Hi, I’m Gail. Welcome to The Savvy Red Pen.
I’m here to make your writing dreams a reality. With decades of experience as a writing coach, editor, and proofreader, I specialize in helping nonfiction writers become successful authors. Whether you’re starting your journey, making progress, or feeling stuck, I’ll guide you forward and conquer procrastination. I’m by your side, taking you from stress to success, chaos to clarity, and draft to dream. Your readers are waiting. Ready?
Current & Upcoming Programs
5-Day Kick-Start Nonfiction Writing Challenge
January 13 – 17, 2025
Take Your Ideas from Head to Paper! FREE 5-Day Writing Challenge Daily: Zoom Sessions, Noon-1:15 PM EST
45-Day Get It Done Writing Challenge
January 29 – March 12, 2025
Accelerate your writing with weekly team accountability sessions and small daily steps to get closer to finishing your book.
Self-Publishing for Nonfiction Authors
New Dates Coming Soon
The Savvy Self-Publishing Program guides you through 8 weeks of essential steps to take your manuscript to book-in-hand.
Services
Book Author Services
Writing Coaching • Copyediting • Proofreading • Project Management
Do you need support with your writing or the publishing process? The Savvy Red Pen provides moral support and accountability at any stage – concept, planning, evaluation, and production.
Student Services
College Application & Scholarship Essays • Writing Coaching • Copyediting
Do you know someone applying to undergraduate or graduate school? The Savvy Red Pen helps students craft effective essays that make them stand out in a sea of applicants.
Read Our Latest Blogs
College Application Essay Prompts: 2024-2025
College admission essay prompts are released on August 1st, so now is the time to pour over the options and decide which is best for you.
Free: 10 Tips to Self-Edit a Book: Increase Confidence, Save Money, and Accelerate Your Timeline
Writer Success Stories
Here’s what clients are saying about The Savvy Red Pen:
She went above and beyond typical editorial duties.
Working with Gail as my editor was a joy. She went above and beyond the typical editorial duties to ensure that my book was crisp and clear, and spoke poignantly to my target audience. I hope that we can work on other projects in the future. She truly cares about each project, and it shows.
Linda Peavy
Author of The Culture Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women
Gail Kerzner not only “got” my story but held me to the purpose for which I intended it!
“Gail’s developmental editing was the power and momentum behind my getting an offer to be published! She did the needed pre-work to grasp my memoir’s key messages and characters and to help me flesh them out. Thorough and meticulous, she was equally attentive to both content and clarity. A single word or sentence masterfully executed excited her, and an inconsistency in the storyline did not escape her. Most important, she believed in my story.
Gail’s sensitivity, enthusiasm, honesty yet affability, cultural awareness, and attention to detail make her outstanding at what she does. These qualities not only speak to her experience and talent, but clearly come from a place of care. I wholeheartedly recommend her and will seek her guidance for my next writing project.”
Leslie Ahmadi, PhD
Trainer and Educator on Language, Culture, and Diversity Issues
Soon To Be Published Author
Gail is the coach and cheerleader I needed to get across the finish line.
Gail’s goal is to evaluate your content so it’s inspiring and engaging, and she pays attention to all the minutiae because your finished product is just as important to her as it is to you. She made necessary changes while respecting my thoughts and the format that had already been laid out. I’m so grateful to know her and will continue to seek her guidance for my future writing projects. Gail is the coach and cheerleader I needed to get across the finish line.
Jan Thorpe
Author of Healing the Space Between Us: Connecting Across Racial and Economic Divisions
Gail's experience with authors and self-publishing was the jumpstart I needed to complete my first book.
My book project took a major step forward when I discovered Gail’s editorial capabilities and services. Her many years of experience in working with authors and knowing the ins and outs of self-publishing proved to be the jumpstart I needed to complete my first book. She was always responsive with valuable information and advice on the many steps necessary to complete the publication process. If I find another book in me, I’ll be giving Gail a call to bring it out.
Alan Ladwig
Author of See You in Orbit? Our Dream of Spaceflight
Gail is masterful at assuring clear and correct language.
When you’ve completed your draft, and it’s time for insightul editing and precise proofreading, consider working with Gail Kerzner, The Savvy Red Pen. She is masterful at assuring clear and correct language that tells your story your way.
C William Keck
Author of Working Together on Collaboration
I will be attending my dream school, UCSB, because of Gail’s coaching!
Before I met with Gail, I had written several essays I believed were good enough to submit to my college choices, but after meeting with her and brainstorming new ways to express myself through my writing, I realized I was only scratching the surface of what a college essay should entail. Not only did Gail help me improve my writing and grammatical skills, but she also helped me dig deeper into the meaning I wanted my essays to convey and the personal growth I wanted to show. Because of her coaching, I will be attending my dream school!
Izzy Hart
Accomplished student, accepted to UCSB
I've tried many essay services, but Gail's are the complete package.
Gail worked with me on communicating my ideas in an elegant and concise manner. Her professionalism and flexibility helped me produce quality work and meet my intense deadlines. She has been my writing mentor during high school, as a college undergraduate at OSU, and as a dental student at Case Western Reserve University. I am glad to say she is my essay specialist for life.
Hounein Arbaji
Accomplished graduate student, accepted to Case Western Reserve University Dental School
Gail creates an environment of energy and accountability.
Lee-Ann, an advocate for seniors in transition writing a roadmap for the future of older adults, shared, “Working with Gail inspired me to review and refine stories I wrote 12 years ago and finally bring them forward. The past 15 years in my business advocating for seniors in transition brought me first-hand knowledge of how it goes, and how it can go much better for them. People need this information, and this book will make their lives and transitions better and easier. Gail is helping me to get the roadmap for success out to them. She creates an environment of energy and accountability.”
Lee-Ann Spacek
5-Day Challenge Client
The daily, intentional focus helped me get over my fear and procrastination.
Jill, a leadership coach working on a book about her clients’ struggles and triumphs, shared, “I had made significant progress in the 5-day Kick-Start Challenge, but I really “got it done” in the deep-dive 45-Day Challenge. I more fully grasped practical applications and got motivated to build the habits I needed to sharpen my plan and draft engaging chapters. The daily, intentional focus helped me get over my fears and procrastination. And I loved being part of an encouraging peer group and sharing feedback.”
Jill Windelspecht
5-Day and 45-Day Challenge Client
Gail's honest feedback and encouragement pushed me to improve.
I felt helpless about writing my personal statement for orthodontics programs until I met Gail. She understood my stress and confusion, providing examples, tools, and personalized guidance. Her support helped me structure and refine my essay through multiple editing sessions. Gail’s honest feedback and encouragement pushed me to improve, and her talent for turning thoughts into concise, meaningful writing made the process enjoyable. She genuinely cared about my success, and I am grateful for her help. I will rely on her for future writing needs.
Serene Abu-Hamdan
Accomplished student, Case Western Reserve University Dental School
I couldn’t have achieved my goal without Gail’s help!
Gail’s guidance inspired and motivated me, helping me find inspiration. She found ways to help me dig deeper into my thinking, making my essay more personal and sentimental. Gail’s passion for helping me brainstorm ideas, refine my thoughts, and polish my final draft to perfection while giving me constructive and encouraging feedback made the process much smoother. I am incredibly grateful for her support and couldn’t have achieved this goal without her help!
Adalyne Wasmer
Student
I got a solid start on my book and a well-defined plan to continue.
Amanda Cotton, writing a memoir about loss of her mom and her husband, commented, “At the beginning of the challenge, I had only a vague idea about how to write a book. I knew I wanted to write one, but I didn’t really know how to start. The challenge helped me to narrow my book’s focus and purpose, organize my thoughts more cohesively, and create a story arc for the book. I got a solid start on my book and a well-defined plan to continue writing it. Thanks for the motivation, accountability, and opportunity to collaborate with a group for feedback.”
Amanda Cotton
45-Day Challenge Client