Narrative Strategy & Writing

I work with leaders, writers, scholars and students to discover the story inside an idea—and to shape that story into language that is clear, compelling and unmistakably their own.

My work draws on more than twenty years of experience across writing, higher education, publishing, theatre and the arts. I hold a PhD in English and Creative Writing, an MFA in Creative Nonfiction and an MA in Liberal Studies/Poetry, and I am a former Fulbright scholar. I have taught writing at Dartmouth College and other universities, edited book-length manuscripts, published my own creative work, and spent much of my professional life helping people find and strengthen their voices.

There are four primary ways we can work together:

1. Executive Narrative & Thought Leadership

The people with the most interesting ideas are not always the people with hours available to write about them.

I work privately with founders, executives, academics, nonprofit leaders, artists and other professionals to turn conversations and ideas into thoughtful, distinctive writing.

Our work begins with conversation. I listen for language, stories, recurring ideas, contradictions, values and the particular rhythms that make your voice yours. From there, I can develop essays, articles, LinkedIn thought leadership, newsletters, speeches and other public-facing writing that sounds like you—not like generic corporate content.

Ongoing executive writing engagements begin at $2,500 per month.

2. Memoir & Creative Manuscript Development

Sometimes a writer has written the material but has not yet found the book.

I work especially well with memoir, literary nonfiction and hybrid work in which the deeper challenge is one of structure, voice, meaning and narrative shape.

A manuscript consultation may include a complete reading of the manuscript, a substantial editorial assessment, an in-depth conversation about the work and a revision strategy designed to help you see both the book you have written and the book it might become.

Manuscript consultations begin at $2,500.

3. Application Narrative Coaching

A compelling application is more than a collection of accomplishments. It tells the reader something coherent about who you are, what matters to you and where you are going.

I offer individualized writing and narrative coaching for undergraduate, MFA, graduate and selected fellowship applications.

Rather than imposing a formula, I help applicants identify meaningful material, discover the narrative connecting their experiences and develop writing that is specific, alive and authentically their own.

All application writing remains the applicant’s own work. My role is coaching, questioning, developmental feedback and editing.

Personal-statement coaching begins at $950. More comprehensive application packages are available.

4. Book & Manuscript Editing

A strong manuscript deserves an editor who can see both the sentence and the larger work.

I work with authors on book-length manuscripts from developmental stages through final revision, helping strengthen structure, clarity, voice, pacing, organization and prose while preserving the author’s distinctive voice and intentions.

Editorial projects are individually quoted based on manuscript length, scope and stage of development.

A Conversation Is the Beginning

You do not need to know exactly what kind of writing help you need before contacting me.

If you are carrying around an idea, a manuscript, a body of expertise or a story that you haven’t yet been able to put into the right words, tell me about it.

Let’s find the language for it.

Email me at kmckenna@slovenialit.com