Overview
Hi, author! I'm excited to meet you.
I'll let a few of my clients tell you why you might be excited to meet me:
“Amanda has been my go-to freelance editor for years. She is thorough and thoughtful, and I trust her work implicitly. In fact, she is so good that readers have left comments on how well-edited my book is. Seriously. More importantly, she is a lovely person and a dream to work with. I recommend her highly!!”
— Natalie Charles, Daphne du Maurier Award finalist, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award winner
“I’m so glad I found you. Your insights and guidance have definitely made me produce stronger work.”
— Alison Ragsdale, two-time Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) medalist
“I could not ask for a more understanding, funny, compassionate, and hard-working editor. For real. You keep me sane and even-keeled when I want to chuck it all in, you talk me down off the ledge when I think I’m utter rubbish, and your enthusiasm for my work makes me want to be a better writer. Please don’t ever leave me.”
— Shawnee Small, two-time USA Today bestselling author
While I love these compliments, nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing an author’s manuscript start to shine as we work together to shape it into the best book possible. I consider myself a partner to my clients. I scrutinize every word, sentence, and paragraph to make sure it's as strong as it can be—while remaining true to the author’s voice and vision.
My editing career started in 1992 at a small literary press (now part of HarperCollins). I later worked at W. W. Norton, and I edited for Prentice-Hall for years. For over 15 years, I was a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), and I twice gave workshops (one on editing software and one on writing about sex) at RWA national conferences.
My favorite genres are romance, thriller, paranormal, erotica, women’s fiction, and literary fiction, but I love trying new genres and editing cross-genre projects. I have edited a considerable number of YA novels and a few middle-grade books.
Please get in touch and tell me about your book!
Services
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- Copyediting certificate, University of California San Diego
Work experience
Self-employed
Please see my profile above.
In addition to providing copyediting and developmental editing, I also work with my clients to brainstorm new projects and to plan their next career moves.
Fun fact: I have an extensive background in pets, dog training, and animal welfare. I have been a board member of the Petfinder Foundation for over a decade.
Lynn University
Ensured that this university's materials were as flawless and well-written as one would expect from an institution of higher education.
SilkWords
Evaluated manuscripts for publication on this romance/erotica fiction website. Copyedited and/or proofread short stories (including ones with multiple possible story lines (similar to the Choose Your Own Adventure series), ensuring the story flowed no matter which options the reader chose as they navigated through the stories.
Also fulfilled marketing responsibilities, including writing email newsletter copy and evaluating promotional graphics (including ebook covers).
W. W. Norton & Company
Reviewed manuscript submissions, proofread manuscripts, oversaw books through the production process, wrote cover copy and catalog copy, and discussed editorial changes with authors.
Self-employed
Created compelling, entertaining copy for book publishers, regional newspapers, corporations, a national nonprofit magazine, and a marketing agency. Clients included AT and T (this section apparently doesn't like ampersands!), Prentice-Hall, the Courier-News and the Home News Tribune (central NJ), and the ASPCA.
The Ecco Press (now an imprint of HarperCollins)
Reviewed manuscript submissions, made editorial recommendations, wrote cover copy and catalog copy, and proofread manuscripts.
When I worked there, the Ecco Press also published the literary magazine Antaeus, and I performed the above duties for the magazine as well. A story I chose for the magazine won an O. Henry Award after publication.
Portfolio
Amanda has 9 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Trinity E.
Oct, 2023
Art M.
Sep, 2023
Sue F.
Aug, 2023
Bartosz M.
May, 2023
Donna H.
Apr, 2023
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