Self-Help/Motivational Book Editing Service

So, you noticed that humanity is a mess—a wild, beautiful, tragic, perfect mess.

And you wrote a book about it. Because you had to do something to help. And whether you consider yourself a writer or not, that something went careening onto the page. It has kept your mind in a constant state of “Oh, write that down,” and your heart singing, “Yes, yes! This is good!”

Maybe you wrote your book for someone you love.

Maybe that person is you.

Either way, now that your book is written, it is time to let it go.

“Let it go?!” you say. “What does that mean? I busted my ass to create this thing from thin air!”

Oh, my friend. I hear you; I have been there. I know how difficult it can be to hand your manuscript to another person—especially a stranger.

So, allow me to introduce myself.

I’m Aquinnah, and I love self-help/motivational books.

A few of my favorites include You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and The Source Within You by Fabian Wollschläger.

Each of these books flowed into my life in divine timing. At the exact points in my journey where I needed them, they appeared. This is often the case with me and nonfiction—but that wasn’t always true.

I grew up in a household that prized religious texts above all others. Self-help books were unnecessary because… well… self was unnecessary. Why waste time on self-discovery when you can mortify your flesh in service of a higher power?

My childhood years, though predominantly happy, live in my memory with an undercurrent of this cannot be all there is to life. As a teenager, I got so frustrated with the monotony and the apathy of my existence that I fell out of love with dance—a hobby I once planned to pursue professionally.

And then, shortly after I graduated from high school, I watched a movie called The Secret. You might have heard of it.

The Secret did not solve my problems. It did not calm my inner storm. Instead, it ripped through me like a tornado.

Four hours into a five-hour anxiety attack, I finally admitted to myself that I was missing something—and that it had already found me.

I went on to join the ranks of the top 1% of young professionals in the world, but it was the inner work that truly transformed my life.

“And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.” – Max Ehrmann, “Desiderata”

No matter what label you have placed on Divinity, one thing is clear to me: It exists within every one of us. This, I think, is why self-help/motivational books are so powerful. The more you read, the more you notice how we are all connected.

But let us now get back to you and your book.

Letting go of your work can be scary, yes, but it can also be liberating. All those nagging questions you have about not being good enough? All the uncertainty you face around style and structure? That WTF moment you have every time you must choose between lay and lie?

Your writing does not have to keep you up at night. Take a deep breath. You have already done the hard part.

Let me take care of the next one.

As your copyeditor, I will dot your i’s and cross your t’s. I will polish up your sentences—one word at a time. I will make sure your book flows. And when I’m done, it will still sound like you. Almost like I was never there!

Because your book is yours. I’m just here to make it more yours.

I started editing self-help/motivational books because I was asked by a CEO whom I respect to do so. But these days, I do it because I love it. I am an Enneagram 1. I noticed this wild, beautiful, tragic, perfect mess of a world and realized I can help by doing what I do best.

By sorting out the details and caring for my people.

If you are ready to take your book, your writing, and maybe even your self-respect to the next level, I would love to connect with you.

David Spaugh did not want just any editor. He wanted someone who understands his craft. This is what he had to say about working with me:

“Aquinnah is an absolute treasure, and I loved every minute of working with her. She gets it, and I’m so grateful for her time, focused effort, talented eye, and brilliant mind. Hire Aquinnah for your writing efforts—you won’t be disappointed!”

*blubbering* It is an honor and a privilege to work with authors like David.

Here are a few of the books I’ve edited recently (all of which changed my life for the better).

“Aquinnah is a dream to work with. Superb quality of work, rolls with the punches, never misses a deadline. A true pro.” – Isaac Morehouse, author and CEO of Crash

If you are a self-help/motivational author who writes from your heart, believes that life is yours for the creating, and gets excited when thinking of all the humans your book will touch… FAM. You are not here by accident. Nothing is an accident.

I want to connect with you. Let’s make your vision for your book a reality. You have waited long enough.

Yes, you. That chapter you are obsessing over? The one that is stopping you from moving ahead? You do not need to fix that thing before contacting me. Become unburdened. Let’s share the weight of this book. People need it!!!

Every author is different. Every book is different. But here are a few things you can always expect from me:

• A polished, copyedited manuscript that retains your unique voice
• Comments and suggestions for rewrites/cuts/adjustments
• Tracked changes so you know exactly what I edited
• Your questions answered within 24 business hours
• My honest thoughts (both areas for improvement AND strong points)
• Timely work and regular updates

Are you ready?

What does top 1% of young professionals mean anyway?

Back in 2018, I completed a professional bootcamp with Praxis, a year-long apprenticeship program for young people who are ready to launch thriving professional careers on their own terms.

Since then, I have had the great fortune of writing for two award-winning podcasts, The Story and Mission Daily, as well as running Mission’s Medium publication. I then doubled down to create my own copywriting business, contributing to promotional efforts for FEEcon, among other blogs and newsletters. The first time someone sent me a novella for editing, I almost puked, I was so happy. And then the self-help manuscripts started flowing to me.

In other words: I have seen a thing or two.

But the real reason I think you would enjoy working with me?

I am an author, too.

I have been through this big, scary, wonderful process with an editor whose wisdom I sincerely value. I know what it is to be on the receiving end of an editorial letter. And I know what makes it bearable.

Not just bearable. Exciting.

My credentials are one thing; my experience is another.

“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.” – Robin Williams, Dead Poets Society

A final invitation—