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.
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
Manuscript evaluations, critiques, organizational and developmental editing, line editing, writing assistance, ghostwriting
CARLY CANTOR is a publishing industry veteran who has worked in-house at a New York publisher as an acquisitions editor and is a two-time published author (history books). Most recently, she has worked as an independent consultant and project editor for Random House and Prentice Hall. She also represents authors as an agent with a well-established NYC agency. Her extensive experience includes critiquing, organizational and development editing, and line editing of fiction and nonfiction projects. She is a meticulous hands-on editor who “becomes one” with every project, paying close attention to both the big picture and the small details.
She has often worked with academics, psychologists, and medical doctors on high-level material in the social or life sciences and has helped them make their writing more accessible to a trade audience. One thrilled client, a doctor, said of her, “She is a consummate wordsmith, with the facility of not only understanding and integrating scientific and technical material but also illuminating arcane and otherwise opaque descriptions. She expertly shapes the structure of a presentation for better narrative flow, simplifying complex material to make it reader-friendly.”
Carly also edits fiction, with an understanding of the importance of subtlety and nuance. She approaches fiction with an appreciation for how the brain works and for the idea that a reader likes to pick up clues and figure some things out for himself rather than be told everything directly about how characters are thinking and feeling. One novelist client said, “I have been guided by a number of different editors throughout my career. Without any hesitation, I can say that [she] is the best editor I have ever worked with.”
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.
KATHRYN CLAPPER is a writer’s editor. She is passionate about partnering with both nonfiction and fiction authors to bring their ideas and stories alive. With 10 years of experience editing more than 300 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. 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, biography, general interest nonfiction, scholarly works, children’s nonfiction, and instructional content in the humanities and social sciences.
Kathryn offers the following editing services:
- Copyediting and proofreading
- Developmental editing
- Project management
- Nonfiction: literary, scholarly, children’s, textbooks, other instructional content, Web content
- Fiction: YA, mass market, literary, historical
- Manuscript critiques and writing assistance
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 copyediting.
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 copyeditor.
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.
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
Donovan is a writing coach, mentor, collaborator and ghostwriter. She has published dozens of non-fiction articles on design and art, and specialized in celebrity interviews with experts in their field. She is also a Publishing and Social Media strategist.
Developmental editing, manuscript critiques/evaluations, fiction query letter writing, fiction synopsis writing
ANA HOWARD is the author of eight well-reviewed and award-winning novels 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 reader and editor of literary 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
After twenty-five years as a copy editor for major publishers such as Viking Penguin, Harper Collins, and Abbeville Press, MIRANDA O. knows that the best copy editors approach every job with consistency, discipline, and humility; ego has no place in this job.
Four books Miranda edited reached the top 10 in the 2013 New York Times best seller list,
and three more were in the top 15.
She has edited the work of many first-time and independently published authors as well as of both international best sellers and critically acclaimed writers—among them Barbara Kingsolver, Isabel Allende, Daniel Silva, James Patterson coauthors Peter de Jonge and Neil McMahon, Mitch Albom, Garth Stein, Silver Linings Playbook author Matthew Quick, David Wroblewski, Annie Dillard, andDavid Vann. Miranda has substantial experience with nonfiction, art publications, memoirs, literary fiction, and every kind of genre fiction, with over 1,300 titles edited or proofread over her career. She especially enjoys working with mystery and detective fiction, and is adept at ferreting out plot and chronological glitches.
In her free time, Miranda is a passionate gardener and observer of the seasons on her Virginia farm, reads P. G. Wodehouse, Jane Austen, and Golden Age detective fiction, and rides and trains young dressage horses.
- “Miranda is the best copy editor I’ve ever worked with. I have about twenty-five book publishers and have written for more than a dozen magazines, and my experience has been that copy editors usually introduce errors, don’t understand grammar or style as well as I do, make challenges based on their own ideas, beliefs, and feelings, and generally just cause a lot of extra work and frustration for me. But Miranda has none of these flaws. She’s a dream to work with because she finds real problems, issues that need to be dealt with, and otherwise has a light touch, not introducing any new problems. She manages to go over a book diligently but also respectfully. I feel very lucky to have had her eye on three of my novels now, and in fact, the last one, Goat Mountain, was going to be copyedited by the UK publisher (Heinemann/Random House) instead of the US one (HarperCollins), but I asked to go through the process with HarperCollins because I wanted Miranda’s careful look. I didn’t feel comfortable going to press without her, and I hope she’ll continue with all my future books. I certainly give her my highest recommendation. I don’t think you can find anyone better.” —David Vann, critically acclaimed author of Legend of a Suicide, Caribou Island, Dirt, and Goat Mountain, with books on seventy Best Books of the Year lists in a dozen countries
- “Miranda’s copy editing job on my debut novel Little Known Facts for Bloomsbury USA and Bloomsbury Circus UK was so thorough and meticulous that I knew the book was in good hands from the moment I started reading through her edits. Eventually, Little Known Facts ended up on the cover of the February 24, 2013, edition of the New York Times Book Review, due in part, I’m sure, to Miranda’s expert editing.” —Christine Sneed, novelist and short story writer
THEODORA O’BRIEN focuses on mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, adventure, and horror titles. She has considerable experience with trade non-fiction. As editorial eirector 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.
ANGELLE PINGTON has been a professional children’s book editor since 2001. She was an in-house acquisitions/development editor for Penguin Young Readers Group (Puffin/Speak) before becoming a full-time freelance editor of children, juvenile, and young adult fiction. She has edited award-winning young adult novels and series, middle grade novels and series, middle grade nonfiction, illustrated chapter books, and illustrated picture books.
Angelle has a positive, professional demeanor; a straightforward, kind approach to editorial feedback; and a meticulous eye for detail and accuracy. She truly enjoys helping authors shape their work, encouraging them to learn more about their characters, to explore something unexpected with their plotline, and to strive to inspire emotion (of any type!) in even the youngest of readers.
She offers developmental/substantive editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, and manuscript/query letter critique.
Specialties include: young adult fiction, middle grade (ages 8-12) fiction and nonfiction, leveled/early reader (ages 5-8) fiction and nonfiction, picture books, lift-the-flaps, series fiction
ADINA PORTMAN is a published author, columnist, and book editor of numerous award-winning fiction and nonfiction titles. Her editorial role is to help you reach your goals as a writer by bringing your work closer to your ultimate vision. In addition to providing an overall manuscript review, she can offer a thorough developmental edit and critique that gets into the nitty-gritty of how to improve your work. She checks for tone, continuity, word choice, correct sentence structure, and any “author ticks” that emerge. On a larger scale, she can ensure that the narrative is smooth and progresses naturally, pointing out where the story needs clarification or the plot is inconsistent. She will focus on the presentation, structure, and organization of your work as a whole, and will make sure that the content is as coherent and effective as possible.
“Working with Adina was like working with a side of my own brain that I couldn’t otherwise access—her edits identified problems I wasn’t able to see on my own, yet they struck me as intuitive and aligned with the overall goals of my book. Crucially, Esther knows how to tread those sensitive waters of being critical without being disheartening, and being supportive without blowing smoke.” —Robert Martin
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.
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)
DAVID ROSE has edited more than seventy published books, both fiction and nonfiction. Dave appreciates the interdependence of clear writing with clear thinking. He enjoys helping writers clarify their language and their thoughts, analyzing arguments, plot lines, and pointing out issues or inconsistencies that detract from a good story. Dave likes how the process of writing, rewriting, and editing leads to that aha moment of—yes, that is what I want to say, and I’ve said it well. Dave respects a writer’s individual style, keeping voice and tone intact while ensuring for consistency, correct grammar, and usage.
Dave earned a BFA in Film from New York University and an MA from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He is a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and the American Copy Editors Society.
Dave got his start as a business reporter and went on to write for major corporations. He’s experienced in business and investment writing, book editing, communication planning, and public policy research. In addition to his editing, Dave writes for a wealth management advisor, developing web content and keeping clients abreast of market developments through letters and research reports.
MARIE VALENTINE‘s more than thirteen years of 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 mystery imprint Midnight Ink Books, of renowned publisher Llewellyn Worldwide, and has helped numerous authors realize their self-publishing goals. Marie will use her knowledge in literature to catch style issues, inconsistencies in setting or character, and readability concerns with minimal alteration. She is open to experiments and will adapt easily and quickly to your perceived vision. A flexible editor and proofreader with a light touch, Marie will help your prose shine while keeping your personal style intact. Her areas of expertise include novels and short stories of commercial fiction, romance, women’s fiction, science fiction, young adult fiction, adventure, mystery, and experimental writings.
“I love having Marie as an editor. She truly engages with the work. She finds the inner heart of the piece and works her way out from there. I appreciate that she fields my questions regarding edits openly and promptly. She is more than I could hope for. If it were ethical, I would have her edit this recommendation.” – Mike Bahl, fiction writer
“I really enjoyed working with Marie. She was professional and clear and kept her deadlines. Her edits and comments were on point and did not alter my voice. I look forward to working with her on future projects.” – S. Stephens
Editing Services:
- Content organization
- Manuscript evaluations and overall critique
- Developmental editing
- Structural and substantive editing
- Proofreading
- Formatting and style editing (Chicago Manual of Style or project-specific)
- Copy and line editing
ALI WILLIAMS is a well-published author and editor, with 10 years of experience in literary and genre fiction, and a strong literary background. Her work has been seen in The New York Times, the Christian Science Monitor, and on National Public Radio. She is on the editorial board of noted literary magazine Brevity.
A successful veteran of the query process, Ali knows how to help you present your book in its very best form. She edits and critiques literary fiction and a broad range of genres, including romance, erotica, mystery, horror and young adult fiction, memoir and travel essays.
Editorial Services:
Manuscript Evaluation, Critique, with Editorial Letter: Receive feedback on the overall concept and execution of your manuscript, with questions and suggestions for further work.
Developmental Editing and Writing Assistance: Includes story-shaping and structural guidance.
Line-editing: Evaluaton and suggestions for improvement.
Copy-editing and Proofreading : Grammar and typo fixes.
Mentorship: Includes guidance for a specific publication or your writing career.
Query Coaching: Includes agent research.
Dramaturgy for Playwrights.