Welcome to Next Journey Books, home of multi-award-winning author Mark K. McClain!
Greetings, friends! I'm Mark, a trained developmental editor, writing coach, and beta reader. I provide manuscript evaluations, formatting services, and personalized editorial support for fiction writers at every stage of the creative process.
Whether you're developing a new idea, shaping a work in progress, or polishing a completed draft, I'm here to help you strengthen your story and achieve your writing goals.
My approach is collaborative and tailored to your needs. I focus on helping you create a manuscript that feels complete, engaging, and unmistakably yours. Through thoughtful, in-depth feedback, I'll help you strengthen your story's structure, pacing, character development, and overall narrative while preserving the unique voice that makes your work your own.
If revisions have you feeling stuck, you don't have to navigate them alone. I'll provide clear, honest, and actionable feedback that highlights what's working, identifies areas for improvement, and offers practical solutions so you can revise with confidence while staying true to the story that inspired you in the first place.
While I welcome all fiction genres, I specialize in fantasy, horror, and science fiction, where compelling storytelling, immersive worldbuilding, and memorable characters are essential.
Which support is right for you? You may be ready for coaching, editing, or both.
You need Editing services if:
You want professional guidance to strengthen clarity, flow, and voice
You need help shaping your manuscript at the sentence, paragraph, or chapter level
You want your writing to be cleaner, sharper, and more consistent
You’re ready for focused feedback that improves what’s already on the page
You want your manuscript polished and prepared for the next stage
You need Coaching services if:
You want to clarify your writing process
You thrive with encouraging, constructive feedback
You want to become the best writer you can be
You need a thoughtful sounding board for ideas, structure, and concepts
You have a story ready to be developed
You enjoy problem-solving sessions to work through tough questions
You want to build writing confidence
You need help breaking through the dreaded writer’s block
If any of these scenarios sound familiar, I can meet your needs exactly where you are in the process.
Next Journey Books Editing takes pride in providing editing & coaching services based on honesty, creativity, and a generous dash of good vibes.
