What I am after, above all, is expression.

-Henri Matisse
The Philosophy.

Challenge my boundaries. Dive into my creative flow. Produce projects that are clear, solid, compelling, visual to the eyes of the body and the soul. Write and create courageously, truthfully. Remain diplomatic, collaborative, high-performing, wholehearted. Take time along the way to unplug, exhale, and breathe in again for creative refueling.

The Mission.

Inspire creative breakthrough. Use my skills to elevate others. Infuse my work with artistic energy. And always, always, always keep my eye on the ball . . . a client's project and my integrity.

That means listening, being available, and journeying with you. Guiding you through stagnate waters, onto hidden gold for a polished finish. Capturing what's behind your words, where the energy of your vision lies.

The Book Package.

Customized with a single fee, often with bonuses or a special discount.

Designed with the right level of services to meet your manuscript and marketing needs, keeping you on budget. Fees are factored on word-page count for each editorial phase. So there are no surprises. Just a clear-sailing creative path.

The developmental editing umbrella emerges, stretching throughout the process, from the manuscipt evaluation to the unfolding work of story, character arcs, status, quirks, frailities, unmet desires, tone, mood, setting, style, POV, twists, turns, tensions, and the word-obsessed line editing.

TIP: Check the Creative Moves drop-down menu to learn more about my editorial services. The Manuscript Evaluation page (bottom section) explains the types of projects reviewed/accepted.

The Book Process.

Self-publishing authors: you are greatly applauded here. Traditional-publishing authors: welcome.

Connect: You, me, your manuscript. Sample chapters or a full read. Things feel messy? Yeah, the creative process gets like that. No worries. Let's get your creative mojo flowing.

Discover: A manuscript evaluation applauds your strengths, offers suggestions, and gently flags areas to flesh out.

Consider: Review the best-valued book packages for you, your book, your budget.

Partner: We sign a straightforward letter of agreement, maps our journey.

Edit-Write: Tracked findings, suggestions in comment balloons. Working in layers, ping-ponging your manuscript.

Reach out along the way: Phone, text, email, Zoom.

Meet-and-Greet

Ann Castro - Book Developmental Editor.


Book Developmental Editor.
Line [Style] Editor. Writer.
A Back East girl
in a West Coast world.


Ann [Consiglio] Castro
Book Developmental Editor.
Line [Style] Editor. Writer.
A Back East girl
in a West Coast world.
Katrina [Kat] Martin - Fiction Test Reader. BA Graphic Design.


Fiction Test Reader.
BA Graphic Design.


Katrina [Kat] Martin
Fiction Test Reader.
BA Graphic Design.
Jason A. Martin - Software Engineer Consultant.


Software Engineer Consultant.


Jason A. Martin
Software Engineer Consultant

What Author-Clients, Business-Clients & Their Colleagues Say . . .

  • "Thanks again for all your contributions to my book Legacy . . . for your part in making it a success. Legacy won the gold medal from the 2015 IPPY Awards (Young Adult Fiction, e-book category) and the gold award in the Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards (teenage division). It received an award for Notable Book (Epic Saga division) in the January 2015 Shelf Unbound Writing Competition (epic saga category), an honorable mention in the 2014 Southern California Book Festival (general fiction category), and a runner-up placement in the Florida Book Festival (young adult category)."
    Ellery A. Kane, author of the double-gold winner Legacy (YA fiction, first of the Legacy series)
  • "Ever since I won the Body-for-LIFE Contest in 1998 I have wanted to write this book. Try as I might, I just couldn't find the words to make it happen. In 2006 I met writer/creative director Ann Castro and she became my voice, putting my thoughts to paper and outlining my ideas. This book would have never happened without her help. I am honored to have her as a friend and consultant."
    Dr. Jeffry Life, NY Times bestselling author of The Life Plan
  • "For ten years I thought about writing this book, but my own demons were too fierce to face. Finally, one NaNoWriMo, I sat down and wrote a SFD (Shitty First Draft). Wrung out from the writing process, I waited until March 2018 to begin the search for an editor. In an amazing interconnectedness of coincidence, the universe sent Ann Castro, a beautiful soul who quickly became my friend in addition to my editor. We worked together for months to turn my SFD into a novel worthy of readers. Thank you for always being so kind and guiding."
    Jennifer Piper, author of an inspired-by-a-true-story novel, Squat and Cough
  • Once again, I owe a debt of gratitude to the AnnCastro Studio team . . . 'Daddy Darkest' would not be so deliciously dark without the talents of the amazing AnnCastroStudio team who provided all editing services for this book, including [Ann Castro] developmental editing, manuscript evaluation, line editing, copyediting, and [Emily Dings] proofing.
    Ellery A. Kane, author of adult psychological thrillers: Daddy Darkest, The Hanging Tree, and The First Cut
    <
  • I like how you interact with me for the [developmental] edit. Amazing job! Thanks for agreeing to let me consult with you for all things ancient Hebrew and Judaic."
    "Absolutely perfect as always.br> "Beautiful edits. Thank you so much."
    J. Nell, author of the low-fantasy Orphan Dreamer series and low-fantasy short stories, "HouseGuest" and "A Generation of Lighted Evergreens"
  • "Ann, working with you was a great experience for me, and you're always in my head when I'm writing. Always."
    Peter Saltzman, author of a hybrid musical-narrative memoirBlues, Preludes & Feuds.
  • To Ann Castro, my developmental editor and Judaic/creative consultant. Thank you for your support and encouragement through this whole process. Thank you for challenging me to dig deeper . . . Your help in sorting through the content and structure of this manuscript has been indispensable. Without your guidance and direction, this work would not be what it is today. I am eternally grateful.
    Luke L. Laffin, spiritual self-help author of Go Find Yourself: A Healing Journey and Reclaiming Your Core: Restoring the Foundations of Faith.
  • "AnnCastro Studio provided all editing services for The First Cut, including Ann Castro's developmental editing, line editing, and manuscript evaluation and Emily Ding's proofing. Their work has contributed immensely to my growth as a writer, and I am tremendously grateful."
    Ellery A. Kane, author of psychological adult thrillers: Daddy Darkest, The Hanging Tree, and The First Cut
  • "First and foremost to Ann Castro, my right-hand collaborator who has the uncanny gift of portraying what's in my mind through the written word even before I expressed my thoughts to her. Her wonderful writing ability has immeasurably contributed to the flavor of this book. I'll be extremely grateful to her, not just for her consummate professionalism, but also for her willingness to jump right in at the eleventh hour."
    ALG, NY Times bestselling author, nutritionist & writer of over 30 books
  • "To my developmental editor, Ann Castro: Her spirit and talent are mixed into a wonderful combination that made this project happen and become so special."
    Paul S. Bodner, author of My Lemonade Life, a memoir of living with love, laughter and now . . . cancer
  • "Once again, I owe an immense debt of gratitude to the AnnCastro Studio team, Ann Castro [developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, manuscript evaluation] and Emily Dings [proofing via an editorial eye]. Ladies, your work is invaluable!"
    Ellery A. Kane, author of adult psychological thrillers: Daddy Darkest, The Hanging Tree, and The First Cut
  • "Your assessment [manuscript evaluations] is amazing and I'm totally in your hands going forward. I loved reading your thoughtful, insightful expertise. I found the [manuscript] evaluation energizing. A lot of work to do, but I'm excited to do it."
    Steven M. Johnson, author of The Search for Macadamia and Madi's Story
  • "Ann, I always encounter the warmth of your approach as of a zephyr. Admirably straightforward."
    Cincinnatus Hibbard, nonfiction author of The American Way and The Instrument of Your Happiness
  • To Ann Castro, my developmental editor and Judaic/creative consultant. Thank you for your support and encouragement through this whole process. Thank you for challenging me to dig deeper.
    Luke L. Laffin, spiritual self-help author of Reclaiming Your Core: Restoring the Foundations of Faith.
  • "You are truly amazing! As a friend and a professional who captured the magic [of my book project] with creative passion, patience and perseverance. A most heartfelt thanks for assisting me and translating my tapes and thoughts and reflecting them so beautifully on the printed page of this manuscript."
    ALG, NY Times bestselling author, nutritionist & writer of over 30 books
  • The EXCELLENT COPY brings the viewer clear and impactful statements, helping to create the fresh, updated face for AMMG. We're all pleased with your collaboration. For me, it's always a pleasure to work with you, and the results of that are working. Looking forward to more.
    Lisa Hoffman, web design/development and marketing consultant regarding project work for Age Management Medicine Group
  • "Outstanding job! Awesome, wonderful! Thank you so much. Ann, you have been absolutely wonderful to work with."
    John E. Adams/CEO-Cofounder Cenegenics, the global leader in age management medicine
  • "Awesome . . . great, that is the icing on the cake."
    Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, Rudy International
  • "You are amazing, what a great job you do every time. Thank you for making us look good."
    George Lesmes, PhD/Advocate Health Care
  • "An incredible writer. Thanks for making me sound so good!"
    Renee West/President & COO, Excalibur Hotel & Casino
  • "Ann, again perfect. Thanks."
    Rick Merner/Executive Director & Cofounder AMMG
  • "Fabulous! Many thanks. It'll be a great back cover for the program ad book and will be sure to garner attention . . . Great job!"
    Rabbi Yocheved Mintz,
    P'nai Tikvah: Cenegenics sponsorship ad for fundraising program book
    PnaiTikvahlv.org
  • "Ann is incredible!"
    Debbie Cassidy, Sr. Executive Assistant to Cenegenics CEO
  • "Thanks for all your great work!"
    Rachel Stack/Assistant Dean of Advancement, University of Illinois at Chicago
  • "Thank you again, for your excellent help on the [Temple Sinai's] Groundbreaking Ceremony! We are good to go and have you to thank for the very professional media help . . . much appreciation from all of us!"
    Paul S. Bodner/Temple Sinai in Las Vegas
    TempleSinailv.org
  • "Thanks, Ann and your team, for all of your time, energy, expertise and last-minute maximum effort. I really, really appreciate all you have done."
    Jeffry S. Life, MD, PhD/NY Times bestselling author, "The Life Plan"
  • "Thank you so very much for jumping head first into this fire drill. You were amazing and we truly appreciate your getting this handled."
    Kristy N. Berry/Chief of Staff, Cenegenics
  • "Thanks, Ann . . . another great job! Thanks again for all the great work you do for us."
    Jeffry S. Life, MD, PhD/DrLife.com
  • "Your team did an awesome job! We'll be very proud to take this presentation to our meeting tomorrow!"
    Peggy Weems/Director of Client Services & Operations, Corporate Health
  • "Wow! I love it! This is truly a great newsletter."
    Beth Traylor, MD/Senior Physician, Cenegenics
  • "Thanks again for all your contributions to Legacy! It just received Honorable Mention in the 2014 Southern California Book Festival (general fiction category) and Notable Book in the January 2015 Shelf Unbound competition (epic saga category) and was runner-up in the 2014 Florida Book Festival (young adult category). Hopefully, there will be more success to come."
    Ellery A. Kane, author of the double-gold winner YA fiction book, Legacy
  • To the AnnCastro Studio team who joined Ann on various phases of my book project: Jae Gravley (graphic production on my book cover and proofreader) and Katrina Ann Martin (scripture fact-checking). I appreciate your professionalism and attention to detail.
    Luke L. Laffin, spiritual self-help author of Go Face Yourself: A Healing Journey
  • To the AnnCastro Studio team who joined Ann on various phases of my book project, Jae Gravley (copyedit-proof phase and the graphic production artist who helped polish my design for the book front/back cover) and Katrina Ann Martin (editorial-review phase). I appreciate your professionalism and attention to detail.
    Luke L. Laffin, spiritual self-help author of Reclaiming Your Core: Restoring the Foundations of Faith
  • "Thanks, Ann, you are the best. You are always so responsive and on top of things. It really makes my life easier and it is appreciated."
    Carla Renee/Former Director of Operations, Cenegenics