Send me a Text Message!

Developmental editor and former literary agent Mary Kole breaks down the exact process that transforms manuscripts from "just okay" to "must-read." 

In this episode, you'll learn why most writers approach feedback and revision completely wrong.

You’ll discover the important difference between revision and editing. 

And you’ll master the "boring edit" technique that ensures your story grips readers from page one to the end. 

Mary reveals 

• When to seek feedback (and when not to)
• How to create a mission statement that guides every revision decision
• Why cause-and-effect logic is the secret weapon of successful storytellers. 

Whether you're drowning in feedback or paralysed by perfectionism, this episode gives you the roadmap to finish your manuscript and make it as good as you’d always hoped it would be.

What You'll Learn:

• How to filter feedback and reject notes that don't serve your story.
• The mission statement technique that guides every revision decision.
• Why big-picture changes must come before sentence-level editing.

Click here to learn more about Mary Kole 

Guest Bio: Former literary agent Mary Kole provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres. She founded Good Story Company in 2019 to create valuable content for writers—like the Thriving Writers Podcast, YouTube channel, and Thriving Writers classes and resources. ​​Mary has presented at hundreds of regional, national, and international writing conferences, and guest lectured at Harvard, the Ringling College of Art and Design, the Highlights Foundation, and the Loft.  She also develops unique and commercial intellectual property for middle grade, young adult, and adult readers with Bittersweet Books.

Episodes I think you'll love…

1. Agent Carleen Geisler Reads a Submission & Shares How Agents Evaluate Opening Pages
2. Literary Agent and Author Jenna Satterthwaite on Making it in the Publishing Industry
3. Turn Your Manuscript into a Page-Turner Using The Central Question Framework with Julie Tyler Ruiz
4. First Page Formula: Author and Writing Coach April Davila on What Agents & Readers Want to See in Your Thriller Manuscript Opening

Get the list of 125+ Literary Agents who rep Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Crime Fiction

Study the Opening Paragraphs of the Top Authors Writing Thrillers Right Now