I believe everyone can be a great storyteller
Hi! I’m Kallista
I’m a developmental editor and book coach dedicated to helping authors develop, write, and revise a novel they can be proud of.
Who am I?
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How do you know when a novel is done? Where I draw the line is when you have a book that you’re so proud of that it doesn’t matter if others don’t like it. You love it that much.
What’s the best way to get there? By maintaining high standards. It’s by pushing the story to reach its full potential, investigating the idea, and ensuring that each piece earns its place in the story. That is the path to writing something you’re proud of.
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All writers can learn the skills of storytelling. It takes hard work, dedication, and showing up to the page. I know this, though, because I’ve seen writers improve. When I coached various scene-writing workshops and worked with writers on their practical application, I had the luxury of seeing authors improve and gain confidence in their skills. That’s how I know that good writing can be taught.
Growth and learning aren’t just for writers, though. There’s always a new problem, a new angle, and a new perspective that can help me do my job better. I take my responsibility to show up seriously. I’m constantly taking new classes, courses, and certifications, so I can bring my best for the writers I work with.
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There are a million different ways to edit a story to get a million different outcomes. So, the way I approach editing is to get to know your vision and intentions so I can better help you implement it. That doesn’t mean there aren’t times when I will push back against an element in a story (that’s just my job). What it means is that every edit I suggest is rooted in your objectives, so you can create a story you’re proud of.
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This is the stereotypical editor-writer relationship:
The editor is rude, hyper-critical, and tells the writer what to do.
The writer secretly - or not so secretly - hates the editor.
That’s not the type of editor-writer relationship I strive to build. For one, it’s not conducive to building a story you’re proud of, and second, it’ll just end with everyone miserable.
Instead, I want the writers I work with to feel seen and heard. I always encourage them to take notice of what resonates and what doesn’t in the feedback I give them. I don’t expect authors to agree with everything I say, but I do expect productive disagreement. There’s a way to have that conversation without anyone feeling disrespected, and it’s often those conversations that lead to the biggest breakthroughs.
Why I love the work
Many writers have a story they’ve been dreaming of telling since they were kids, but life got in the way of actually doing it. My job is to help them take real steps towards that dream. So, when I work with a writer, and they tell me something like, “this is the first time my story has ever felt real. I finally feel like I could really do this,” there's nothing more fulfilling!
That is an accomplishment to be proud of! I love this work because I get to help writers accomplish something they’ve been dreaming of since they were kids. I love this work because there’s nothing more fun than getting into the trenches with a writer. I love this work because it’s fulfilling.
I wouldn’t want to do anything other than work with stories and writers. No matter the ups and downs.
How did I get here?
Story Grid Certified Editor (2023)
I learned how to developmentally edit a novel through Story Grid. That's a system developed by veteran editor Shawn Coyne, who has over 25 years of experience at the Big Five publishers. This training refined my skills beyond intuition, enabling me to pinpoint a story's weaknesses with precision and offer clear, actionable solutions.
Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach (2024)
Under Jennie Nash (a coach who has launched many writers onto the NYT bestseller list), I learned how to nurture a writer’s potential, guiding them from the spark of an idea to a fully formed novel.
My passion for storytelling started early. In high school, I was the ultimate nerd, volunteering as a beta reader for writers through a Goodreads forum. Figuring out why a scene wasn’t working or why a character fell flat was fascinating to me—and that spark never faded.
After high school, imagine my horror when I realized there was no straightforward path to becoming a developmental editor. Colleges were not teaching this skill.
So, I forged my own path. That’s where I discovered two amazing certification programs that taught me everything I know.
These certifications transformed my approach, moving me from intuition and vague advice to delivering clear, actionable feedback that drives real progress.
Since becoming certified, I’ve taken my passion for helping writers to new heights. Here are just a few of the highlights.
Teaching Assistant to Leslie Watts (Former Editor-in-Chief at Story Grid): I trained new editors in the Story Grid methodology.
Webinar Host for ProWritingAid: I presented on audience expectations for the dark romance genre, sharing insights with hundreds of writers.
Editor at the Killer Nashville Conference: I was invited to the Killer Nashville conference, where I critiqued the first ten pages of writer’s novels.
Coach for the 100-Day Program: I guided writers through completing their first drafts in 100 days at The Write Practice.
Short Story Judge: I judged the fall writing contest at The Write Practice.
Coach and Facilitator for the Mastering Line-by-Line in Fiction: A live Scene Writing Workshop: I trained writers to create great scenes in just six weeks.
Mentor in the Writer-Mentor Program: I guided writers through the process of skill building, from crafting strong sentences to building entire novels.
Why work with me?
Because I know how it feels to be overwhelmed by advice, stuck in analysis paralysis, or unsure of what to do next. I’ve been there, and I’ve dedicated my career to helping writers break through those barriers.
When you work with me, you’re not just getting an editor—you’re getting a creative partner, mentor, and cheerleader who’s invested in your success.