Anna Barnes

Anna Barnes – Editor

LGBTQIA-friendly copyeditor, proofreader, and word gardener. With 12 years’ experience, I’ll help your words find their best light!

Overview

As you look for an editor, you want someone who’ll give your book the same care and attentiveness that a gardener gives their treasured plants. From harvesting the first seeds of an idea to digging out a plot and bringing your story to life, you’ve put in all the hard work so far. Now you can trust me to aid you in the next steps.


As a copyeditor, I’ll tend your draft as it nears harvest, deadheading any lingering errors. And as a proofreader, I’ll root out those pesky typographical weeds so that your words can bask in the sunlight.


I’ve worked in the editorial field for 12 years, and my organizational skills and eye for detail set me apart. My expertise is in the Chicago Manual of Style, and I have experience with a variety of other styles in the industry. I also quickly familiarize myself with publishers’ house styles. Most importantly, I get to know your own preferences, seamlessly merging any style requirements with your own voice.


As your editor, I will embrace your unique vision for your work and become your number one ally in presenting it to the world. Together, we’ll clarify your wording, remove ambiguities, correct continuity and grammar issues, and gather it all in a stunning word bouquet that you can present to your waiting readers.


As a queer person, I’m passionate about stories that break the mold. And as an avid fan of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, I love all things fantasy and adventure. My special interests in reading, gaming, and editing are romantasies and psychological thrillers.


And in my spare time—I’m sure you can guess—I garden!

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Romance Fantasy LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Romantic Fantasy Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2023 — Present
I work with self-published authors and traditional publishing imprints as a copyeditor and proofreader of manuscripts and as a writer of book promotional text, including book blurbs and taglines.

Elite Editing

Nov, 2020 — May, 2023 (over 2 years)
As a senior team member, I helped train other manuscript editors, technical editors, and technical writers to help them create their best work, maintain quality, and meet our clients’ goals.

Self-employed

Jun, 2012 — Oct, 2020 (over 8 years)
I worked with self-published authors, nonprofit organizations, and small publishing companies to edit memoirs, poetry collections, essays, academic works, and technical case studies.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Daniel, 2018 (Summer Camp Stories (and stuff like that) Book 2)

Sutovál, Tristian

The Infinitus Continuum LLC

Proofreading
Hello, Juliet

M. Bailey, Samantha

Thomas & Mercer

Copy Editing
The Blanks (The Shivers collection)

Hendrix, Grady

Amazon Original Stories

Copy Editing
Undercover (Into Shadow collection)

Muir, Tamsyn

Amazon Original Stories

Proofreading
Lovers at the Museum: A Short Story

Allende, Isabel

Amazon Original Stories

Proofreading
Closer Than You Know (Vera Boyett)

Webb, Debra

Thomas & Mercer

Copy Editing
A Friend in the Dark

M. Bailey, Samantha

Thomas & Mercer

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Unlikely Story

Rosen, Ali

Montlake

Copy Editing
The Warbler: A Novel

Durst, Sarah Beth

Lake Union Publishing

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Kiss Lottery: A Novella

Madden-Mills, Ilsa

Montlake

Proofreading
Their Shadows Deep: A Novel

Golden, Peter

Lake Union Publishing

Proofreading
Beautiful Broken Love

Williams, Shanora

Montlake

Copy Editing
Proofreading
My Darling Jane (The Darlings)

Madden-Mills, Ilsa

Montlake

Proofreading
The Paris Escape: A Novel

Tucker, James

Lake Union Publishing

Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Echoes of Us: A Novel

Jordan-Lake, Joy

Lake Union Publishing

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Nosy Neighbor (Busybodies collection)

Prose, Nita

Amazon Original Stories

Copy Editing
The Pelican Tide: A Novel

Wishnow, Sharon J.

Lake Union Publishing

Copy Editing
Alternate Endings

Rosen, Ali

Montlake

Proofreading
Fall (Detective Harriet Foster Book 2)

Clark, Tracy

Thomas & Mercer

Proofreading
Proofreading
Serpent Ascending

Kinkade, Jenna

InkVane Portal

Proofreading
Some Doubt About It: A Novel

McNabb, Marion

Lake Union Publishing

Proofreading
The Waves Take You Home: A Novel

Barrios Vélez, María Alejandra

Lake Union Publishing

Proofreading
Veridian Sterling Fakes It: A Novel

Hummer, Jennifer Gooch

Lake Union Publishing

Proofreading

Anna has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Connor M.

Connor M.

May, 2025

Anna did an amazing job with this edit. Although hired for proofreading, Anna also pointed out some items at the copy level as well. Having an editor who is willing to offer these kinds of suggestions, above and beyond the scope of the contract, is pivotal to getting the best finished product pos...
Read more

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