
WHAT'S NEW AT TWEAK
Freelance Editing, Writing Coach, Manuscript Feedback
Hello and welcome to Tweak! I've been working as a writing instructor, editor, manuscript reader, and creative nonfiction writer for over 20 years. My passion is to help you meet your writing needs, from passing high school English and preserving family legacy to developing a manuscript of creative writing.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS I CAN HELP WITH:
college application essays
Ph.D dissertations and masters theses
feedback for fiction or nonfiction manuscripts
overcoming writing blocks
identifying writing strengths
academic essays and research papers
personal and family stories
memoir
any writing or editing project you can dream up!
SERVICES
What You Need



EDITING
Precise and Professional
I can address your writing project at multiple levels: focus, organization, content, tone, clarity, grammar, punctuation, and citation--as well as vivid language, strong images, engaging anecdotes, and emotional impact.
I generally charge $30 - $50 per hour depending on the project.
TUTORING/COACHING
A Perfect Blend of Support and Challenge
I've worked with students of all ages for many years. I know what works! My goal is to give you the confidence and skills you need to write papers or stories you can be proud of.
$30 - $50 per hour
MANUSCRIPT READING AND RESPONSE
Close Reading, Insightful Feedback
I can give you precise, insightful, and extensive feedback on your work. You decide on the type and amount of feedback you'd like to receive. I can comment on such things as character development, theme, narrative arc, and other elements of creative writing. I will point out the specific strengths of the work and keep the focus on what you are trying to achieve.
$30-$50 per hour

TESTIMONIALS
Word on the Street
(MORE TO COME SOON!)
If you are looking for a nonjudgmental yet honest review of your work, then Richel is an excellent choice. I highly recommend her!
Barbara Radke
When I think of Richel, three words come to mind – Creative, Caring and Courageous. From her writings and drawings I have seen she is creative; she always is working on something. She is a caring person, supporting her family and her friends. In the time I’ve known her I’ve seen her try many new things both personally, professionally and artistically; it takes an inner courage to be able to do that.
Tim Kane
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WHO I AM
My name is Richel (rhymes with "Michelle") Burkey-Harris. Welcome to my website!
While I’ve always loved writing, it often took a back seat to other preoccupations: getting through college, teaching biology, taking journalism and lit classes, teaching English composition, getting married and raising a son. Through all of it, I read voraciously and kept a never-ending journal, as well as writing poems, stories, and hundreds of pieces of personal memoir. I also wrote and edited articles, book reviews, poster texts, press-releases, and other pieces for the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, the Bell Museum of Natural History Imprint, The Phoenix, The Minnesota Daily, the Minnesota Horticulturist, and other publications.
For a long time I yearned to do more—especially to work on a long memoir. When I finally made the difficult decision to leave classroom teaching, the words started flowing. It hasn't been easy! Like all writers, I've had to develop strategies for pushing past fear and self-doubt. The more I refine my own writing process, the more I feel drawn to help others do the same, with a great deal of sensitivity, compassion, and encouragement.
GET IN TOUCH
