Story Coach, Eva Barrows

With a BA in creative writing from San Francisco State University, I founded Imitation Fruit Literary Journal in 2007, where I honed my experience working with authors to refine and perfect short fiction. I developed research and interview skills while writing for national and regional publications like Preservation, PUNCH, and Edible Silicon Valley, where I surfaced intent from interview sources and shaped narratives to engage readers. I am a long-time member of novel-writing critique groups. My literary background allows me to share thoughtful, craft-focused feedback that helps move stories forward.

My in-person and Zoom presentations on demystifying the editing and revision process for authors include co-hosting “Ask an Editor” sessions, speaking at California Writers Club branches, and exploring editing topics at Cuesta College’s Central Coast Writers' Conference. These experiences have sharpened my ability to explain craft clearly, show writers actionable next steps, and build confidence in their revision process.

My story coaching and developmental editing services are diagnostic and collaborative. I focus on the elements that carry readers through a story: character goals and growth, story structure, and scene development. I identify what is working and what holds the story back, and create a practical path forward. The goal is not just to highlight problems but to help authors plan revisions to strengthen their manuscript and create the story they set out to write.

I am currently writing a historical novel set during the heyday of silent film in Niles, California, which keeps me immersed in the same creative process my clients are navigating. If you want an editor and coach who can think with you, give precise feedback, and help you move your story forward, book a free discovery call with me today.

Happy writing!

You want your story to engage readers from the start, but transforming a draft into a finished manuscript can feel overwhelming.

I help aspiring and established authors close that gap. I am a story coach and developmental editor experienced in guiding authors through structural revisions and collaborating with them to rethink and build stories with clarity and momentum.