Work with Me
Seventeen years ago, I sat down to draft my first book. Since then I’ve written eight books, taught several courses on writing for publication, and provided freelance editorial services for a number of projects.
editing Services
Stuck with a writing project? I provide editorial notes on anything from short articles to full-length novels. I also offer graded feedback on student essays, research papers, and creative writing assignments.
General Consultation: $75/hour
Developmental Edit: .07/word or $100/hour
Copy-edits : .02/word
Proofreading: .01/word
I also offer a special friends and family rate, so if we are personally connected, please reach out! I’d love to help you!
“Marissa was very helpful in the querying process. Thanks to her help, I got a response from a cold call with the query she made possible.”
“Marissa has served on the editorial team of Daughters of Promise for many years and has become a trusted contributor and friend. She has worked one-on-one with dozens of authors in DOP’s Commonplace magazine, readying their article for print. Most recently, she has provided step-by-step guidance to authors through the publishing process of several new Bible studies.
Marissa is organized and communicative, while also being warm and relational as she works through edits with authors. She is kind, thoughtful, and highly skilled in bringing out a writer’s best! I can even give her the most difficult pieces to tackle, and have 100% confidence that the end result will be dynamic, and the author cared for in the process.”
“Marissa’s editing is both professional and encouraging. She offered helpful suggestions while also giving me the freedom to reject what didn’t feel authentic to my writing style. With her assistance, my manuscript went from something I liked to something I loved. ”
“Last year, Marissa provided editorial services for a Bible study on the book of Matthew that my now-husband and I co-authored. Marissa is an exceptional editor and communicator. Her attention to detail was invaluable to our project. She helped refine both the finer details, like grammar, and the broader concepts, ensuring our ideas were clearly expressed. Marissa never compromised our voice, but offered many insightful comments and questions that helped us revise the places of our study that needed more attention.”
How to write and publish a novel
Prefer to learn at your own pace?
I've created a step-by-step asynchronous online course to plan, draft, revise, and prepare your 50K word novel for submission to agents and editors.
Neria Z.
“Her classes taught me valuable lessons in grammar, writing, and time management. She was a very encouraging and understanding teacher and she made classes fun and interactive. I'm extremely grateful to her for all that she did for me.”
Jamin D.
“Ms. Burt is really kind and offers helpful writing suggestions and does a good job of praising students for their accomplishments, while still motivating them to write.”
gracie s.
“Mrs. Burts' class was one of the best classes I've taken. The material was easy to learn and Mrs. Burt made the learning experience fun and made me feel heard. If I ever had a problem, she went out of her way to help me understand it. She was available in and out of the classroom and was dedicated to helping her students. She worked with each student considering each one of their learning styles and writing levels. She was kind and understanding which created a comfortable learning environment…It was an incredible class.”
Kim c.
“Marissa Burt's writing class opened the door for my daughter to realize that writing can be fun and addictive. Marissa engages fully with all the students in the class helping them along with their writing journey's no matter what level they are working through. Each student left her class with new confidence and skills to carry them into the world of expressing themselves well in words. Her class is a gift.”
Aynsley k
“Mrs. Burt's How to Write and Publish a Novel class changed my life…Mrs. Burt's class not only gave me incredible knowledge on writing and editing and doing it all with grace, but I also built the best friendships I could have asked for! …Mrs. Burt made writing fun! I looked forward to coming to class every week. Writing homework didn't even feel like homework because it was so enjoyable…If you have the opportunity to take one of her classes, do it! I remember telling my mom the next year, whatever Mrs. Burt taught, I would take it. It wasn't just the subject, it was the teacher. Mrs. Burt is amazing, so sweet and honest and realistic. I miss being in her class, but every single day I use the lessons she taught the class and thank God for giving me the best experience of my life.”
reviews from udemy students:
“Marissa goes above and beyond with this very informative course. Reading a textbook and workbook alongside her instructional videos makes it feel very immersive. I have got a lot from this course and would highly recommend it to others.” —Hayley T.
“I'm only halfway through this course, but so far I'm blown away! I love the way this course feels so interactive despite being a purely online experience. The fact that we have been assigned a textbook and workbook to use as we follow the course makes it feel very substantial - unlike other courses on this platform, I feel like I'm learning a whole lot! The assignments are the best part - they cover so much ground in just a few sentences, doing them pretty much teaches you step-by-step how to plan and write your book. I've followed the assignment points diligently so far, and I already feel confident that I'll be able to complete at least a first draft of the book I've envisioned. Thanks Marissa!” —Bhargavi C.
“If you want to write a novel this is the best course on Udemy. Marissa is a joy to spend time with. The course is deep, incredibly well thought out, professionally delivered, a joy. I wish it wasn't over.
I've thought public speaking at the University of Montana and her overall presentation in 9 hours of class is extremely well done. She does not waste time with filler. And even though I have an MFA in fiction writing I learned something in almost every lesson.
I don't think I would have previously believed that an instructor could be this encouraging and helpful.
Check it out for yourself.” —David Francis C.
“This course is a real value for your money! I can tell already, having taken writing courses in the past. And studied countless books on writing, revising, etc., etc. What a joy this teacher is also--very inspiring!!! Would highly recommend!!” —Laraine T.
“So far, I'm enjoying how relaxed the teacher is and how accessible she makes writing a novel feel.” —Ananda W.
Bonnie d.
“I watched a class for one year thrive under her guidance: Marissa Burt paved the way in front of the whole class not just to write confidently, and to write better, but to identify as writers. I'm a fan!”
consultations
Need encouragement on your path to traditional publication? I’m available to chat by phone, e-mail, or Zoom. I’m happy to offer insight and support for you on your writing journey.
General Consultation: $75/hour
Project pricing upon request.
I also offer a special friends and family rate, so please reach out if I can help you!
“After the inspiration to write and edit two books, I was directionless on how to publish them. When I had a discouraging encounter with a third party self publishing company with hefty fees and shady approaches I shelved my publishing aspirations for over a year. Not until I crossed paths with Marissa did my desire to self-publish get resurrected.
From the get-go every encounter with Marissa was full of warmth and clarity. Her knowledge and experience finally got me out of my “publishing paralyzation” to moving forward with the direction and confidence I needed. We used the whole consultation hour to brainstorm and strategize, giving me so many light bulb moments and the vision I had been missing. Her very detailed approach made it a no-brainer for the next steps I was going to take. Had I not bumped into Marissa I suspect my book dreams would never have been realized. Her time, heart and knowledge was invaluable to me. I know for any future book projects I have, she will be my first choice to help with any direction I need. I couldn’t recommend Marissa enough.”
“Marissa engages fully with all the students in the class helping them along with their writing journeys no matter what level they are working through. Each student left her class with new confidence and skills to carry them into the world of expressing themselves well in words.”
Kim C.