Bio

Dana Draper is an author, editor, and high school English teacher living in the Chicagoland suburbs. She has loved stories since she was old enough to read, and stories with any amount of magic hold a special place in her heart. Specifically, she values fantastical stories featuring queer and Asian representation that also explore the complexities of mental health and generational trauma. Her Adult Fantasy and all other fiction work is currently represented by Root Literary Agency.

In 2023, Dana graduated with her MA in English and Fiction Writing, and through her graduate coursework, she discovered her love for working with other authors as a developmental editor. She’s a member of the EFA and has worked as a freelance editor at Query Buddy Editorial for over four years, and she hopes to pursue that, along with writing, full-time one day. In her spare time, you’ll find Dana cozied up in her home office avidly reading, writing, or curled up on the couch rewatching Bridgerton or Game of Thrones.

Pronouns: She/Her

MSWL

I read to escape and to feel, so please flood me with emotion! Give me characters to connect with, whether I’m meant to love or hate them – I want them to feel real.

Things that make me super excited in the accepted genres listed below include: Asian rep, queer rep, vulnerable villains, cinnamon roll boys, ruthless girls, flawed heroes, revenge vs justice, non-western belief systems (especially imagined ones), female leads, and gray morals.

Accepting:

• Upper MG
  • Fantasy (including subgenres)
  • Contemporary fiction
• YA
  • Contemporary fiction
  • Romance
  • Dark Academia
  • Sci-Fi / Sci-Fantasy
  • Fantasy (including subgenres)
• Adult
  • Fantasy (including subgenres)
  • Fantasy Romance
  • Dark Academia
  • Sci-Fi / Sci-Fantasy

Not for me:

• Picture books or nonfiction
• Horror or excessive gore
• Religious fiction or anything with major religious themes
• Stories that focus heavily on sexual assault, rape, or violence towards women (minor mentions are okay, but they should be brief and not graphic)
• Pets dying

Q&A

How can a manuscript’s first five pages make you sit up and take notice?

As a reader and editor, lately I have craved an emotion-driven opening. I'm hoping for seamless immersion into your MC's entry point to the story. Whatever their predicament, problem, or situation, I want it to feel like it's mine and feel its weight / urgency. I want to be dropped into their heads and hearts - I'm a sucker for a strong character-driven narrative. Plot is important too... but... VIBES - you know what I mean? Feelings and vibes get me hooked!

What can writers expect from working with you during #RevPit, including communication?

My mindset as an editor is flexible; I aim to focus on one or two major developmental concepts (narrative structure, POV, voice, conflict, etc.) that my author wants the most attention on as they prepare to revise. Teamwork and goal-setting right away is key. With that said, my personal natural tendency is to focus on character development and overall plot sense as I read for a developmental edit. You can expect a collaborative attitude, a tough(ish)-love approach, and a willingness to explore multiple avenues for revision.

What do you expect from writers during the #RevPit revision process, including communication?

As an experienced teacher, editor, and author, I have become a pro at the ‘sandwich’ method, meaning you can expect me to find a shining moment or skill within your writing for every critique or need for improvement that I identify. I also aim to highlight any culturally sensitive content/topics within the story that may need extra care and thoughtfulness. As a #RevPit editor, I’ll work with you to set goals that feel actionable and comfortable for us both. I work best with written communication (poor memory issues) but am open to an initial Zoom meeting once the edit letter has been sent! The end of our work together will include an editorial discussion of the query package needed for the showcase. Please note: due to my 2026 schedule, I will not be offering a second read-through on the fully revised manuscript.

What hobbies do you have outside of writing and editing?

Beyond writing and editing, I love reading, playing video games, binging shows, watching films, or consuming stories any way I can. A favorite recent book and film of mine is HAMNET by Maggie O'Farrell (and directed by Chloe Zhao). This year, we are most anticipating the new seasons of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, SHRINKING, and BRIDGERTON! Obviously, my taste in television is sort of scattered across the board, but my husband and I love anything that we can connect with and talk about. My favorite video games include Fortnite (yes, I know - it is a guilty pleasure), Skyrim, and Diablo IV. You can also find me frequently snuggling my Border Collie, Juney, and enjoying very long walks in the nature preserve across the street.