Hi! We’re Rachel and Sydney, a.k.a.
SECOND DRAFT STUDIO.
And we’re here to help with your writing and editing needs.
What’s in a Name?
The second draft is where the magic begins: gibberish finds its sense of reason, themes and images emerge, and dull sentences start to sparkle.
But we don’t just start or stop with your second draft. From a messy first attempt, or even the seedling of an idea, to the polished, proof-read final version, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Why We’re Legit
With nearly 20 years of collective experience as writers and editors, we know how to choose our words.
Between the two of us, we’ve written for TV shows, launched consumer brands, revised manuscripts, and helped high schoolers get into the colleges of their dreams. We love supporting writers, and whether your project is as big as revising a novel or as small as fine-tuning a few sentences to post on your personal website, we’re here to help.
Services
Writing
Branded content & copywriting
Style guides
Speeches
Executive communications
Correspondences
emails to the boss, anxiety-inducing texts, etc.
Editing
Resumes & cover letters
Wedding vows & toasts
Manuscript consulting (let’s get that novel in shape before you query an agent)
College & graduate school applications
Online profiles
we can help you put your best foot forward on any platform from LinkedIn to Tinder
Meet the Studio
Rachel Zarrow
Rachel Zarrow is a writer, editor, and creative writing instructor. She received a B.A. from Stanford University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California Riverside Palm Desert. She writes nonfiction and fiction, and her work has appeared in various outlets including the Atlantic, the San Francisco Chronicle, Bon Appétit, Electric Literature, and Poets & Writers. She loves helping writers locate the pulse of their stories and find the most precise language for what they’re trying to say. When she’s not writing, Rachel enjoys painting, hiking, and playing with her dogs.
🖋️ "A word after a word after a word is power." - ✏️ Margaret Atwood 📓
🖋️ "A word after a word after a word is power." - ✏️ Margaret Atwood 📓
Sydney Mondry
Sydney Mondry is a writer, editor, and college essay coach based in San Francisco. She received a B.A. in Nonfiction Writing from Brown University, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from California College of the Arts, and a Certificate in Independent Educational Consulting from the University of California Irvine. She has previously worked as a food writer, social media director, and narration producer on the Hulu show “Eater’s Guide to the World.” Sydney’s writing has been featured on VICE, InStyle, Thrillist, ManRepeller, and Refinery29. When she’s not helping people build their personal narratives and find confidence in their writing voices, you can find her working on her novel, completing word puzzles, or (most likely) playing pickleball.
