Manuscript critiques and evaluations, developmental line editing, writing help, getting manuscripts ready for submission or self-publishing, copyediting
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.
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.
“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
Developmental editing, writing assistance, query letters, book proposals, submissions to literary agents and publishers
After twenty years in education and human services, BETH BRUNO began a second career in 1995 as a columnist, author and book editor. Hundreds of her articles have been published in print and online, and her first book, Wild Tulips, came out in 2001 and went into a second printing in 2002. Beth’s proximity to New York and her position as President of the CT Authors and Publishers Association give her unique access to literary agents and publishers in and around New York City. Several of the authors whose manuscripts she has edited have been published in the mainstream, thanks to her referrals on their behalf. Others have published their work independently, either in print or as e-books.
Beth’s editing interests are eclectic and include a delicious mix of fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and children’s works. Among the 350+ manuscripts she has edited, she has a special affinity for: mystery/suspense, women’s fiction, memoir, psychology topics, romance, self-help, how-to, and both fiction and nonfiction for young adult (YA) readers.
In addition to editing, Beth serves as a judge for the Indie Book Awards, an excellent contest for authors who self-publish. Winners receive cash prizes, publicity, and introduction to literary agents and publishers.
“I want to thank Beth for the spectacular job she did editing my book, which has just been published. When Beth first*** received the manuscript, she understood what was missing and recognized the changes needed to improve the flow, characterization, plot, etc., of my novel. She had a keen eye for small details. Beth was also always very available to discuss suggestions, and she quickly came up with alternatives to solve the problems we encountered along the way. She guided me through the particulars of my novel to the final polished product. The result: A published book.” Oscar Medina
Substantive editing, copyediting, rewriting
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.
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 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.
Develop
mental editing, ghostwriting, and book proposals for submission
HENRY DENARD is a writer and editor of commercial mainstream nonfiction and fiction.
Denard co-founded and was editor in chief at a publishing company (distributed by Random House) where he oversaw (and often helped to write) dozens of books.
Denard’s bestselling nonfiction and fiction authors include Chris Wallace, Catherine Crier, Matthew Modine, Brett Favre, Joe Namath, and Steven Pressfield. Denard’s titles have been featured in “The New York Times” (including front page) and on “Sixty Minutes,” “Oprah,” “The Today Show,” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”
Two of Denard’s published books sold to film studios for over $1 million.
Denard recently helped to write, edit and publish The Fiscal Cliff by Ayse and Selahattin Imrohorogolu (2012, Ending Spending) on behalf of Joe Ricketts (founder of T.D. Ameritrade).
Denard has also written for The New York Times Magazine and American Express’ Departures magazine.
On the film side, Denard produced The Conspirator, starring James McAvoy, Kevin Kline, and Robin Wright; directed by Robert Redford; Gone in 60 Seconds (Touchstone) starring Nicolas Cage; The Negotiator (Warner) starring Samuel Jackson and Kevin Spacey; and Citizen X (HBO). He is a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA, the screenwriters’ union) and uses Final Draft when working with writers of screenplays.
Denard has experience with contract negotiations, film and book production, sales, distribution, marketing, publicity, and subsidiary rights.
He can assist with literary agent and publisher selection as well as the fiction or nonfiction submission package, including query letters and book proposals.
LAURA HARVEY is passionate about reading and producing high-quality books, and she is the perfect editor to take a manuscript from rough draft to finished, polished product. Since 2006, she has edited for numerous publishers, including Common Ground Publishing, Mayhaven Publishing, and Northwestern University Press. Her interests include nonfiction, children’s literature (picture books through young adult books), historical fiction, the arts, and education.
Laura has edited technical papers, novels, marketing materials, and legal documents professionally for the last seven years. Prior to becoming a full-time editor, she was an elementary school teacher. After graduating with honors from the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, Laura later added a master’s degree in curriculum, technology, and education reform. Using her teaching background and attention to detail, Laura copyedits and proofreads all manuscripts with eagle-eye precision. No mistake will go unnoticed—from character development to grammatical errors, all aspects of a manuscript will be developed.
SARA HOPKINS
Developmental Editor, Copy Editor, Proofreader, and Ghostwriter
With over twenty years’ experience in the publishing industry Sara Hopkins has edited or copyedited nearly three hundred manuscripts for clients around the globe. Sara was employed full-time at Bantam Dell in New York before striking out as a freelancer for such major publishers as Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Rodale.
Praised by authors and publishers alike as a detail-oriented editor with an eye for plot and character inconsistencies, she believes the devil is in the details and a fine-tooth comb is essential to bring a manuscript to its full potential. Motivated by her love of a fabulous book, Sara knows what it takes to turn a good story into a great read without compromising the author’s unique perspective and voice.
“Sara did a fantastic job of editing my novel and returning it in a timely fashion. She was both professional and friendly and answered any question that I may have had. I would recommend her services or the network to anyone who needs to have editing services.” Sabrina Asper
“Sara is the most talented editor I have ever encountered. What makes her different is her keen ability to understand the author’s voice and not impose hers on top. She gets it. I would not even think about using someone else for my next book.” Richard Steiner
“Her input and suggestions has proved extremely valuable and there is no question in my mind that it has gone a long way in helping take the novel to the next level.” Matt Zietsman
ANA HOWARD is the author of eight well-reviewed and award-winning novels, four of which are in the historical fiction genre, 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 passionate about reading and editing historical fiction 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
SANDRA JUDD is an editor, proofreader, and indexer with more than 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Her clients have included university presses, large, mainstream publishers, and smaller presses and professional organizations. She has edited or proofread over 300 published books, on topics that include politics, history, business, literary criticism, ethnic history, anthropology, science and medicine, industry manuals, memoirs, Christian and inspirational, parenting and relationships, humor, and fiction.
She has edited 20+ volumes in the Health Reference Series published by Omnigraphics, all published under her name as editor.
She has also edited professional journals and newsletters, business plans, scholarly articles being prepared for publication, economic plans to be distributed to the state legislature, and a number of dissertations.
She has prepared indexes for more than 30 published books.
She strives for precision in language and is devoted to making the author’s voice heard.
- Proofreading and copyediting
- Stylistic editing
- Substantive editing
- Indexing
- Fiction: Thrillers, mysteries, Christian, historical fiction
- Nonfiction: Inspirational, self-help, business, science and medicine, ethnology, history, political science, memoirs, scholarly/textbooks
Manuscript Critiques | Substantive Editing | Copyediting | Proofreading
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, whatever stage you may be at after you’ve written it …
- 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.
JAMES N. POWELL is “a good literary surgeon,” as one of his accomplished clients noted. As an editor of fiction and non-fiction, he views manuscripts with comprehensive vision and an eye for detail. He will read your fiction with an eye to making it believable and your non-fiction with a knack for making it both convincing and engaging.
His books and short stories have been translated into many languages and are known throughout the world. His list of publications includes The Tao of Symbols (Morrow 1982), Energy and Eros (Morrow 1985), The Prentice Hall Global Employment Guide (Prentice Hall 1983), Mandalas: The Dynamics of Vedic Symbolism (Sterling 1980), Derrida for Beginners (Writers and Readers 1996), Postmodernism for Beginners (Writers and Readers 1998), Eastern Philosophy for Beginners (2000), Deconstruction for Beginners (2005), and Slow Love: A Polynesian Pillow Book (2008).
His short story “The Silence of the Hummingbird” was published in Spanish in Revista Katharsis, in Malaga, Spain, and his journalism has appeared in Spirituality & Health, Tahiti Beach Press, the Santa Barbara Independent, and Montecito Journal.
CAROLINE T. has been editing popular fiction for 20 years and has 200+ novels under her belt. Her ability to see the big picture, combined with an in-depth knowledge of today’s publishing market, makes her an invaluable partner in the editing and publishing process.
Editor for three New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling authors
A former in-house editor at Pocket Books—a division of Simon & Schuster, the premier New York City publisher of commercial and trade fiction—an outside editor for Harper Collins/Avon, and a reader for The Literary Guild and The Rhapsody Book Club, Caroline’s particular expertise is historical and contemporary romance, romantic comedy, and romantic suspense. Carla Neggers, Karen Robards and Andrea Kane—three New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling authors—had books edited by Caroline. She also specializes in suspense thrillers, crime fiction, amateur sleuths, sagas, inspirational romance, westerns, urban fantasy and African-American popular fiction. She holds workshops on the writer’s conference circuit and speaks at numerous venues to help advance the cause of popular fiction for women.
Known for her accessibility, Caroline is available to answer any questions a client may have; from a simple inquiry regarding point of view switching, to a larger issue regarding career path. She is a hands-on editor, likes to put her blue pen to work, and enjoys brainstorming with writers. She is a mentor, a guide and a source of vast knowledge on the subject of popular fiction. Caroline offers content and developmental editing with commentary; minor line-editing if necessary, submission help, and career consulting.