Editing & COACHING
Fictionary CERTIFIED StoryCoach Editor & Writer’s Digest Award-Winning Author
Helping writers uncover the structure and heartbeat of their stories — with editing and coaching for speculative, (fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian, time-travel), literary, historical, and YA fiction
Hello Writer! I’m Elizabeth Pettersson, a Fictionary StoryCoach Editor and Writer’s Digest award-winning author, publishing fiction under the pen name E.A. Carter.
I specialize in romance-driven speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, and time-travel), historical fiction, literary fiction, and YA.
I believe every story carries both structure AND your unique heartbeat. My role is to help you uncover both — so your words connect with readers in the way you’ve dreamed they will.
I approach every project with kindness, clarity, and collaboration. Editing should always feel like new doors are opening for you, especially those you believed would always be closed.
What Writers Say
Ruana Esengosova - Author of The Tutor, #1 in Teen Fiction on Wattpad, and The Playmaker, selected by Wattpad Creators
“Having Elizabeth as my developmental editor has been the best investment for my work and myself as an aspiring writer.”
Grace Worwa
“Elizabeth provided me with an in-depth and detailed developmental edit for my science fiction novel. Her editorial letter and scene-by-scene evaluation were full of actionable suggestions, delivered in a kind and thoughtful way that focused on both the strengths as well as the weaknesses in my writing.
She was also perfectly on time and very responsive to me throughout the editing process.
I am truly grateful for the care and interest Elizabeth has poured into my manuscript. Working with her has been an illuminating and motivating experience, and I can't recommend her services enough.”
Nicole Carter, MEd, CHES, Health Coach - Author of How I Healed My Ulcerative Colitis, and How I Stayed Ulcerative Colitis Free: Six Years and Counting featured on Good Morning Britain, ITV, and BBC
“Elizabeth did a fantastic job guiding me through writing and publishing my non-fiction book on how I healed my ulcerative colitis with the power of food. I not only achieved all the goals I hoped to achieve, but I felt understood and my needs were met.
I 100% recommend working with Elizabeth. It was a very positive writing and publishing experience for me.”
What It’s Like To Work With Me
You are always in control of your story. I’m here to help guide you to your goals.
Editing can feel daunting when you haven’t worked with an editor before. My approach is rooted in kindness, clarity, and collaboration.
Writers often tell me they feel safe sharing their work with me, because I honor their vision and give them clear, actionable guidance and tools to help them reach their writing and publishing goals.
When you work with me, you can expect:
Feedback that is honest yet compassionate and kind
Practical steps you can immediately apply to your manuscript
Encouragement that keeps you motivated through revisions
A deeper sense of clarity about both your story’s structure and its purpose
I don’t just look at structure — I also help you uncover the Why at the heart of your story.
Your Why is the heartbeat of your writing. Most writers are not aware of their Why, but it’s under the story and a part of you, and the themes your stories explore.
When you discover your Why, it becomes a powerful compass that guides your revisions, sharpens your themes, and gives you the right words to reach readers and talk about your book with confidence.
DISCOVER YOUR STORY’s WHY
Every writer carries a core question in their work — a theme they return to again and again, consciously or unconsciously
It’s part of why they write, to work out this question through narrative. It’s the heartbeat beneath the plot and the thread that ties every story together.
Most writers never realize they possess a Why that drives their writing. But once they do, everything changes.
These well-known authors each have a question they explore - we call this a writer’s Why (as in Why we write):
J.K. Rowling - “What makes someone truly good or truly evil?”
Her Harry Potter series constantly returns to choices, morality, and the shaping of identity.George R.R. Martin - “What is the cost of power?”
His work explores how ambition and leadership demand sacrifice, often with brutal consequences.Octavia E. Butler - “How do we change while staying human?”
Her stories wrestle with transformation—genetic, societal, or spiritual—while probing what it means to remain ourselves.Margaret Atwood - “What happens when power suppresses freedom?”
The Handmaid’s Tale and much of her work centers on authority, resistance, and survival under oppression.Kazuo Ishiguro - “What makes a life meaningful?”
His novels often explore memory, regret, and the fleeting nature of human experience.Stephen King - “What happens when ordinary life collides with extraordinary horror?”
His stories return again and again to small towns, families, and ordinary people facing unimaginable darkness.
Just as these authors circle their Why across every book, discovering yours can transform not just your current manuscript, but your entire writing journey.
3 Questions to Start Discovering Your Why
What question do your characters keep struggling with?
What idea or theme keeps showing up in everything you write — even when you don’t plan it?
If a reader walked away from your book with one truth that mattered to you, what would it be?
Discovering the Why behind your story can change everything. This free worksheet will guide you through three simple questions to uncover the deeper heartbeat beneath your writing. Use it to gain clarity, strengthen your revisions, and connect more deeply with your readers.
editING & coaching services
I work with all genres of fiction, though I have a special love for romance-driven speculative, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, historical, literary, and YA stories.
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Developmental Story Editing
This is a deep dive into your manuscript’s structure and heartbeat. I’ll review your novel scene by scene and provide a detailed editorial letter plus actionable feedback. You’ll walk away with a roadmap to strengthen your story’s plot, characters, and themes — so your book resonates with readers the way you’ve dreamed it would.
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ONGOING STORY COACHING
Sometimes what you need isn’t just an edit, but a guide. Story coaching gives you regular sessions where we’ll talk through your goals, challenges, and breakthroughs. You’ll get momentum, accountability, and clarity so you can be sure your story stays aligned with both strong structure and your deeper Why.
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discover your why session
Every writer carries a question that runs beneath their stories — a theme they circle again and again. In this 1:1 session, I’ll help you uncover that core Why and show how it threads through your manuscript and your larger body of work. You’ll receive a write-up you can use in revisions, blurbs, social media, and even future projects.
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copyediting
Once your story’s structure is strong, the next step is copyediting — polishing your prose so it’s clear, consistent, and professional. I’ll correct grammar, punctuation, and style issues, with light adjustments to improve clarity and flow, all while respecting your unique voice. This stage ensures your manuscript is polished and reader-ready.
Not sure which service is right for you? That’s completely normal. Every story — and every writer — is at a different stage.
Prefer to talk things through instead of writing it out? I’m happy to arrange a free call — just let me know when you reach out.
Ready to Bring Your Story to Life?
Every story has a structure AND a heartbeat. My role is to help you uncover both — so your words connect with readers exactly the way you’ve dreamed.
If you’re ready to take the next step with your manuscript, I’d love to support you.
Every story has a heartbeat. Let’s find yours.
About Elizabeth Pettersson
I’m a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor and Writer’s Digest award-winning author, publishing fiction under the pen name E.A. Carter. I specialize in speculative, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, historical, literary, and YA fiction. My approach blends kindness, clarity, and actionable feedback to help writers uncover both the structure and the heartbeat of their stories.
Note: Billing is issued under my legal name, Jeannine Elizabeth Pettersson. All editorial services are provided as Elizabeth Pettersson.
