Romance, literary fiction, memoirs, biographies, religion, new age, spirituality, inspiration, self-help, how-to
SARAH ANDERSON is a freelance editor and writer, experienced in fiction and nonfiction. Her work has been called outstanding, and she was solely responsible for editing the three most successful romances published by Banbury Books and distributed by Dell. Her recent nonfiction projects include A Loving Guide to These Shifting Times and Biography of A Time Traveler: the Man behind the 2012 Phenomenon. Recent fiction projects include The Apprentice and Sisters of War. Sarah is an acknowledged contributor to The Wisdom of The Enneagram, published by Bantam. She has self-published a relationships handbook, Relationships Made Easy: How to get along with all kinds of people, and has written articles on the psychology of personality.
Sarah is clearly a gifted, disciplined editor. It was obvious that she took great care to preserve my voice, and not to change meaning when structure needed adjusting. Her art is subtle – at first glance, I wondered what she’d done . . . but the changes added power, conviction, and flow to my thoughts. I am so glad I found my way to Sarah!
“I will never do a book without Sarah!” – Alice Inoue, Feng Shui Your Life, A Guide To Self-Empowerment And Environmental Balance, Winner, 2011 National Indie Excellence Award in Body, Mind, Spirit; Be Happy: It’s Your Choice, Finalist, 2011 National Indie Excellence Award in Body, Mind, Spirit
Manuscript critiques and evaluations, developmental line editing, writing help, getting manuscripts ready for submission or self-publishing, copyediting
Fiction: literary, historical, crime, thriller, mystery, contemporary, mass market, women’s, romance, fantasy, international or literature in translation, chick lit. General nonfiction: memoir, how-to, tell-all, general guides, health, finance, business.
LISA BALTHAZAR loves working with writers of fiction, general nonfiction, and memoirs and has done so for over 20 years. She has helped everyone from Pulitzer Prize nominees to debut authors make their books the best they can be.
Every writer is different, but every writer Lisa has worked with has walked away with a better, stronger, more publishable or submission-ready manuscript.
“Lisa Rojany Buccieri is an excellent editor. She has edited several manuscripts for me that were sent to my agent who accepted them without change and sent them on to various publishing houses. They were published by Simon & Schuster with a minimum of editing, thanks to Lisa’s insightful and enlightened work. I highly recommend her.”
—Ellen Jones, THE FATAL CROWN, BELOVED ENEMY, GILDED CAGES, Simon & Schuster/Open Road Media
As an editor, Lisa has helped hundreds of writers hone their skills in writing—and many have returned through their publishers or on their own for their second and third books. She is always a writer’s most honest critic but biggest cheerleader, making sure your book makes the grade.
Lisa is a former publishing executive who saw hundreds of books through the publishing process from concept to bookstore shelf. She greatly enjoyed being Editorial Director for publishers such as PSS/Penguin Random House, Intervisual Books, Golden Books, Gateway Learning Corp (Hooked on Phonics), and other established publishing houses.
Services Lisa offers include:
• manuscript read-throughs with evaluations
• developmental editing
• line editing
• copyediting
• critiques
• free query letter editing
Lisa can help you get your manuscript ready to face the world.
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Substantive editing, copyediting, rewriting
Fiction and nonfiction: literary, how-to, psychology, self-help, crime fiction, adult, young adult, drama, fantasy, sci-fi, true crime, international relations, current affairs, nature and science, military history, forensic science, travel
MICHAEL CARR has edited or copyedited 300+ fiction and nonfiction titles for major publishers and authors. Notable nonfiction authors include Bernard Goldberg (NY Times best-seller Arrogance), CNN anchor Lou Dobbs (Exporting America), Rev. Al Sharpton (Al on America), and CNN Crossfire host Tucker Carlson (Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites). Michael edits most fiction genres but specializes in literary and historical, crime/mystery, drama, fantasy, and science fiction.
Notable fiction authors include Brad Meltzer (#3 NY Times best-seller The Zero Game), NY Times Notable Book of the Year author Archer Mayor (The Surrogate Thief, Gatekeeper, The Second Mouse), crime grandmaster Donald Westlake (the Dortmunder series), and the fantasy master Michael Moorcock (The White Wolf’s Son).
Michael has also edited eight published volumes on world affairs and some twenty self-help books (medical, psychological, personal growth, and business) and has translated a dozen novels and other literary works from Spanish to English.
Co
pyediting, proofreading, developmental editing
KATHRYN CLAPPER is passionate about partnering with both nonfiction and fiction authors to bring their ideas and stories alive. With 14 years of experience editing more than 350 titles and textbooks for major publishers such as National Geographic, Candlewick Press, Scholastic, Prentice Hall, Pearson Longman, and Blackwell-Wiley, Kathryn knows what it takes to convert an idea into a bound book. With every manuscript, she acts as an advocate of the reader while holding true to the author’s style.
Her talents do not stop at developmental editing, however. When performing book critiques and evaluations, Kathryn provides constructive feedback on big-picture issues in both fiction and nonfiction works, including structure, organization, repetition, language use, plot, characterization, narrative pacing, style, voice, tone, and length. Her evaluations encompass both strengths and areas for improvement. As an eagle-eyed copyeditor and proofreader, she relentlessly perfects details while keeping the big picture in mind.
Kathryn is a certified English teacher with a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University (anthropology) and a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (teaching and curriculum). Her areas of expertise include literary nonfiction, YA fiction, memoirs, biography, general interest nonfiction, scholarly works, children’s nonfiction, and instructional content in the humanities and social sciences.
Books Published/Edited | Trade Nonfiction
Founding Fathers: The Fight for Freedom and the Birth of American Liberty by K. M. Kostyal & Jack N. Rakove (2014)
The Hidden Life of Wolves by Jim Dutcher & Jamie Dutcher (2013)
Visions of Earth: National Geographic Photographs of Beauty, Majesty, and Wonder (2013)
Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America’s First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone
(2013)
True Love: 24 Surprising Stories of Animal Affection by Rachel Buchholz (2013)
My Boy Has Autism: A Father’s Journey by Kyle Wilkin (2013)
100 Scientific Discoveries That Changed the World by Barbara Brownell (2012)
Homo Electrus: The Next Generation Human by Rabih S. Ballout (2012)
Brainworks: The Mind-bending Science of How You See, What You Think, and Who You Are by Michael S. Sweeney (2011)
Ocean Soul by Brian Skerry (2011)
The Ragged Edge of Silence: Finding Peace in a Noisy World by John Francis (2011)
The People’s Pharmacy: Quick and Handy Home Remedies by Joe and Terry Graedon (2011)
Face to Face with Manatees by Brian Skerry (2010)
Vampire Forensics: Uncovering the Origins of an Enduring Legend by Mark Collins Jenkins (2010)
True Green Life in 100 Everyday Ways by Kim McKay (2010)
Earth in the Hot Seat: Bulletins from a Warming World by Marfé Ferguson Delano (2009)
Spies of Mississippi: The True Story of the Spy Network That Tried to Destroy the Civil Rights Movement by Rick Bowers (2010)
Secret Subway: The Fascinating Tale of an Amazing Feat of Engineering by Martin Sandler (2009)
Alice has worked with Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Circle, and the PEN/Faulkner award winners, as well as first-time novelists. She does book evaluations, developmental content editing, and copy editing.
ALICE DAY has been an editor since 1988. After earning a graduate degree in creative writing at Brown University, she has worked at the book publishers Henry Holt and Company and Carroll & Graf Publishers. Writer Don Smith, whose awards include 19 regional Emmys, said of Alice Day, “She’s the kind of editor every writer should be so lucky to have.” She has been a fiction editor for numerous award-winning authors–Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award–and first-time novelists. She does detailed manuscript evaluations, as well as developmental/substantive editing, and is also a skilled copy editor.
Her fiction specialties include short stories, novellas, literary fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction, women’s fiction, chick lit, thrillers, mysteries, and detective/crime novels.
Alice Day is an award-winning writer with eight collections of poetry and a novel that have been published by nationally-recognized publishing houses. Kathleen Wakefield, whose novella won the 2008 Cleveland State University novella contest, said “that [Alice] has been an editor at a major New York publishing house gives her insight into that complicated world; that she is a poet, I believe, gives her the sensitivity to find the beauty of a writer’s individual work.” Alice Day has the skill and experience to focus on a writer’s vision and help the writer realize it. She’s a hands-on editor who’s not afraid to cut words and offer insights. And she has a poet’s sensitivity to language.
Writing coach, mentor, developmental editor, collaborator, ghostwriter, publishing strategist
Before STACEY DONOVAN became a professional editor more than 20 years ago, she worked in a literary agency where she learned how to say no more often than yes, and include reasons why. A stint in advertising followed, teaching her to tell it short and sweet, meet deadlines, and most important: never give up.
Donovan is a six-time published book author of both fiction and non-fiction. She has edited or ghostwritten more than a dozen published books for her clients. Two became New York Times Bestsellers, and another nominated for Best First Novel by International Thriller Writers. She is experienced in many genres: contemporary/mainstream, caper/detective, erotica, gay/lesbian, literary fiction, mystery, psychological thriller, suspense, women’s fiction, young adult, memoir/autobiography, creative nonfiction.
Editing Specialties
- Detailed critique/evaluation of your manuscript
- Developmental/structural/stylistic edit of your manuscript
- Complete revision of your manuscript
- Collaborate with you in a mentoring capacity as you edit your manuscript
- Collaborate with you on a query and/or synopsis when the manuscript is ready for publication
- Determine with you which literary agent would be suitable for representation
- Determine with you whether to pursue mainstream, small, or self-publishing
- Consultation on your initial and/or ongoing social media strategy
l young adult childrens books” width=”140″ height=”213″ class=”editor” align=”left”>ANA HOWARD is the author of eight well-reviewed and award-winning novels and has helped many others with their manuscripts. After working in public schools for many years, she has now been a part of the publishing industry for fifteen years and provides a creative and supportive environment. She is an avid reader and editor of contemporary literature and offers the following services:
• Mentoring
• Developmental, substantive and content editing
• Formatting and guidance on the submission process
• Query letters and synopses
• Advice for self-publishing authors
PUBLISHING CREDITS INCLUDE:
- Water at the Blue Earth, young adult historical fiction (Roberts Rinehart)
- A Ceiling of Stars, middle grade contemporary fiction (American Girl)
- Nowhere, Now Here, middle grade contemporary fiction (American Girl)
- The Magic of Ordinary Days, adult historical fiction (Viking Penguin)
- Under a Stand Still Moon, young adult historical fiction (Brown Barn Books)
- Call Me the Canyon, young adult historical fiction (Brown Barn Books)
- Nicki, contemporary middle grade fiction (American Girl)
- Thanks to Nicki, contemporary middle grade fiction (American Girl)
She has seen one of her novels made into film (for Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions on CBS) and has won numerous literary awards. She believes that even in today’s tough publishing climate, it is still possible for new writers to enter the business and succeed. Second to writing her own novels, she loves to mentor others to help them achieve their goals. She knows firsthand how writers benefit from the help and support of other writers and/or editors.
Author Feedback
“My novel had lingered in the offices of editors at the Big Six for years. Ana’s editing was timely and skillful and showed an understanding of my work. I used 95% of her suggestions and cut 200 pages from a 600 page manuscript. End result is a book with a clean, compelling narrative that has been called ‘a gripping read’. Reader reviews of my book at Amazon and Goodreads have been very gratifying and allowed me to enter the top 100 for science-fiction/fantasy. Kirkus Reviews selected Prophets of the Ghost Ants as one of their Best of 2011. I would recommend Ana Howard’s services to any author whose work needs an edit. Cost of the service was more than fair and the end result was priceless.” —Clark T. Carlton
Manuscript Critiques | Substantive Editing | Copyediting | Proofreading
Christian fiction (for both adults and young adults), action, military, historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, contemporary, mainstream, trade
JOHN DAVID KUDRICK (MA in Journalism, Professional Writing: Fiction).
You are sitting at your computer, smiling, with an incredible sense of satisfaction in your heart. After more hours than you can count, you’ve finally finished your novel – a story from deep inside your soul that you want to share with the world.
But soon the questions start hitting your mind: Is it the very best that it can be? Will anyone even want to read it? Will an agent or publisher want to look at it?
With more than a decade of experience as an editor, John David understands the gamut of feelings that comes with getting your novel from your hard drive onto the shelf at your local bookstore. That’s why he’d love to partner with you in getting your novel to the next level.
- Manuscript Critiques – With a detailed evaluation document and page-by-page comments / suggestions throughout your novel, find out exactly how you can make your good story even better.
- Substantive Editing – Receive guidance and hands-on editorial help from John David in reorganizing and revising your story to take care of style, structure, content, plotting, character, story flow, and point-of-view issues. Also includes copyediting and proofreading.
- Copyediting – Got the big-picture stuff down already? Then let John David take care of grammar, word usage, tone, format, and more with a copyedit that will add a shine to your story. Also includes proofreading.
- Proofreading – Don’t let your story get tossed aside because of a misspelled word or misplaced punctuation. Get your novel as clean as can be by allowing John David to read through it and fix typos, inconsistencies, misspellings, and punctuation problems.
- Book Proposal Development – Novel ready for submission? Then you’re ready to develop your book proposal. Together, you and John David will create a compelling, well-crafted document that’s a necessity in getting published.
THEODORA O’BRIEN focuses on mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, adventure, and horror titles. She has considerable experience with trade non-fiction. As Editorial Director of her own publishing house, Theodora published almost 100 titles, garnering several awards in “Best Of” categories. Almost half of the titles were bought for paperback reprints, and two were optioned for TV/movies. She has invaluable knowledge about the industry, the type of people who run it, how to work within it, and tips for getting your foot in the door. She’s reviewed, evaluated, and edited thousands of manuscripts through the years, and uses that knowledge to help her clients produce results-driven manuscripts, query letters, and synopses. She works particularly hard at staying in the author’s “voice,” making sure the facts and dialogue match the time period in which the book is set, and “losing” excess verbiage. She’s a good mentor, hard worker, and in many cases, has ultimately become a good friend.
Specialties
- Detailed written critique/evaluation of your manuscript that asks questions, points out conflicts, confused timelines, characterization difficulties, etc., in the manuscript itself so the guide is always there for you to follow as you rework it.
- Mentor you with creative ideas, and guide you through the whole gamut of what’s what in the publishing industry (i.e.: whether traditional or self-publishing is best for you).
- Hands on content edit (aka copy-edit, aka line edit), structural/stylistic edit of your manuscript, doing everything to get your manuscript ready for a traditional agent, a traditional editor, a self-publishing company, or ready for submission to an e-publisher.
- Work with you on a query and/or synopsis when the manuscript is ready for publication, should you want that.
Copyediting, proofreading, developmental, substantive and structural editing, fiction book critiques
ARLENE ROBBINS has developed and edited 500+ full-length manuscripts in a variety of genres since 1996. Her clients include women’s fiction author Angie Daniels, London Times best-selling nonfiction author Catherine G. McCall, Bram Stoker Award-long listed Sue Dent, award-winning Young Adult author Hannah R. Goodman, AFCW-nominated Christian fiction author Laura Frantz, and award-winning journalist and Huffington Post contributor Daleen Berry.
Arlene welcomes new or published authors as clients, and enjoys helping journalistic, business and academic writers transform their writings into marketable, polished products for mainstream readers.
“Arlene is everything you want in an editor: thorough, timely and accommodating. If it weren’t for her, I certainly would not have landed a publisher for my manuscript. Not only was her editing topnotch, her advice on everything about publishing was very helpful. Arlene really cares about the work she does and it shows!” – Josh Richardson, Ahead of the Pack: Balancing Your Way to Personal Success in College, Thomson Delmar Learning (May 2005)
Manuscript Evaluations, Critiques, Organizational and Developmental Editing, Line Editing
ANGELA ROSE is a publishing industry insider whose most recent in-house position was at Random House’s Ballantine Bantam Dell imprint, where she worked for five years. While in this position, she edited a wide variety of commercial fiction and non-fiction, including several books for the Loveswept digital publishing line, and provided editorial support for a list of acclaimed, bestselling authors that included Mary Balogh, Barbara O’Neal, Suzanne Brockmann, and H. P. Mallory. She also evaluated hundreds of manuscripts and book proposals in the following categories: general fiction, women’s fiction, romance, science fiction and fantasy, young adult fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, and self-help. In addition, Angela has done freelance editorial work for Amazon’s 47North imprint, Harlequin E, and Callisto Media.
As an editor, Angela addresses both big picture issues and minute details. She gives writers in-depth suggestions on how to fix problems with plot, structure, characterization, pacing, and more, and is also a pro at catching inconsistencies, repetitions, errors, and fixing clunky dialogue and prose. To her, there is nothing more satisfying than helping an author produce his or her dream book.
Before embarking upon her career as an editor, Angela earned a bachelor’s degree with high honors in English from the College of William and Mary and attended the Columbia Publishing Course in New York City. She is also a published freelance writer.
“Angela has been a dream to work with. Insightful, fast, competent, and responsive. I could not be happier!” –Ava Miles, author of Nora Roberts Land
“Angela did a great job editing my work, providing me with an enhanced, polished manuscript as well as a positive learning experience. In addition to editing, Angela provided comments throughout my work, including recommendations on how to enrich my storyline. She also created an amazing (and highly compelling) query letter for me to use in solicitation. I truly appreciate the outstanding work and would highly recommend Angela to others.” –Christina Clifford, author of Happily Ever After
“Angela is an editing genius; she’ll make your books sing!” –Sue Grimshaw, Category Specialist & Editor at Large, Random House Publishing Group
“Angela Rose has been a valued reader and editor for our online literary journal. We especially appreciate her perceptive and clear comments on the writings presented to her.” –Rick Rofihe, Anderbo Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
MARIE VALENTINE’s editorial work ranges from conceptual and developmental brainstorming to copy editing and proofreading, as well as the nitty-gritty of print and Web production. She has worked in acquisitions and production for the renowned new age book publisher Llewellyn Worldwide. She has also served as a news editor and writer, business technology editor, poet and small press publisher of experimental works by contemporary writers. Marie will use her knowledge in literature and nonfiction to clarify your thoughts with minimal alteration, but she is also open to experiments and will adapt easily and quickly to your perceived vision and goals. A flexible editor and proofreader with a light touch, Marie will help your prose shine while keeping your personal style intact.
—10+ years proofreading experience (print, web, digital, books, magazines, news weeklies, chapbooks and more)
—6 years business and technology editing experience
—5 years book manuscript editing experience, both fiction and nonfiction
—4 years publisher acquisitions experience – Ruminator (small press), university press (U of MN), commercial press (Llewellyn). She knows what publishers look for in a book.