Self-Edit Your Science Fiction: Transform Your Draft Into a Professional Science Fiction Novel

MICHAEL PARRILL is a developmental editor specializing in science fiction and fantasy, with over fifteen years of experience helping authors transform rough manuscripts into polished, publication-ready novels. He has worked with more than two hundred writers, from debut self-publishers to traditionally published authors with major imprints, and his clients have gone on to win awards, hit bestseller lists, and build sustainable careers in genre fiction.

Before establishing his editorial practice, Michael earned degrees in literature and creative writing, then spent a decade in technical writing and software documentation—an experience that taught him to value clarity, precision, and the art of making complex ideas accessible. That background informs his approach to science fiction editing, where the challenge is always to balance technical plausibility with narrative momentum.

Michael lives in the Pacific Northwest, where he reads far too many books, writes occasional short fiction, and maintains an active presence in the science fiction writing community through workshops, conference panels, and his popular newsletter on craft. He believes that great editing is an act of collaboration, not correction, and that every story worth telling deserves to be told well.