About Me
Hello, lovely writers!
I’m Leila Sanders, and I’m a developmental editor and book coach specializing in MM romance, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, and dark romance. I help first-time ESL romance and fantasy writers finish writing their outlines and manuscripts.
As a developmental editor, I analyze big-picture issues to get you one step closer to line editing and/or copyediting..
My specialization in romance and fantasy…
While I’ve always loved watching romance and fantasy stories on the big screen, I fell in love with reading romance stories. It was another way of seeing a movie playing out in my head, but the experience is more immersive with relatable interiority and detailed Victorian England world-building.
As a young woman, my tastes in romance evolved from YA romances to historical MM romances and dark fantasy dragon stories. My reading taste has made me an empathetic developmental editor and human being.
I used to think my social anxiety was a detriment to my business, but it’s only allowed me to hone my attention-to-detail skills and become a patient listener for my developmental editing and book coaching clients.
Portfolio
Paint Our Song
by Maia Kinley
Editorial Service: Customized Manuscript Evaluation
Genre: Contemporary MM Romance
Other Developmental Editing Projects
DARK FANTASY MM ROMANCE
The King of Ironwall by A. Ang
Editorial Service: Developmental Edit with Book Scene Map
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Fathom by M. Cooke
Editorial Service: Developmental Edit with Book Scene Map
by TT Hanna
Editorial Service: Developmental Edit
Genre: Dark Romantasy/Aladdin Retelling
Our Own Light
by Logan Sage Adams
Editorial Service: Developmental Edit
Genre: Historical MM Romance
Awards: Finalist for 2025 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Romance
Quirks & Obsessions
Devoted cat mom: My furry editorial assistant is Miss Buttons (also referred to as “my little Angel” and “Angel of Darkness”). Buttons is a cranky assistant, but her patience and stress-relieving cuddles soothes the daily work stress.
Devoted to learning history: While I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in creative writing, my obsession with nineteenth century England, medieval Scotland, and Ancient history led to me minoring in history.
Devoted to helping people: I’m an introvert, but I love helping people! But how does that work? I help answer questions romance and fantasy authors might have about how to write or plot their stories, my services, rates, or sensitive topics.
Devoted to music: I’m always listening to jazz, holiday music, alternative, and country music during and after work. I’m also an amateur musician who has splurged playing the drums, guitar, and flute. My collection of vinyl records keeps my books company on the bookshelf.
Devoted travel enthusiast: I desperately want to drink a delicious cappuccino in Italy, explore ancient castle ruins, take in the Scottish Highlands and the Cliffs of Moher, and stand below the Eiffel Tower.
Devoted to being an amateur chess player: I’m not the best chess player, but I love a challenging game of chess.
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I hold a BA in English with a concentration in creative writing and a minor in history. I’m a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and the Northwest Editors Guild.
My special training in developmental editing includes the following:
Developmental Editing: In Practice at Liminal Pages
Developmental Editing for Fiction class at the Editorial Arts Academy.
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Midnight Devotion Editing’s Values: Patience, gentle encouragement, inspiration, and integrity.
I don’t use any AI for my editorial feedback.
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I support first-time writers, ESL writers, romance writers, fantasy and paranormal writers, LGBTQ+ Community, young writers, women writers, and more.
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Here are some topics and tropes that I prefer when editing manuscripts:
Strong romantic chemistry
LGBTQ+ characters and romances
Paranormal world-building
Low fantasy
Detective mystery romances
Vigilantes
Women’s fiction with a romantic thread
Adventure/action with compelling plot or romance
Socially conscious
Psychopath/sociopath characters
Some horror fairy tale retellings
Sports romance
Enemies-to-lovers
Coming-to-age stories
Royalty romances