I’ve been working as a professional editor, teacher, and creative coach for over 25 years. Since 1997, I’ve helped dozens of people write and publish their books. 

Work with Jenna
All joyously published books within this gallery were written in Jenna's workshops! P.S., writers are hot.

All joyously published books within this gallery were written in Jenna's workshops! P.S., writers are hot.

Jenna's notorious novel workshop --which she's been running for for 22 years! In 2019.

Jenna's notorious novel workshop --which she's been running for for 22 years! In 2019.

Social media for writers workshop via A Mighty Blaze.

Social media for writers workshop via A Mighty Blaze.

Whitney Scharer's THE AGE OF LIGHT

Whitney Scharer's THE AGE OF LIGHT

Jane Roper's THE SOCIETY OF SHAME in The Washington Post

Jane Roper's THE SOCIETY OF SHAME in The Washington Post

Tarot for writers

Tarot for writers

Teaching novel outline workshop, a.k.a. Book on a Wall

Teaching novel outline workshop, a.k.a. Book on a Wall

Mark Cecil's BUNYAN AND HENRY launch

Mark Cecil's BUNYAN AND HENRY launch

Julie Gerstenblatt's DAUGHTERS OF NANTUCKET

Julie Gerstenblatt's DAUGHTERS OF NANTUCKET

"You are a gift to the Writer Universe!" --social media workshop for writers via A Mighty Blaze

"You are a gift to the Writer Universe!" --social media workshop for writers via A Mighty Blaze

Trisha Blanchet's HERRICK'S END launch

Trisha Blanchet's HERRICK'S END launch

Jenn DeLeon's BORDERLESS launch

Jenn DeLeon's BORDERLESS launch

1st Zoom novel workshop, March 2020

1st Zoom novel workshop, March 2020

Joe Moldover's JUST UNTIL launch

Joe Moldover's JUST UNTIL launch

Kris Frieswick's THE GHOST MANUSCRIPT

Kris Frieswick's THE GHOST MANUSCRIPT

Kate Woodworth's LITTLE GREAT ISLAND launch

Kate Woodworth's LITTLE GREAT ISLAND launch

Process workshop in Concord, MA

Process workshop in Concord, MA

reading Tarot for writers

reading Tarot for writers

How I can help:


Developmental editing (book-length projects are my jam!)

If you want a professional assessment of your book before you send it out—or if you’re getting that “so close but yet so far” letter from agents—send it on over! 

Query letter creation/ editing

Marketing plan

Social media for the phobic—advice, coaching, content creation

Public speaking for writers

Book promotion 

Launch/ tour planning

In the publishing industry, my first novel, Those Who Save Us, is known as the Little Book That Could—because I visited OVER 800 BOOK CLUBS in the Boston area alone to promote it. After 2 years, it jumped onto the New York Times bestseller list.

I can bring that kind of ingenuity to any and ALL of your writer dreams. 

And I read Tarot cards. 

I can’t wait to work with you!

Testimonials.

  • “I began reading [Jenna’s] editorial letter with bated breath. Honestly, I held my breath. By page two, there were tears. Not of despair, but fat, roly-poly tears of gratitude. This person really got what I was trying to do with this story. Her comments were insightful, creative, innovative, and problem-solving. And they were not all about my comma issues. Her critiques were macro and micro, and delivered in a very kind, digestible manner. Some nice things were said about the work, and there was a balance of suggestions and questions that made me think YES! OF COURSE! And also, I COULD TRY THAT! and occasionally, WHY DID I NOT SEE THAT?”

    ~ Read author Liza Nash Taylor’s full essay for Writer Unboxed about my editorial services here.

  • “Jenna is a compassionate developmental editor and teacher--one who understands the writer's heart. She brings an observant eye to the beauty in one's manuscript along with keen insights into where a story might be better structured, delve deeper, or effect a stronger emotional impact.”

    ~ Tori Whitaker, bestselling author of MILLICENT GLENN'S LAST WISH and A MATTER OF HAPPINESS

  • “From examining and critiquing theme, plot, and structure, down to the details of scene organization and dialogue, Jenna Blum’s exceptional feedback and editing were invaluable during the development of my novel. Her outstanding skills as a manuscript consultant, coupled with her talent as a New York Times and international bestselling author, will have me reaching out to her again and again with future projects.”

    ~ Charles Garabedian, author of THE SAVIORS

  • “Jenna went above and beyond in every aspect of my manuscript consultation. From the first, where she asked me to tell her what was non-negotiable so that she would know what I was not willing to change, to reading her conversational in-text comments (funny, positive, insightful), to her two- page letter with incredibly helpful big-picture comments, working with Jenna was an absolute joy. Jenna's passion, positivity, and ability to dive deeply into the heart of my story made me feel as if I had received an individualized masterclass in novel writing, pinpointing exactly the areas I most needed to work on, in the clearest possible way. I will be forever grateful to Jenna for all of her insights and positivity, every step of the way.”

    ~ Catherine Mazur- Jeffries, author of ROSE IN TIME

  • “Jenna is the Goldilocks of editing. Her suggestions never go past your comfort level, and her edits are always just enough to make the characters and the story shine. She is wonderful to work with from start to finish, and her comments are grounded in a deep and nuanced understanding of both the writer and the book's audience.”

    ~ C.A. (name withheld), attorney

  • “Jenna’s suggestions opened an entirely new dimension to my work that I was previously blind to. Not only did my consultation with her change everything, but her absolute confidence in my work was exactly what I needed.”

    ~ Jillian Forsberg, author of THE RHINO KEEPER

  • “Jenna's critique was invaluable to my novel-in-progress. She combed through my pages with a surgeon's focus and a cheerleader's attitude. Her feedback saved me months, possibly years, of rewrites and do-overs. I can't recommend Jenna enough!”

    ~ Dell Smith, author of NAUSET TIDES

Work with Jenna