Ashley Casteel

Ashley Casteel – Editor

Editor of all things smart, inspiring, crafty, and culinary that enrich the soul. Helping authors put their best books forward since 2008.

Overview

EDITING PHILOSOPHY

A good copyeditor or proofreader's impact on a manuscript is imperceptible but profound, invisible but indelible, and that's the balance I strive to provide my clients.


SEVICES OFFERED

I polish grammar and spelling, eliminate redundancy, check facts, verify attributed quotations, finesse wording, make recommendations regarding adding/removing/reorganizing content, catch inconsistencies, note formatting errors, verify indexes and table of contents pages, format footnotes and bibliographies, curate style guides, and help authors make their manuscripts shine. Using preferred industry resources like The Chicago Manual of Style, I work closely with authors and publishers to remedy anything that might otherwise prevent a distraction-free, immersive experience for readers.


GOING ABOVE & BEYOND

In addition to the nitty-gritty of grammar, logic, clarity, and formatting, one of my top priorities as an editor is building strong author/editor relationships through thoughtful, discerning queries and correspondence. Working toward publication can be an exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes emotional journey, but I strive to make authors feel uplifted and encouraged throughout the editing process.


QUALITY EDITS BEGIN WITH QUALITY QUOTES

I offer competitive flat rates based on word counts, free sample edits, precise delivery timelines, and every collaboration includes a detailed project style guide to ensure a smooth review process.


EDITORIAL EXPERTISE

My qualifications include an English degree from Hiram College, where I graduated with honors in creative writing in 2008, and 3+ years of in-house editorial production experience. I've spent the last 10+ years freelance editing hundreds of titles for a variety of publishers, including Adam's Media (Simon & Schuster), BenBella Books, Quarto, Callisto Media, and Page Street Publishing. My genre specialties include historical and contemporary romance, YA/children's nonfiction, DIY/crafting, self-help, health and wellness, cookbooks, new age/religion/spirituality, and inspirational nonfiction.


Thank you for considering my services, and I look forward to working with you on your manuscript!

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits DIY & Crafts Health & Wellbeing Religion & Spirituality Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Romance
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Adams Media (Simon & Schuster) | BenBella Books | Page Street Publishing | Callisto Media

Jul, 2013 — Present

As a freelance editor, I contract with publishing companies and independent clients to provide editorial services remotely, usually by editing electronic assignments using Track Changes in MS Word or with PDF editing tools. (Copyediting is always handled in MS Word or Google Docs, and proofreading is typically performed after a manuscript is typeset and formatted as a PDF.) Sometimes projects take just a few days or up to a few weeks to complete, depending on their length and complexity. On average, my editing schedule can accommodate 50 to 60 books each year.

Barbour Publishing

Jun, 2008 — Feb, 2012 (over 3 years)

In traditional publishing, an assistant managing editor helps guide books through the production process after the acquisitions editor has accepted a book proposal and approved a finished draft from the author (and after the managing editor has created a publication schedule for the title). Once this timeline was established at Barbour, it was my job to ensure each manuscript was thoroughly edited by a series of freelancers, properly typeset, and previewed by the author and acquisitions editor before its print-ready deadline. I also handled permissions requests for special projects and did some in-house ghostwriting, copyediting, and proofreading as needed. ln total, I helped shepherd over 500 romance and inspirational nonfiction titles to print, gaining a great deal of valuable editing experience and industry insight along the way.

Portfolio

Risking all their hopes and dreams on promises of fertile land in the Northwest, thousands set off on the Oregon Trail between 1843 and the 1890s. Despite the majestic landscape and daily opportunities for fireside chats, the trail was hardly the place these m... read more
Busy hands equal a happy brain! Learn how fidgeting can help increase productivity and decrease stress, with 101 ways to tap, jiggle, doodle, and click your way to better concentration and creativity.Fidget spinners are the latest popular trend, but pen clicki... read more
Anything he can do, I can do better. At least that was what Cassie Bucknell thought before she pinned on Ben Wilder’s badge and took to patrolling the streets of Cactus Creek, Texas. Cassie has been in love with Ben since primer school, but Ben treats her like... read more
Fight back against busyness and celebrate the pleasure of doing nothing in this new guide that helps relieve stress and increase happiness in your life.In The Joy of Doing Nothing you’ll discover how to step away from everything you think you have to do and le... read more
Sarah's Surrender

Vickie McDonough

When Sarah Worley rejects Luke McNeil’s proposal to pursue property in the Oklahoma Territory land lottery in 1901, the ranch hand pulls up stakes and goes after her. But he’s the last person she wants to see. The land lottery gives Sarah the chance to realize... read more
Devoted

Marjorie Jackson

Life is good with a God who is great! What’s a girl to do in a changing world full of darkness, distractions, pressure, lies, and uncertainty? Is it really possible for a twenty-first-century young woman to live a life in direct contrast to culture’s ever-chan... read more
A Future Spring

Catherine DePasquale

High school teacher Ginny Dalton is hiding from life. When a violent incident breaks out at her school, she is suddenly face-to-face with police detective Scott James. Scott brings with him his own demons but perhaps a chance for a new beginning for them both.... read more
Undercover Bride

Margaret Brownley

Pinkerton detective Maggie Cartwright is tasked with going undercover as a mail-order bride. Her “fiancé” is widower Garrett Thomas, aka the suspected Whistle-Stop Bandit. No sooner does Maggie arrive in Arizona Territory when she’s confronted with an early we... read more
Brightest and Best

Olivia Newport

The collapse of a schoolhouse puts pressure on Amish families and their long-held educational values. Ella Hilty anticipates marrying Gideon Wittner and becoming a mother to his children. In a whirling clash of values, Ella seeks the solid ground that seems to... read more
Vocation

Catherine DePasquale

For Vera Konig, a Christian German nurse, the decision is clear: She must risk her life and that of Andrea, an orphaned Russian girl she is hiding at Ravensbrück Concentration Camp by trusting the enemy, a Nazi prison guard who may save Andrea or parade them b... read more
The Hawaiian Quilt

Wanda E. Brunstetter

Join Mandy Frey as she and three friends leave their Amish community in Indiana for the trip of a lifetime to Hawaii. But when Mandy and one of her friends miss the cruise ship after a port of call on Kauai, how will they adjust and get back home? Find out in ... read more
Humility

Pat Williams

You hold the secret in your hands. We live in a narcissistic age, when our leaders and celebrities seem very impressed with themselves—and they think we should be impressed with them, too. Many believe that the key to success is a supersized ego. “Wrong,” says... read more
The Gift

Wanda E. Brunstetter

Follow the heart-wrenching story of Adam Beachy, whose mother walked out on him and his family—and away from the Amish faith. Now he balks at the idea of ever marrying and having a family of his own. But when tragedy strikes, Adam is suddenly a father figure t... read more
The Engagement Plot

Krista Phillips

Can Hanna and Will Find True Love Amid the Bright Lights of Reality TV? Perfect for the fans of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette! Six months ago, William stole Hanna’s heart and shattered it in front of millions of people on a reality TV dating show. And now ... read more
Ever regret something you’ve posted?Just how smart are you when it comes to streaming, messaging, gaming, commenting. . .? The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices will help you navigate the digital world with 21 refreshingly honest and humorous tips ... read more
Journey now to Fort Bliss in West Texas of 1874, where...A Battle Is About to be Waged Between Two Hearts. Fashion artist Priscilla Hutchens has a grudge against the army that has ruined her family and taken the people she holds most dear. When her twin niece ... read more

Ashley has 34 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Wesley B.

Wesley B.

Sep, 2024

This is my second project that Ashley has assisted with editing. Her work was excellent and finished in a timely manner. I will be asking her to assist with future work.
Mark S.

Mark S.

Sep, 2024

Ashely can edit (and vastly improve) anything written in English! In the past two years, she has edited two intrigue novels, two history books, and a religious commentary for us. In her editing of these diverse books, she could not have done better work or been easier to interact with. She is the rare editor who not only attends to the smallest of details but whose insights and commentary also ...
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Mark S.

Mark S.

Jun, 2024

This is my second collaboration with Ashley Casteel. She is a joy to work with. My manuscript is infinitely improved with her careful eye for detail and her many helpful suggestions for improving the flow of the action and the quality of the dialog. I would give six stars if that were an option!
Marc B.

Marc B.

Apr, 2024

Ashley has now worked on three books for us. Her work is always above expectations and excellent. She is highly recommended.
Marc B.

Marc B.

Nov, 2023

Ashley once again exceeded all expectations. We are blessed to have her working on our books and and cannot say enough about her. She is passionate about her work and there is an evident anointing that makes it stand out even more. I recommend her and know you will be just as satisfied as we are.

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