Words that earn their place on the page.
Melissa Kanouff Author LLC partners with writers, founders, and educators across the United States to develop manuscripts, navigate publishing, and build resources that actually get read.
Melissa didn't just edit my book — she helped me understand the story I was actually trying to tell. The difference shows on every page.
Memoir Author · Austin, TX
Substantive support for serious writing projects.
Four practice areas, one consistent standard. Every engagement begins with listening, continues with craft, and ends with a finished work you're proud to put your name on.
Writing Consulting
Developmental editing, structure work, and ongoing coaching for authors moving from draft to publishable manuscript.
Learn more →Publishing Support
Clear, vendor-neutral guidance on traditional, hybrid, and independent publishing — from query packages to production files.
Learn more →Content Development
Ghostwriting, long-form articles, white papers, and thought leadership for founders, executives, and subject-matter experts.
Learn more →Educational Resources
Workshops, curricula, study guides, and coaching programs for schools, libraries, nonprofits, and adult learners.
Learn more →Built on craft, accountability, and plain talk.
Melissa Kanouff Author LLC was founded in Rayne, Louisiana in 2017 to give independent and aspiring American authors the kind of hands-on editorial partnership usually reserved for traditionally published writers. Today the studio supports clients in more than forty states.
Every project moves through a clear scope, a written agreement, and direct communication with Melissa herself. No outsourced reviewers, no surprise invoices, no recycled feedback.
- Written scope and flat-fee pricing before work begins
- Direct working relationship with a U.S.-based editor
- Confidential, IP-respecting collaboration
- Realistic timelines you can plan around
A predictable process for unpredictable creative work.
Discovery call
A complimentary 20-minute conversation about your project, audience, and goals — so we both know whether we're a fit before any agreement is signed.
Scope & estimate
A written proposal with deliverables, milestones, and a flat fee. No hourly meters, no scope creep, no surprises.
Engagement
Focused work in clearly defined cycles, with scheduled reviews and direct access to Melissa throughout.
Handoff & next steps
Production-ready files plus an honest debrief on what comes next — whether that's querying agents, formatting for KDP, or building a launch plan.
What working together actually feels like.
I spent two years stuck on the same draft. Six months with Melissa and I was holding a real book in my hands. She is the rare editor who is both kind and honest.
Our nonprofit needed a curriculum guide that didn't sound like every other curriculum guide. Melissa delivered exactly that — warm, rigorous, and on time.
As a founder I'd been told to "just hire a ghostwriter." Melissa is far more than that. She helped me find the through-line of a decade of work and turned it into a book I'm proud to put my name on.
Notes from the writing desk.
What "Show, Don't Tell" Actually Means After 100,000 Words
The most overused advice in writing — and a more useful framework that respects your reader's intelligence.
Read article →Traditional, Hybrid, or Independent: An Honest Decision Framework
A vendor-neutral look at the three publishing paths American authors actually have in 2026.
Read article →The Book Your Business Needs Is Not the Book You Want to Write
How founder books succeed (and quietly fail) — and what to decide before you write a single chapter.
Read article →Ready to bring your manuscript to life?
Schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation. We'll discuss your project, your timeline, and the support that fits where you are right now.