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.

Clients are particularly impressed by her ability to make their text sparkle while maintaining their voice. She is flexible, personable, and highly proficient. As one client noted,

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!

more

Award-winning writer and editor H. L. BELL is committed to helping other writers make their work the best it can possibly be. Intimately familiar with the thrills and insecurities of the writing process, she empathizes and works especially well with other writers. Clients have praised her as an editor with an engaging manner, a meticulous attention to detail, and a consummate skill with language.

She has edited a broad range of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles, including Bonnie Jo Campbell’s American Salvage, finalist for the 2009 National Book Award in fiction. Her own fiction and book reviews have appeared in Jane, Salon, The Women’s Review of Books, and the Chicago Reader.

Services

• Manuscript evaluation
• Proofreading, copyediting, developmental editing
• Ghostwriting, rewriting
• Fiction: action/adventure, children’s/young adult, crime, historical, horror, literary, mystery, romance, science fiction/fantasy
• Nonfiction: alternative health, biography, education, film and television, how-to, memoir, parenting, self-help, medical, psychology, true crime, women’s studies

  more

Bruce Bortz is a journalist, book editor, ghostwriter, and literary attorney. He also assists writers with contract negotiations and book marketing. His clients are unpublished and published authors, and agents. Besides offering manuscript critiques as a starting point, he edits for structure, content, and grammar. He can assist with marketing plans and book proposals. He knows how to get the attention of acquisition editors. He can create and put together a proposal package that includes materials such as a query letter, book outline, author biography, polished chapter samples, marketing plan, and any other ancillary materials that will help close the sale of your book.

more

Deanna Brady is a highly versatile freelance writer and editor with more than two decades of experience. Known as an "editor's editor," she ghostwrites, rewrites, develops, and copyedits a wide range of material, including self-help/how-to books, novels (both literary and genre fiction), creative nonfiction, biographies/memoirs, proposals, cover and query letters, articles, essays, scripts, business communications, and Web content. She has written and edited marketing and advertising copy for Fortune 500 companies and is adept at editing ESL and translated text, as well as scientific/technical material. In addition, she specializes in projects concerning spirituality, ecology, Native American Indian culture, psychology, allopathic and complementary medicine, and health, and she particularly enjoys working with& fantasy, science fiction, historical, romance, adventure, mystery, and young adult literature.

Deanna spent more than a decade as a magazine editor. She also taught at California State University for a dozen years, has written several children's textbooks, and is an award-winning author of short fiction and poetry. Her many happy clients greatly appreciate her expertise, gentle guidance, and ability to preserve their individual voices and help make their manuscripts shine.

more

Beth Bruno is 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. Beth's editing interests are eclectic and include a delicious mix of fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and children's works.

more

D.J. Bruno works closely with authors to develop, liven, and perfect their books and articles. She provides manuscript critiques that offer extensive feedback on every aspect of a narrative, as well as ghostwriting, developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and marketing (proposal, query, and synopsis development and agent contact). 

A fiction writer herself, she was an editorial assistant and reader at Ploughshares, had her fiction published in various literary magazines, taught literature and grammar, and edited a range of material from memoir to erotica, biography, short fiction, poetry, travel writing, personal essays, and literary and commercial fiction. She specializes in film and photography, food and wine, nutrition, travel, psychology, memoir, and literary fiction.

Note: DJ is booking for March 2010.

more

Faith Hickman Brynie specializes in science and health, especially for children and young adults. She has a Ph.D. in science curriculum and instruction, and she is an experienced editor of science activity books, trade books for middle school and high school, and textbooks K-12. She has worked for major publishers as writer, substantive editor, developmental editor, copyeditor, and fact checker. She excels at communicating complex ideas clearly and simply.

She loves fiction, and has written three novels, all published by Geneses under a pseudonym. She has won several contests and awards for her short fiction, which has been published in such magazines as Thema, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Midnight Zoo, Aberrations, Over My Dead Body!, Haunts, and others. She critiques mainstream, science fiction, horror, and mystery manuscripts, helping authors develop their characters, plot, dialogue, voice, and style. She also does developmental editing and copyediting of fiction manuscripts.

Her latest book--Brain Sense: The Science of the Senses and How We Process the World Around Us--was published in 2009.

more

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 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. 

NOTE: Michael is booking for September 2010.

more

Virginia Clark has been an editor and proofreader of fiction and nonfiction for many years, working on more than 200 titles. She specializes in literary and popular fiction, detective/crime fiction, biography, self-help, history, music, and the visual arts, especially film. She was a staff copyeditor for Simon & Schuster in New York starting in 1989 for five years and has continued to freelance for them ever since, as well as for other presses including Algonquin; Duke University; Farrar, Straus, & Giroux; and the University of California. Fiction she has copyedited includes Richard Condon, The Emperor of America; Quinn Dalton, High-Strung; David Freeman, A Hollywood Life and It's All True; Kem Nunn, The Dogs of Winter; Kate Walbert, The Gardens of Kyoto and Our Kind; and Meg Wolitzer, Surrender, Dorothy. Detective/crime authors include Jan Burke, George C. Chesbro, Nick Gaitano, Alison Glen, Philip Harper, David Osborn, Ian Rankin, and Jan Roberts. She has copyedited autobiographies including Miles Davis, Miles; Faye Dunaway, Looking for Gatsby; Charlton Heston, In the Arena; and Neil Simon, Rewrites: A Memoir; as well as biographies such as Joseph McBride, The Catastrophe of Success: Frank Capra and McBride's Steven Spielberg. She has also worked on large collections including The Companion to 20th-Century Music, Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide, and The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. In addition, she has been proofreader/copyeditor for October Magazine since 1989, as well as for various other magazines such as for Condé Nast publications.

more

Rosanne Cornbrooks Catalano specializes in children's and young adult books, fantasy novels, and Christian/inspirational manuscripts. Prompt and professional, Rosanne works well with any author's voice, providing clarity and punch while respecting the integrity of the work.

Rosanne's love of the written word began with her passion for books, but her knowledge of punctuation, grammar, diction and style comes from a lifetime of exceptional training. A poet herself, Rosanne understands the blood, sweat and tears that go into writing.

She gives each author's work the care it deserves, drawing on her diverse life experiences and knowledge in many fields like period clothing, genetics, all aspects of theater, Celtic legends, rustic camping, the martial arts, architecture and languages (Latin, French, Anglo-Saxon, Middle English, a little Welsh and Japanese).

Add that to the marketplace savvy she learned working in publishing houses, and you have an experienced editor who can polish a manuscript and get it past that crucial first reader!

• Copyediting, developmental editing
• Children's/young adult
• Science fiction and fantasy
• Christian, inspirational

NOTE: Rosanne is booking for August 2010.

more

Anne Creal specializes in fiction and, as the author of eight published novels, offers a unique editorial perspective.  Her books include contemporary and historical children’s, young adult, and adult literature. She has worked with both small independent publishers such as Roberts Rinehart and Brown Barn Books, and with large publishing houses such as Penguin Putnam and American Girl. She has seen one of her novels made into film 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 others writers and/or editors.  Her goal is to help you make your unique writing shine.

Specialties

• Developmental editing
• Manuscript critiques/evaluations
• Query letter writing/synopses
• Fiction:  children’s, young adult, and adult, all genres
• Memoir

"Anne has provided expert level editing assistance to me in the writing of my manuscript.  Her ideas and creativity have been invaluable to me."  Kandi Hofmeister, author of the memoir, Held.

"Anne's insight and original input helped improve my novel and matched my expectations beautifully."  Andrea Kolub, author of The Lady in the Cape.

Books

Water at the Blue Earth, young adult historical fiction (Roberts Rinehart, 1998)
A Ceiling of Stars, middle grade contemporary fiction (American Girl, 1999)
Nowhere, Now Here, middle grade contemporary fiction (American Girl, 2000)
The Magic of Ordinary Days, adult historical fiction (Viking Penguin, 2001)
Under a Stand Still Moon, young adult historical fiction (Brown Barn Books, 2005)
Call Me the Canyon, young adult historical fiction (Brown Barn Books, 2006)
Nicki, contemporary middle grade fiction (American Girl, 2007)
Thanks to Nicki, contemporary middle grade fiction (American Girl, 2008)

Other

The Magic of Ordinary Days, adapted for the screen and produced by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions as television movie for CBS, 2005
Currently contracted for story consultation and collaboration with screenplay writer on a sequel to The Magic of Ordinary Days for Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, soon to be produced.

Article

Writing Historical Fiction that Sells

more

Esther David-Roland is a writer and editor whose experience includes writing and editing in technical and non-technical subject areas. She has worked as a journalist, writer, and editor for more than 25 years and brings her many years of experience to each project. As a freelance copyeditor, Esther has worked with major publishers, businesses, and individuals, and has worked extensively with authors whose native language is not English.

* Book editing (nonfiction)
* Developmental editing (nonfiction)
* Manuscript copyediting and proofreading
* Technical, medical, and scientific copyediting
* Website copyediting and proofreading

more

The award-winning writing of Karen Davis prompted one of many loyal clients to call her his "secret weapon in attaining communications supremacy." She earned magna cum laude degrees in English and history and world-class journalism credentials from the London Times and Regional Newspapers. Since 1976 she has been an international correspondent and author of hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles; publishing house editor (several books won American Library Association Outstanding Reference Source awards); acclaimed advertising writer (First Place in the Pacific Northwest, direct mail campaign) and technical writer ($10,000 First Place in North America, engineering paper); director of publications and marketing; author of style manuals; university lecturer in writing; and published lyricist and poet. She brings clarity and conciseness to confusing language and organization to chaos.

more

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." Alice Day is an award-winning poet with four collections of poetry 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.

Alice Day's specialty is fiction editing. She has worked with numerous award-winning authors (authors who have won the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award, as well as first-time novelists) She does detailed manuscript evaluations, as well as developmental/substantive editing. She 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.

"I chose well. It was fun to see one's work through someone else's experienced eyes. I particularly appreciated your thoughts and reactions to the different characters - it gave me much needed insight into the relative worth of each player and where I need to put my efforts. Many thanks also for giving me the idea for the subplots that could help cement the story and really for all of your detailed, helpful comments. It was a thoughtful and kind analysis!" (on file with coordinator)

more

Joan Dunayer has been a professional editor for more than two decades. She has edited research papers, dissertations, journal articles, magazine articles, and books on a wide range of topics, including psychology, language, literature, education, politics, and medicine.

A graduate of Princeton University, Joan has master’s degrees in psychology, English education, and English literature. She has taught writing to high school, college, and university students. At the University of Pennsylvania, Joan taught classes on preparing psychology reports in APA format. In addition to being an expert in APA style, Joan is thoroughly familiar with Chicago and MLA styles.

Joan also has written professionally. Her articles and essays have appeared in magazines, journals, textbooks, and anthologies. Most of her writing has focused on literature, language, psychology, philosophy, and politics. For example, she has written the commentaries for new editions of twenty-one literary classics.

more

Les Foxman has been a public relations professor at Utah State University and the University of Utah. He received his Ph.D. in journalism and mass communication (MLA) from Ohio University.

He empathizes with those undertaking extensive writing projects, and he is willing to help writers meet the challenge at virtually any stage of the writing process — from selecting topics to framing good research questions to organizing content and to presenting results and conclusions in clear, detailed language. He is comfortable in a fairly wide realm of topics, which extend beyond public relations, including journalism history, popular culture, criticism, integrated marketing communication, public policy issue management, crisis communication, and media message planning and management for organizations.

Article: From basic proofreading and copy editing to ghostwriting: What services the author can expect and what those services cost.

more

Diane L. Foose, BS in Journalism, has 25+ years of experience as a full-time freelance copy editor and proofreader of books and journals in the fields of medicine and health, engineering, mathematics, law, the environment, and the social sciences. Some of the books she has edited are Guns, Violence, and Criminal Behavior: The Offender's Perspective; The Angel Tales: Refuge for a Parent's Healing Heart; Democratic Reform in Japan: Assessing the Impact; Arms Control and Cooperative Security; The Black Academic's Guide to Winning Tenure--Without Losing Your Soul; and Public Policy: Perspectives and Choices (4th edition). Diane's assignments require an in-depth knowledge of editorial practices, familiarity with specific editorial styles (Chicago, APA, AMA), an understanding of scientific and technical terms, and the ability to handle tables, figures, equations, and other materials.

more

Marlo Garner is an editor, children's author, and illustrator. She has been editing children's books and teaching writing for children since the late 1990s. She is on faculty at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Continuing Education and teaches ‘Writing for Children's Books.’ Her first book for children Let's Visit Space was recently released in 2007 by Macmillan McGraw-Hill, and her second Author at Work, Dr Seuss is forthcoming. Marlo’s middle grade chapter book Ginny Giles series, is due for release mid 2009 from Clean Slate Press. She is currently writing a YA novel, a middle grade fantasy, and innumerable picture book texts (which spring forth at the most inopportune times). Marlo is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI).

Marlo believes in not only editing the work of her clients, but in teaching them to become better writers, equipping them with knowledge they will need as they continue on their journey, while keeping the integrity and unique voice of each author’s work. Marlo is passionate about all sub-genres of children's books and finds it almost impossible to choose which she prefers editing, reading, or writing. She will happily tackle texts in rhyming verse and is a wizard with a rhyming dictionary and her mental metronome.

She provides:

• Copyediting & proofreading
• Developmental/substantive editing
• Cover letters, query letters (free with contracted service)
• Correct formatting & understanding the submission process
• Critiques, writing instruction & mentorship
• Children's books: picture books, poetry, magazine submissions, chapter books, young adult, children's non-fiction.
• Literary fiction, crime, fantasy
• Illustration, illustration critiques and advice for aspiring illustrators.

"Marlo ... is a far greater editor than any I have ever worked with. She did far more than simply read and comment upon my text, as others have done. Marlo worked with me extensively to develop my characters and plot into something of incredible beauty and fluidity. She dedicated her time to my novel, often working late into evening and in the early hours of morning to complete her task. Marlo took my book beyond the extraordinary. She has an instinct and passion for the fine and poignant; a talent for enriching even the most ordinary of text. She breathed new life into every word, every line, every striking sentence!" Michelle Izmaylov

more

Val Gerard, MA, PhD in Biology

Editor/Writer, Science and Medicine

Val Gerard retired in 1999 after 30 years as a scientist and professor.  With a strong record of publications and successful research funding, she now uses her skills to help others achieve similar successes.

Scope:  biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, botany, cell biology, chemistry, developmental biology, ecology, environmental policy, environmental science, evolutionary biology, genetics, geography, geology, marine science, mathematical modeling, medicine, molecular biology, oceanography, physiology, veterinary medicine, zoology, and related fields.

Academic Editing/Writing Experience:

• Science and medical editor and writer since 2001.
• Past and current clients from Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Patagonia, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, the U.K., the U.S., and Venezuela.
• High rate of client success with manuscripts submitted to scientific and medical journals, and with grant proposals to various funding agencies, including NIH and NSF (largest successful grant to date, $120 million).
• Assists clients in developing written materials for commercial websites, brochures, etc.
• Specializes in organization, interpretation, and clear presentation of complex information.
• Helps clients improve their own writing skills for future projects, including non-native English speakers.
• Provides rapid turnaround.  Helps you submit your grant proposal, manuscript,
• book, chapter, or report on time.
• More than fifty publications (see publication list, below) and one million dollars worth of successful grant proposals of her own.
• Past experience as associate editor and/or reviewer for over two dozen scientific journals, including Science, and government funding agencies.

DONE!!! The paperwork is signed and submitted, the after-defense party has been held, and I am feeling very good!!! As far as congratulations go - you deserve MUCH credit. Thank you once again, Val. That mock defense was incredibly helpful, as at least 2 questions were nearly word-for-word! Your assistance with the talk was also of great benefit, as [my advisor] said that it was one of the best defense presentations he had ever witnessed! I can put this project on the 'finally finished' pile. Your help in all this has been pivotal. I will never forget it. I have never—in my life—ever—received such targeted, useful professional advice, and productive feedback. It has been a true pleasure working with you, and learning a new way of writing and putting together a scientific story."

"I had completely given up on the Masters, I emailed my tutor again this week and he said he would chase it up. He has just emailed back saying it has not only passed but been awarded a distinction! I owe this to you over and over, I would have given up but you just kept pushing me on."  M.Sc. in Medical Education, UK, 2009 (contact information on request)

more

Anne Greenberg was an in-house editor of children's books for 16 years at Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, specializing in fiction for readers 5-8, 8-12, and young adult. As a freelancer, she focuses on developmental editing, editing, and copyediting of adult fiction and nonfiction, in addition to children's books (but not picture books). At Pocket/S&S she edited more than 550 books (including all-new Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys titles) and worked with seasoned and first-time authors.

more

Tim Grundmann is an author, playwright and TV scriptwriter and story editor with 25 years of experience. His books in the Doug Chronicles series are published by Disney Press. He was part of the creative team behind Pee-wee's Playhouse on CBS (for which he wrote the show "bible"), and developed the HBO comedy Norman's Corner with Seinfeld creator Larry David. As head writer and story editor for the Disney Channel's New Mickey Mouse Club and Nickelodeon's Doug, he guided scripts from concept to final draft. He's written episodes of Allegra's Window and Welcome, Freshmen for Nickelodeon, and was developmental writer for Mowgli and His Friends and WaysideSchool for the Disney Channel and ABC-TV. As house writer for Broadcast Arts in NYC, he wrote scripts, proposals, treatments and show bibles for TV shows starring Gilbert Gottfried, Madeline Kahn and others. Recently he wrote scripts for the PC game My Scene Goes Hollywood for Vivendi Universal Games.

more

Carol Hegberg is an internationally published, award-winning writer and content editor. Her novel is entitled Pen Pals. Her poetry, scripts, short stories, and articles have been published in many magazines and books. Carol knows the endurance, tenacity, and patience a writer must possess to become published. Beginning writers, published authors, agents with needy clients, and publishers who need developmental editing for their writers use her services. She helps rewrite speeches, short stories or collections, articles, essays, and manuscripts. She helps develop inspirational, Christian, and picture-book manuscripts, children and young-adult fiction and nonfiction. She's available for writing help with manuscript submissions, query letters, and book proposals.

• Developmental editing, rewriting, mentoring
• Juvenile & young adult fiction/nonfiction, Christian topics

"Carol breathed life into my top-selling children's story with her wonderful way with words." Nancy S. Mure, author of Irregular Joe

more

Bonnie Hill is a writer-friendly editor/mentor who has helped numerous authors break into print. She teaches workshops for Writer's Digest Online Workshops and speaks at writing conferences across the country. Her workshop members have won awards (such as the Hackney Literary Prize for fiction) and sold everything from novels to nonfiction books, essays and cowboy poetry to top publishers such as Woman's Day, Cosmopolitan, Writer's Digest, Story Line Press, Santa Monica Press, and Simon & Schuster.

more

Linda Hines ghostwrites, rewrites, and edits novels, business manuscripts, self-help books, short stories, essays, articles, biographies, literary fiction, proposals, and cover and query letters. She has edited over 100 fiction and non-fiction works and wrote and produced articles as managing editor of a subscription-based, B2B newsletter. She specializes in subjects such as humor, mystery, business, current events and politics, psychology, holistic healing, organic gardening, nature and the environment, weight loss, fitness, health, diet and nutrition, spirituality, alternative healing.

more

Kate Johnson is a developmental editor and rewriting specialist. She has edited nonfiction books, textbooks, encyclopedia and journal articles, technical manuals, conference proceedings, newsletters, and online publications in a wide range of topics for professional, academic, and lay audiences. She especially enjoys working with medical, biological, and other natural science materials. Kate earned her BA in psychobiology from Yale University and did post-graduate coursework in anatomy at CCRI. She has worked with students and professors--including many for whom English is a second language--to refine research articles, grant proposals, and dissertations. She is literate in scientific and medical terminology, familiar with various style requirements (such as Chicago, AMA, and GPO), and adaptable to authors' or publishers' preferences.

more

Jeff Karon is a writer, teacher, and consultant who has helped students and professionals for over twenty years. He has edited, revised, and proofread publications that include reports, theses, dissertations, textbooks, proposals, essays, stories, and articles. His Ph.D. is in English (MLA) with a specialization in Rhetoric and Composition, a choice that signals his devotion to clarity and power in language. Prior to his years as an English professor, he studied and taught philosophy, critical thinking, and logic, publishing in these fields as well as in literary studies. He has led writing and editing workshops for students, teachers, and artists. Currently, he is leading creativity workshops and developing ways to build honor in the classroom and workplace.

As a writer and teacher, he believes that we should strive for excellence by practicing effective and fair techniques at all times. He has combined a life-long interest in the martial arts with writing: if you choose to work with him, he will ensure that your writing is powerful, not merely competent.

Scope: Poetry, creative nonfiction, scholarly/educational, biographical essays, business and self-help topics.

more

Stavra Ketchmark has edited more than 200 fiction titles while working for major publishing houses, as well as numerous medical, technical, and scientific trade, academic, and professional titles. She specializes in a variety of fiction genres, including romance, historical, mystery, suspense, crime, horror, fantasy, science fiction, and young adult. Her nonfiction specialties include all medical disciplines, nursing, allied health, alternative health, political science/politics, history, journalism, religion, parenting, and cooking.

Stavra has also helped a broad range of corporate clients fine-tune their annual reports, advertisements, websites, and other marketing materials to achieve the image they are seeking.

Her edited manuscripts have been published by Wadsworth, Mosby, Signet, Roc, NAL Trade, Thompson Delmar Learning, and Onyx.

She is an expert in electronic editing using Microsoft Word, and is proficient in WordPerfect, PageMaker, and QuarkXpress. She has a working knowledge of HTML and SGML.

• Developmental editing, line editing, rewriting, copyediting, proofreading, critiques, submission materials (query letters, synopses, cover letters)
• Fiction: romance, historical, mystery, suspense, crime, horror, fantasy, science fiction, literary
• Nonfiction: Medical, nursing, alternative health, politics, history, journalism, religion/spiritual, parenting, business, cooking.

more

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 …

Services:

• Manuscript Diagnostic – A big-picture look at your novel and how to take your story from good to great.
• Developmental Editing – Specific guidance and comments on how you can fine-tune your story.
• Substantive Editing – Hands-on editing help in reorganizing and revising the structure and content of your story for better readability.
• Copyediting – Line-by-line editing and polishing of your story.
• Proofreading – Making sure the smallest detail of your story gets fixed.
• Book Proposal Development – Jointly creating a compelling, well-crafted proposal.

Genre Specialties:

• Christian fiction (all genres – for both adults and young adults)
• Action / Military
• Historical Fiction
• Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
• Contemporary / Mainstream

As an editor, John David has been privileged to work with some of the best publishers of fiction in the nation, including Whitaker House (where as senior editor he worked on James Byron Huggins' Nightbringer, a book that Library Journal named one of its annual top five Christian novels), David C. Cook, NavPress, Realms Fiction, and Marcher Lord Press.

"You have a true talent, John David, something God-given. All the learning in the world can't give it to you, and nothing can take it away. You comprehend on several levels far beneath the story itself, a rare thing in literature these days. You can have my back anytime."
– James Byron Huggins, Author of A Wolf Story, The Reckoning, Leviathan, Cain, Hunter, Rora, Nightbringer, The Scam, and Sorcerer

more

Jo-Ann Langtree writes and edits books, stories, and articles in the following fields: business, medical, insurance, health, holistic health, spirituality, religion, psychic phenomena, young-adult fiction, children's books, mystical experience, self-help, New Age, nutrition, diet, exercise, saints & masters, gurus, theosophy, Christianity, homeopathy, vitamins & minerals, herbs, and food supplements. She was a writer and editor for Aetna Life & Casualty. As editor of Life NEWS, she had sole responsibility for finding, developing, writing, editing, and proofing all articles. Topics included new products, sales campaigns, insurance-agent interviews, accolades, seminars, Company acquisitions and policies. Jo-Ann also edits personal and business sites.

• Proofreading
• Editing (Copyediting and Developmental)
• Spirituality, metaphysics, religion, theosophy, psychology, holistic health, food supplements, homeopathy, nutrition, psychic phenomena, lucid dreaming, mystical experience, self-help, saints, masters, and gurus

more

Floyd Largent specializes in history, natural history, anthropology and the sciences on the non-fiction front, and speculative fiction(science fiction, fantasy, horror, and allied fields) otherwise. He's published his own e-book on fiction marketing (100 Great Places to Sell Your Short Stories, Both On and Off the Web), and is intimately familiar with technical writing, having worked as a technical writer and editor for ten years. He's also been published in most of the popular American history magazines, including American History, America's Civil War, Old West, and True West. Mr. Largent can provide publishing assistance (especially with short stories and journal articles), content development, manuscript evaluation, and mentoring services, supplemented with advice concerning manuscript mechanics,query letters, book synopses, and proposals.

more

Tom Grant Lemons is a successful novelist, editorial consultant, publisher, ghostwriter, and managing editor. His historical fiction has won awards and appeared on bestseller lists, and his novels have been translated and published in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Poland. Tom is passionate about the written word, and he is eager to bring his passion and expertise to your writing project. Authors Tom has worked with include Oliver North, T.D. Jakes, Bob Hamer, Joe Moscheo, and Hamilton Gayden. The fiction and nonfiction books Tom has worked on both as developmental editor and ghostwriter have been published by major houses including Broadman & Holman, Warner Faith Publishing, Hachette/Center Street, and Greenleaf Book Group.

• Developmental and substantive editing, both fiction and nonfiction;
• Line/copyediting (including scholarly/academic projects)
• Ghostwriting
• Coaching
• Manuscript critique
• Book proposal development
• Christian, historical fiction, memoir/autobiography, scholarly publications/textbooks, music, nonfiction (general)

“Tom is ...one of the best writers I've ever encountered. His combination of creativity, craftsmanship, integrity, and intelligence puts him at a level I've rarely seen.”—Gary Terashita, Executive Editor, B&H Publishing Group

“Tom is an exceptional editor. An author himself, Tom is meticulous and creative in his work as he expertly brings a writer's best ideas forward. Not only are his editorial abilities outstanding, he is also warm, patient, caring, and thus a joy to work alongside. I recommend him wholeheartedly!”—Edwina Barvosa, Associate Professor, University of California at Santa Barbara

more

more

Lynda Lotman
Freelance Network Coordinator
Copy Editor & Proofreader
Historical Fiction
Ethnic, Christian, & Jewish topics

Lorna Lynch has over twenty-five years of editing, copyediting, and proofreading experience, and has worked on more than a hundred books to date. She also co-owned a monthly newspaper for seven years, where she wrote and edited hundreds of articles. She has a tremendous instinct for what "works" and what doesn't in both fiction and non-fiction, and has guided numerous authors to publishing success. Her primary goal is to see that writing with some potential becomes writing with great potential, and she works closely with authors to achieve that goal.

Her area of expertise is character-driven fiction; however, she has edited books of all stripes, including political commentary, how-to books, humor, mysteries, romance novels, children's books, young adult fiction, detective novels, and psychological thrillers.

more

Kelly Lynne is the proud “auntie” to over 20 published novels, novellas and short stories, which have sold to Kensington Publishing, Cerridwen Press, Awe-Struck Publishing, Samhain Publishing, and The Wild Rose Press. These books have gone on to earn high praise from reviewers and readers, as well as multiple awards and contest wins. As an editor for The Wild Rose Press, she has edited contemporary western and light paranormal romances, with heat ratings from sweet to spicy. Her fiction fortes include sci-fi, fantasy, romance, speculative fiction, young adult, and stories of psychic or supernatural phenomena.

Empathic about the “feel” of a story, Kelly provides suggestions so that authors may revise with their own style in mind, preserving the individual voice, while alerting authors to current trends in publishable styles. Developmental fiction editing requires an emotional investment in the work—an investment of time and effort that Kelly is happy to make.

Specialties:

Pulse-pounding high adventure, painstaking attention to detail, carefully drawn characters who step off the page and into your life. Stephen and Anne MacEachern are the authors of over eighty internationally published novels (with sales in the tens of millions of copies) and numerous short stories. Excitement, realism, and profoundly personal involvement with the story's outcome are the hallmarks of their fiction. Stephen has also written over a thousand articles, columns, features, and interviews for magazines and newspapers. At one time, he served as associate editor of two national magazines, one a trade publication. Stephen is currently writing columns each month in three national magazines and has a blog on Down Range TV. He has written, produced, and performed over five hundred radio programs, these at one time syndicated across the Southeast.

Anne cut her writing teeth working on the house organ of one of America's largest and most influential corporations. Thousands of Anne's color and black & white photos have appeared in a wide range of magazines in the United States and in Europe. Anne, assisted by Stephen, has produced and directed informational videos, magazine format videos, and a music video which was broadcast on the old Nashville Network. Stephen, alone or in conjunction with Anne, has appeared as a guest on various radio and television call-in and interview programs. They have frequently appeared on panel discussion groups, covering topics as diverse as writing, futurism, firearms and social philosophy, as well as their books.

They were commissioned by Dino DeLaurentiis to write two screenplays (un-produced). Their Horror Writers Award nominated short story, "Silent Pace," was twice optioned as a film property and - the third time the possible charm - they have just inked another option deal for this property.

Their books continue to be quite successful as downloadable E-Books and as audio books. The newest of these latter are fully dramatized and soundscaped audio.

Stephen has interviewed Arnold Schwarzenegger, Roy Rogers, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, John Bianchi, Steve Kanaly, Louis L'Amour, and vampire researcher Dr. Stephen Kaplan.

Stephen is considered a leading expert on concealed carry techniques, personal small arms, and personal edged weapons. He has lectured extensively before general audiences, police, civic and writing groups on these and various other topics.

Their books have been published in English (USA, Canada, Great Britain), French, Japanese, Spanish, German, Serbo-Croatian, Russian, and Portuguese, as general fiction, adventure, science fiction and fantasy. They have published one non-fiction book and are completing a second.

Stephen and Anne were high school sweethearts. Married in 1968, they are the parents of two grown children and have five grandchildren. Natives of Chicago, Illinois, they have resided in northeast Georgia since 1978.

Specialties: science fiction and fantasy, action/military/adventure, speculative fiction, thrillers/espionage, horror/vampires, detective/crime.

more

Suzanne Manness is a college professor specializing in technical and business writing. She has written and edited technical manuals, informational brochures, business proposals, and grants. She has also written computer user manuals and technical instrumentation directions. Additionally, she has edited many medical textbooks and medical articles on such subjects as heart transplants, pain management, and anesthesiology. She is an expert in all documentation systems such as Chicago Style, Harvard, APA, American Anthropological Association, and MLA. Her specialty is taking complex material and translating that material into a clear, concise, audience-friendly document.

more

Ron Marmarelli is a specialist in nonfiction, especially biography, history, and literary journalism, with expertise in scholarly writing and documentation (MLA, Chicago/Turabian, APA). He also is experienced in editing fiction manuscripts, especially historical fiction and literary fiction, and can assist in preparation of book proposals, synopses, and queries. He is a published biographer and historian, a former newspaper journalist, and a university professor who also has been a freelance editor since 2000. He has taught university courses in writing and editing for more than 20 years, has written more than 20 biographical articles for reference works, and has written articles, essays, and book reviews for anthologies and journals. He has bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism and has done doctoral work in American studies.

more

Jim McDonough has edited books on such different subjects as translations from Greek and Latin prose and poetry, Roman history, Catholic schools, Jews and Gentiles in the ancient world, Martin Luther, World War II, the Bible, foreign phrases used in English contexts, and biography. He has also edited a medical dictionary, a historical novel on the First Crusade, and encyclopedia articles. He prefers the Chicago/Turabian style. When he receives a manuscript with great idea but less than ideal presentation of these ideas, he takes great delight in helping the author give form, organization, and polish to the work so as to increase its chances of publication and of getting the author's ideas across effectively to the public.

more

Ernesto Mestre is an editor who can bring the working novelist's eye to your manuscript, helping you to get it in the best shape for submission to agents and editors.  He is a Professor of Fiction at the Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn College MFA programs, two of the top-tier programs in the country, and has been working independently as an editor for over 15 years. Ernesto has published two novels, The Lazarus Rumba and The Second Death of Única Aveyano, and one forthcoming next year, Sacrificio, and has been awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship for his fiction, as well as the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Fiction. He has also translated four novels from Spanish. As an editor and novelist, he is finely attuned to and very meticulous about bringing out strengths in a manuscript while remaining true to the writer's vision and voice.

He is available for a range of editing choices:

Proofreading
Copyediting
Developmental Editing
Craft Critique
Ghostwriting
Publication Package (one of the above, with synopsis and query letter)

Available to work on any fiction or nonfiction memoir manuscripts.

more

Kevin D. Miller specializes in editing fiction of all kinds—including screenplays—but he has a particular fondness for science fiction and fantasy. As an editor and instructor of creative writing, Kevin has helped dozens of new and experienced writers hone their craft and prepare their manuscripts for publication. Many of Kevin's clients, such as Spencer Tillman of CBS Sports, have gone on to lucrative publishing deals with Thomas Nelson, Lyon Hudson, Crown and William B. Eerdman's. Clients appreciate Kevin's extensive knowledge of story structure, his attention to detail and his knowledge of the marketplace.

A professional writer, screenwriter and editor for the past 12 years, Kevin has worked as both a staff writer and as a freelancer. During that time, he has amassed numerous writing and editing credits. These include over 40 published books, including: Scoring in the Red Zone (Ghostwriter, Thomas Nelson Publishers; World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Buying Your First Home" (with Larry Burkett, Northfield publishing)

Kevin is also the co-founder of Fresh Wind Press and Clarion: Journal of Spirituality and Justice. He has taught creative writing at various colleges and conferences across North America.

Services:

• Script coverage
• Manuscript critiques
• Developmental editing
• Structural editing
• Line editing / copyediting
• Writing assistance
• Ghost writing
• Market consulting (preparation of query letters, complete book proposals, writing samples)

Genres

• Science fiction
• Fantasy
• Crime/Thriller
• Detective/mystery
• Romance
• Horror
• Literary fiction
• Historical fiction
• Children's/Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction
• Christian fiction (extensive experience in the Christian marketplace)
• Self help/How to non-fiction

more

A proven APA and Chicago style expert, Holly Monty, M.A., has been a professional editor and writer for seven years, three of those in a full-time freelance capacity.

Since operating as a freelance editor and writer, Ms. Monty, a Microsoft Word and Latex expert, has had the opportunity to work with a broad range of some of the nation's leading publishers, including Springer, John Wiley, Sage, Begell House, Pearson–Prentice Hall, Erlbaum, Greenwood, and other top names in academic and nonfiction publishing. To date, she has edited over one thousand published journal articles, fifty nonfiction books, and as many dissertations and theses.

"Holly was FANTASTIC. She was SO thorough and submitted everything back to me earlier than I needed it! Even after she was done with the edit, I had some questions, and she was very speedy in her responses. I appreciate that she took time to answer my questions. She really went above and beyond! My paper not only needed to follow APA guidelines, but my university had guidelines as well. She did both perfectly."
—Nicole Foster, Trinity International University.

more

Karl Morgan is a book editor, script doctor, and writer. He has written for Epicurious, nerve.com, and Whole Foods, among many other companies and publications. In 1997, Boston University named me its Helen Deutsch Fellow—a free ride to the school's renowned Master's program in creative writing that at the time included study under Nobel laureates Saul Bellow and Elie Wiesel. My award-winning short fiction ("Valve" and "A Day") has been read at Borders Books and on KUT public radio. I have worked with screenwriters whose work is shown regularly on Cinemax, Showtime, and the Sci-Fi Channel and film industry professionals who are featured speakers at film festivals the world over. Books I've edited have been singled out by the Chicago Review Press and Independent Publishers Group and have been praised by the likes of Deepak Chopra and David Zucker (writer/director of Airplane! and Naked Gun).

more

DORRIE 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, Dorrie 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.

• Book doctor--fiction. Action-military, contemporary, mainstream, detective, crime, history, literary fiction, mystery, romance, women's fiction, science fiction, horror, fantasy, thrillers, espionage, Westerns
• Copy editing, developmental editing
• Manuscript evaluations, critiques, proofreader
• Manuscript layout (PDF)

"I am absolutely sure I wouldn't have gotten the publishing contract if it hadn't been for Dorrie's evaluation and editing. What an enormous find she was for me!" Shayne Easson, Wrath of Zar.

more

Mark Orrin has authored ten published books, scores of articles and poems, and taught writing on college and university levels. A seasoned publications editor, he has also mentored numerous successful American and international authors and poets. During a career in fund raising, Mark was considered one of America's leading copywriters, copy chiefs and creative/strategic consultants. He has been listed in Who's Who In the West, Who's Who In America, Who's Who In Entertainment and The Dictionary of International Biography. His services include mentoring, critiques and evaluations, substantive editing and content development; submission materials (synopses, book proposals, query letters); ghost writing; line editing; and help with "self-agenting" your own work. His fiction focuses are sci-fi, fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, Westerns, mysteries, adolescent and children's books, action-suspense; non-fiction includes memoirs, inspirational, public issues, self-help. Mentors projects into royalty-paying (non-"subsidy") print in the general book market.

Mark is the author of How to Leap the Slush Pile to Non-Subsidy Print, and gives a free copy to each of clients.

more

James N. Powell. As an editor of fiction and non-fiction, he views manuscripts with a broad, comprehensive vision and an eye for detail-for "the right word in the right place." Powell's editors will tell you that his books need no editing, as Powell is, himself, an editor. He will read your fiction with and eye to making it believable and your non-fiction with a knack for making it both convincing and engaging. James N. Powell is "a good literary surgeon," as one of his accomplished clients noted. 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), and Deconstruction for Beginners (2005). His short story "The Silence of the Hummingbird" was published in Spanish in Revista Katharsis. in Malaga, Spain and his journalism has appeared in the Santa Barbara Independent and Montecito Journal.

more

Arlene W. Robinson has developed and edited 200+ full-length manuscripts in a variety of genres since 1996. Her clients include women's fiction author Angie Daniels, sociology professor Joyce Tang and college-success guide author Josh Richardson. The true crime memoir The Twelfth Man Standing received Turner Broadcasting Network's Trumpet Award in 2002, and 'PRESSIONS: Memoirs of a Southern Cat by Edith M. Holmes, won the YOUnity Reviewers Guild Top Honor Award. 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. She also takes pride in helping non-native-English writers produce topnotch fiction and nonfiction works.

While not a professional humor writer, she could be. Arlene lives in the Deep South with her probation officer/journalist husband and two almost-adult sons, and looks forward to the day when her human offspring venture into the world as independently as she envisions her writings springing onto bookshelves.

more

Karen Schader specializes in fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults, including chapter books, picture books, and educational resources. She has worked as a substantive editor, copyeditor, and proofreader for authors, trade publishers, and educational publishers. With an academic background in child development, she brings an understanding of children to her work, and several of her titles have been recognized with iParenting Media Awards and National Health Information Awards. A client once described Karen's editing as going beyond "simple grammar and sentence structure to style, age-appropriateness, and clarity." She respects readability, grammar, punctuation, accuracy, deadlines—and the importance of preserving the author's voice.

more

A. J. Sobczak is an editor, proofreader, and writer (business writing, business methods, business history, communication, literary analysis, fiction in various genres) with more than 18 years of experience in the publishing industry. He has edited nonfiction work, both articles and books,  in a variety of fields, including various social sciences, technical research, and medical research. He has edited dozens of books and journals in the social sciences, research methods, mathematics, political science, psychology, business and management, history, and health and medicine, among other topics, and also has worked on several successful doctoral dissertations.

He is an expert in APA and Chicago styles and is on several publishers' lists of "go-to" editors for manuscripts with heavy math content. His fiction specialties include science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and young adult.

more

Sara Wilson has worked in the publishing industry both in-house and as a freelancer for nearly ten years as a project editor, copyeditor, proofreader, and more recently, developmental editor with specialties in entertainment, nursing, and college-level textbooks. She works with companies such as Random House, Inc., Pearson Education/Prentice Hall Health, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, Augsburg Fortress, and Chelsea House Publishers. Sara also edits and proofreads for magazines, nonprofits, and businesses.

• Copyeditor, developmental editor, project manager
• Proofreader, writer
• College-level textbooks: history, communication, criminology, world politics, psychology, philosophy, computer science/programming, nursing, medical terminology, massage therapy 
• Non-fiction: human rights, self-help, education, psychology, memoir, world history, world politics, religion, feminism and women's studies, animals, education, children's biographical 
• Entertainment: video-game strategy guides (in multiple genres such as historical, military, fantasy, sci-fi, thriller/suspense, action), theater, behind-the-scenes, pop-culture 
• Magazine articles: women's issues, personalities, community development, politics, health, mainstream and alternative medicine, nutrition, exercise, spirituality, pop-culture, arts, food, design, home and garden, entertainment, education of children and children with special needs, and more

more

*Note: The editors in this network will turn down your manuscript if they do not see a way to improve the material. In this case, however, they might offer mentoring as you learn the craft. They will also decline to edit your manuscript if they determine that your work is in such good shape that paying a freelance editor would be a waste of your money. Although they believe that every manuscript should be read and critiqued by someone other than the author, it may not be necessary to pay a professional to find the few flaws and kinks in an excellent manuscript.