Centring Diaspora, Faith, and Cultural Storytelling
WHAT WE DO
OUR VALUES
The Izwi Conservancy is dedicated to preserving outstanding voices and stewarding understanding through creative and culturally responsive projects. We believe in the power of storytelling to drive social impact.
We believe in using what we have to elevate our generation and the next.
We centre women's experiences, diaspora, faith, cherishing them as the sources of sacred storytelling, providing platforms and resources for diverse narratives to thrive and inspire change.
We believe a person's craft should be the source of their livelihood and provide tools and the optimum environment to contribute to the creative economy. We preserve and incubate our living culture—equipping creatives and communities to author their own histories, master their craft, and shape the future.
Our Founder
Wanisai
Creative Professional
Wanisai's unique perspective is shaped by her bi-cultural heritage, bridging Zimbabwe and the UK. Her early career as a documentary film writer and researcher for influential organisations like the Wellcome Trust focused on critical social issues, fostering a profound understanding of diverse human experiences and the stories that connect people across cultures.
Community Advocate
Transitioning to community advocacy in the UK, Wanisai empowered families and championed authentic storytelling. Her dedication to film resulted in a Netflix-featured screenplay, and she now uses her expertise in developmental editing to help writers bring their strongest work to life. With nearly 30 years' experience across film, music, and community, she is a natural collaborator, committed to preserving and celebrating cultural narratives.
Lived Experience
At her core, Wanisai believes everyone holds powerful stories, and her passion lies in providing the voice, confidence, and connections needed to make those stories resonate and count.
TESTIMONIAL
Working with Wanisai was a turning point for my manuscript; her input helped the story win the Island Prize. I highly recommend her to any writer looking for a developmental editor who will not only refine their work, but genuinely elevate it.
SIMBA KUNDIZEZA ~ AUTHOR
Writing Services
Every service is tailored to honour the individuality of your manuscript. Indicative pricing is provided below — fixed project quotations are issued following an initial manuscript review.
Developmental Editing
Comprehensive structural evaluation, narrative pacing, and thematic analysis.
Starting at £30/hr
Project rates depend on complexity and condition.
Manuscript Assessment
High-level evaluation report addressing market readiness and core narrative arcs.
Starting from £100
Project rates depend on complexity and condition.
Line Editing
Detailed sentence-level refinement focusing on clarity, word choice, voice, and style.
Rates quoted per project
Project rates depend on complexity and condition.
Proofreading
Final polish checking grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
From £33/hr
Fixed project quotation provided before work begins.
Writing Coach
Personalised or group guidance, accountability, and technical craft support.
Hourly or retainer packages
Project rates depend on complexity and condition.
Developmental Editing
You paint the big picture, I fit the frame.
What it is
Developmental editing is all about firmly shaping the outline of your story until the big-picture is clear.
What it Does
- Pace – how the story moves, speeds up and slows down
- Structure – how the narrative is built and ordered
- Voice – consistency and strength of the narrative voice
- Plot – how events connect and build
- Character development – how characters grow and stay consistent
What I Do
- Stay in open communication with you throughout the project
- Edit using Word Track Changes
- Read your full manuscript
- Provide a detailed editorial report
- Provide a style guide
- Provide a character list for sustained consistency
How Much it Costs
Project rates depend on complexity and condition.
Starting at £30/hr.
10k words — £550+
50k words — £2,200+
100k words — £4,500+
Manuscript Assessment
The best way to find out if you trust my judgement.
What it is
A high-level evaluation report addressing market readiness and core narrative arcs.
What it Does
- Story potential – identifies the manuscript's strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for development.
- Narrative clarity – assesses how clearly ideas, events and information are communicated.
- Consistency – checks continuity, accuracy and consistency throughout the manuscript.
- Readability – evaluates language, expression, flow and ease of reading.
- Audience appeal – considers how effectively the manuscript connects with its intended readership.
What I Do
- Stay in open communication with you throughout the process
- Read the agreed sample
- Provide a detailed report with actionable guidance
- Provide a style guide
- Provide a character list for sustained consistency
How Much it Costs
Project rates depend on complexity and condition.
- £300 — 10,000-word sample assessment with actionable guidance
- £100 — Quick Read flat fee: 1,000-word read and feedback
Line Editing
Reading between the lines.
What it is
Detailed sentence-level refinement focusing on clarity, word choice, voice, and style.
What it Does
- Sentence structure – improves sentence construction, variety and readability.
- Word choice – distils vocabulary for precision, clarity and impact.
- Clarity – ensures meaning is clear and expression is effective.
- Flow – improves the rhythm and connection between sentences and paragraphs.
- Consistency – maintains consistency in tone, language, style and expression.
What I Do
- Read and edit your manuscript line by line.
- Refine sentence structure, word choice and expression.
- Improve clarity, flow and readability while preserving your voice.
- Edit using Word Track Changes.
- Provide editorial comments where further clarification or development is needed.
- Provide a style guide to support consistency throughout your manuscript.
How Much it Costs
Project rates depend on complexity and condition.
Every line edit is quoted per project after an initial review of your manuscript.
Coaching & Editorial Offers
Your dedicated partner in literary success.
What it is
Personalised support for writers at any stage, blending bespoke coaching with expert editorial insights. This service focuses on long-term development, overcoming creative blocks, and refining your craft through tailored guidance.
What it Does
- Goal setting – defining your writing aspirations and project milestones.
- Craft development – enhancing your skills in areas like plot, character, and voice.
- Accountability – regular check-ins to keep you motivated and on track.
- Problem-solving – strategising solutions for creative challenges and obstacles.
- Reduces financial burden - Capped group sizes ensure individualized attention.
What I Do
- Provide one-on-one virtual coaching sessions.
- Offer constructive feedback on submitted work (e.g., chapters, outlines).
- Develop custom action plans and exercises.
- Share resources and industry knowledge.
- Maintain a supportive and confidential environment.
How Much it Costs
Tailored packages available to suit your needs and project scope.
- Retainer packages: Enquire for custom monthly plans.
EDITORIAL SERVICES
Coaching & Editorial Offers
High-impact manuscript assessment, screen adaptation, and structural editing for diaspora writers and contemporary storytellers.
Diaspora Manuscript Sweep
A comprehensive structural diagnosis for completed fiction and non-fiction works, meticulously evaluating narrative flow, character arcs, non-linear pacing, and thematic resonance.
— Full structural feedback
— Character arc evaluation
— Non-linear narrative pacing
— Thematic alignment
Ideal for writers preparing their manuscript for submission or self-publishing.
Adaptation Masterclass
Specialised transition strategies for adapting short stories and prose into compelling screenplays, focusing on visual translation and pacing for film.
— 1-on-1 coaching
— Scene visual translation
— Logarithmic pacing for visual medium
— Story bible framing
Perfect for authors seeking to expand their prose into film or visual storytelling formats.
10k-Word Assessment
An intensive early-stage evaluation, providing detailed line-by-line feedback on the first 10,000 words, ensuring a strong foundation for your work-in-progress.
— Detailed line-by-line feedback
— Opening chapter hook analysis
— Tone check
— Structural recommendations
Suited for authors testing the foundation of a work-in-progress before committing to full drafting.
Cultural Strategy
Bridging community wisdom with strategic creative infrastructure to build authentic, inclusive, and enduring cultural projects.
- Community Engagement
- Facilitated Workshops & Conversations
- Community Insight & Evaluation Reports
- Creative Development
- Supporting Placemaking
- Supporting Wellbeing & Belonging
- Diversity Audits
- Audience Engagement
- Promoting Accessibility & Inclusivity
- Promoting Belonging
Gallery
Get in Touch
Have a project in mind? Reach out and let's talk about how we can bring it to life. We promise we'll get back to you within two business days.