Vele G.
https://perpetual-innovation-machine.com/
Writing can be a lonely process—you swing between thinking your work is brilliant and fearing it’s terrible, get lost in the weeds of endless edits, or stall out entirely. That’s where Pauline Hawkins comes in. She’s more than an editor—she’s your creative ally. With a sharp eye for detail, a deep understanding of story, and an unwavering belief in the authors she works with, she helps transform ideas into powerful, polished works. Pauline doesn’t just fix words—she helps you find your voice, strengthen your confidence, and bring your best work to life.
Her editorial skill is exceptional. Every comment she offered was thoughtful and precise—not just pointing out what could be improved, but explaining why it mattered and suggesting creative, practical ways to elevate my writing. What makes Pauline truly remarkable, however, is her ability to connect with both the text and the person behind it. She approached my eBook not as a detached editor, but as a genuine partner—someone who believed in my story as much as I did. She celebrated the wins, encouraged me through the challenges, and always brought me back to the bigger picture when doubt crept in.
Pauline’s blend of expertise, insight, and heartfelt support not only improved my book, but also reignited my joy and confidence as a writer. She doesn’t just edit words—she nurtures the storyteller within you. I am deeply grateful for her guidance, her belief in my work, and the generosity of spirit she brings to every project.
If you want someone who will stand in your corner, push you to reach your highest potential, and help bring your best work to life, Pauline Hawkins is the one you want by your side.
Dennis M.
As an author of numerous articles and books with University Presses—including a book that made the front page of The New York Times—I’m extremely concerned about all elements of my writing. And I know of no more helpful, sharp-eyed editor and book-consultant than Pauline Hawkins. She does not just correct all my grammatical errors and non sequiturs; she also helps with clarity, pacing, and the emotional and intellectual power of my passages.
But what truly separates Pauline from all other editors—a quality that she has exhibited with my works and those of dozens of other writers, students, etc.—is her total immersion in the text and deep connection she feels for the writer. In every work she edits—and I simply cannot stress how important this is—Pauline is clearly on the author’s side. She becomes an ally of the writer. She is cheering for the writer. She becomes moved by the story the author is trying to tell and all the feelings and ideas the author wants to convey. She celebrates, trembles, yearns, loves, and cries with the writer, which, in turn, gives her a profound appreciation for the writer’s text and goals. And it is this wonderful sensitivity—graced as it is in such an adept grammarian and reviser—that makes Pauline a uniquely special editor.
As an author of numerous articles and books with University Presses—including a book that made the front page of The New York Times—I’m extremely concerned about all elements of my writing. And I know of no more helpful, sharp-eyed editor and book-consultant than Pauline Hawkins. She does not just correct all my grammatical errors and non sequiturs; she also helps with clarity, pacing, and the emotional and intellectual power of my passages.
But what truly separates Pauline from all other editors—a quality that she has exhibited with my works and those of dozens of other writers, students, etc.—is her total immersion in the text and deep connection she feels for the writer. In every work she edits—and I simply cannot stress how important this is—Pauline is clearly on the author’s side. She becomes an ally of the writer. She is cheering for the writer. She becomes moved by the story the author is trying to tell and all the feelings and ideas the author wants to convey. She celebrates, trembles, yearns, loves, and cries with the writer, which, in turn, gives her a profound appreciation for the writer’s text and goals. And it is this wonderful sensitivity—graced as it is in such an adept grammarian and reviser—that makes Pauline a uniquely special editor.
Hope S.
Pauline Hawkins is an extraordinary writing coach whose attention to detail, genuine care, and passion for her craft truly set her apart. Pauline was my language arts teacher in high school, so getting to work with her 12 years later for my law school application essays felt like coming full circle in the best way. Now, years later, she still believes in me just as much, and that faith has made all the difference in this process.
I worked with Pauline on four essays that I’m truly proud of, essays that feel like me. She walked me through every step with so much care and attention to detail. She asked clarifying questions to ensure these papers were done to the highest level of excellence and to help me find my voice. From the first draft I sent her to final edits, Pauline provided thoughtful, constructive feedback that helped me understand the WHY of these papers and elevated my work at every stage. She has a remarkable talent for identifying the heart and passion of a narrative and ensuring it shines through in a polished and professional way. Her level of dedication to excellence and attention to detail made me feel supported and confident. Every time I doubted myself in this process, she reminded me of what I’m capable of, and I’ll never forget that.
What stood out most to me was Pauline’s genuine passion for helping me succeed. She tailored her instruction to fit my goals and celebrated every milestone along the way. This experience reminded me why she was my favorite teacher all those years ago. Pauline isn’t just an editor or writing coach; she’s someone who pours her heart and passion into helping others succeed. I’m so grateful for her guidance, her encouragement, and, most of all, her unwavering belief in me. I couldn’t have done this without her.
Heather G.
I approached Pauline for help with a personal essay. I have been an avid reader of the weekly
Modern Love column in the New York Times for years and on a whim, I wrote an essay for
submission. The New York Times receives one to two hundred submissions weekly so the odds
of being selected are not great. I knew my essay would need someone with a writing
background to review it. For starters, the original essay was well over the word count. And as a
nurse, I am used to writing concise and factual chart notes devoid of emotion and nuance.
Pauline helped me cut the sections that did not add to the story or my overall message. She
pointed out the areas that I needed to expand upon and guided me to write an ending that
brought the essay full circle. She was also patient with me when I did not write for months at a
time and while I figured out how to effectively use the comment feature in Google docs. I now
have an essay that I am really proud of which was only possible with her feedback and expert
eye. I don’t know if my essay with be selected for the column, but I do feel that I was able to
submit the best possible essay with her help. Thank you Pauline!
Joe P.
Over the years, every time I thought I’d like to try to write a novel, I’d get only so-far before discouragement set in and I’d abandon the idea. Well, I recently retired and I’ve run out of excuses, so once again I’ve cautiously approached the task. And, predictably, I got only so far before getting overwhelmed and on the verge of giving up.
But right at this point I happened to run into Pauline, an old acquaintance whom I hadn’t seen in a few years. As we were catching up she told me she had gotten certification as a writing coach and I jumped at the chance to see if she could get me beyond my current stasis.
Her approach, feedback and insight have been key to getting me over the roadblocks that, for me, have always been insurmountable. I’m a long way from finishing the job, but for the first time I feel like it is an attainable goal and I have Pauline to thank for that.
Sarahlee D.
The ways in which Pauline helped me with my novel are immeasurable. Between writing outlines and our amazing zoom calls, she has helped keep me organized, stay motivated, get me out of my writing slump, gave me confidence, and revived my zeal for writing again.
She helped me determine that my story was in fact a trilogy, which allowed me to construct three simple timelines for all three books. She didn’t shy away from constructive criticism and made me believe in what I was writing in a profound and encouraging way.
I believe in my heart she was born to coach aspiring and published authors. She truly has a gift with critiquing, analyzing, and appreciating literature. It’s a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of. Writing is often something done in solitude, but with Pauline coaching and encouraging me every step of the way, my passion, creativity, and love for writing has blossomed.
Candace C.
Pauline is an exceptional coach and writer. Over the past year, she guided me through creating a comprehensive book blueprint, crafting and refining a compelling book proposal, and developing an effective query letter and pitch strategy. Her positivity and enthusiasm made even the most challenging aspects of writing feel manageable, as she consistently brought creative solutions to the table. I was particularly impressed by her kindness, insightful feedback, and meticulous attention to detail. Working with Pauline has been an invaluable learning experience.
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