (Samantha Shannon), The Fox and the Devil (Kiersten White)
Our Mission
Harp & Briar’s mission is to help writers succeed by supporting them to push past emotional hurdles that are keeping their stories from fruition.
Whether you’re looking for developmental editing, line editing, or writing coaching, we will collaborate on your projects with knowledge, enthusiasm, and honesty grounded in kindness.
Harp & Briar offers support and skill-building that will take your craft, and your belief in yourself, to the next level.
Values
Our guiding principles for every project
Empathy
Providing emotional support in tough moments so you can push past the voice of doubt and let your story shine
Enthusiasm
Bringing our love for storytelling into every project because stories thrive through enthusiasm
Collaboration
Working with authors as equals, showing respect for you and your story as we collaborate on meaningful projects
Diversity
Protecting diversity and inclusion in storytelling so everyone can see themselves on the page
Warmth
Showing kindness and care in critique, building trust between writer and editor to the benefit of your story
Education
Equipping you with craft skills you can take into your next novel and beyond