About Me
Hi, I’m Leslie Castro-Woodhouse, PhD, a writing coach & developmental editor for academic writers.
I’m the scholar’s “book doula,” guiding the writing journey from idea to publication. I help academic writers find their direction, stay focused on the path, and deal with roadblocks they encounter along the way, supporting them until they reach their writing destination.
What would I know about that? I’m an academic who has earned a PhD (UC Berkeley, History, 2009); a scholarly author who’s published a book, several journal articles, and a couple book chapters; and a developmental editor who’s worked with both scholarly authors and academic journals.
Like most academics, I was never taught how to write academic prose. I managed to crank out my dissertation and adapt it into book form before I had any idea what I was doing — other than trying to make it “readable.” But a few years of managing the editing process at an academic journal transformed how I understood scholarly writing. I learned how to look deeply beneath a text’s surface — its argument, structure, evidence, and authorial tone — to get a “big picture” view of what’s working and what’s not. I also discovered that I love engaging other academics about their research, and talking through their ideas to help them get clearer on what they really want to say.
I believe in the value and power of scholarly work. We really need more smart people to get their ideas “out there” in the world. In this era of “move fast and break things,” good writing comes from engaging deeply with our data, and investing the time it takes to build new knowledge. I’m committed to helping academics find direction on their writing journey, and staying on the road with them until they reach their destination.
How It Works: My Process
Every client is unique — and so are the solutions and recommendations I craft for you when we work together. Though the results are customized to you, there is a proven process for achieving them. As we begin working together, I first assess your project and writing practice to identify where you’re getting stuck, and how to help you move forward. We then co-create the means of doing so, figuring out techniques and patterns that work for you. We then continue clarifying your goals and next steps as we build a mode of writing that you can successfully sustain throughout your career.
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Who I work with
What’s it like working with me?
Accountability
What surprised me the most was the level of accountability I have gained from working with Leslie. Whether it's working on articles or meeting deadlines, knowing that Leslie will review my work before the due date has motivated me to be proactive and avoid last-minute rushes. Having her expertise in copy editing my work has been reassuring and has elevated the quality of my writing.
Leslie has provided me with the accountability I need and excitement to keep facing my book project.
Thought Partnership
When I began the process with Leslie, I assumed it was going to be mostly a technical and organizational exercise to help identify and reorganize my existing ideas. Leslie offers so much more than that. She engaged deeply with the ideas, challenged them where needed, and helped me develop a framework that was there in parts, but so fractured and inarticulate that the product now is wholly unrecognizable and significantly higher in quality than where I was when I began the process.
As a first-time book author, Leslie’s holistic approach to editing –– not just through reading what I'm writing, but also through our one-on-one sessions –– that allows me to process and think out loud has made me more confident in my own ideas and thinking.
Feedback & Support
Leslie has been an absolute delight to work with. Her feedback is clear, constructive, and most importantly, generative of thought. Leslie provides weekly check-ins, detailed summaries of our meetings, writing plans, and tremendous patience and encouragement during the writing process.
Writing a book is emotional: Full of ups and downs. Disappointments, writer’s block, etc. Leslie kindly, but firmly, kept me on track. That kind of support was more than just an accountability mechanism. It was so helpful and encouraging to get external feedback on my ideas and findings, and in a genuine way.