Overview
My calling card in the editorial game is that I straddle both sides. I'm a writer myself and have been on the receiving end of critiques. In my younger days as a writer, I was very sensitive to criticism and felt my every line was precious. For this reason, I take care with my communication. At the same time, I address the work on its terms. I've had clients become daunted by the depth of my assessment, but ultimately ask for more. I always express an understanding of how the novel operates and who the characters are, and frame revision suggestions in this context.
“Ben has remained at the helm with me, coaching me. For nearly two years, Ben has guided me toward a deeper understanding of the symbiotic balance between knowledge, skill, and application, and is teaching me about the magic that is borne of thoughtful orchestration and fearless execution.” -- Stacy R., 2018, novelist
When it comes to edits, I don't deliver generalizations, and I can separate a pet peeves from a real editorial need. Some clients say my comments can be very funny. But what distinguishes me most is the tenor of my feedback. I write a lot in response, tracking my emotional and intellectual response to the work as I read. I believe there shouldn't be a single suggested change unexplained.
"Ben always gave great detailed feedback and I could tell that he sincerely cared about our progress as writers. He met each student where they were at, and I never felt judged. In terms of teaching style. Ben is great at giving explicit instructions and setting clear expectations, while maintaining a friendly comfortable tone."
“Ben has remained at the helm with me, coaching me. For nearly two years, Ben has guided me toward a deeper understanding of the symbiotic balance between knowledge, skill, and application, and is teaching me about the magic that is borne of thoughtful orchestration and fearless execution.” -- Stacy R., 2018, novelist
When it comes to edits, I don't deliver generalizations, and I can separate a pet peeves from a real editorial need. Some clients say my comments can be very funny. But what distinguishes me most is the tenor of my feedback. I write a lot in response, tracking my emotional and intellectual response to the work as I read. I believe there shouldn't be a single suggested change unexplained.
"Ben always gave great detailed feedback and I could tell that he sincerely cared about our progress as writers. He met each student where they were at, and I never felt judged. In terms of teaching style. Ben is great at giving explicit instructions and setting clear expectations, while maintaining a friendly comfortable tone."
---Brooke D., 2015
Though I've edited many genre novels, my specialty is literary fiction--novels and short stories.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Cultural & Ethnic
Historical Fiction
Literary Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Short Story
Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Awards
- First place, Short Fiction Contest, Puerto del Sol, 2015
Certifications
- Masters of Letters, Glasgow University
Work experience
The College Board
Jan, 2015 —
May, 2019
(over 4 years)
Various editorial roles overseeing production, copy editing, and content editing of textbooks and other classroom instructional materials in English Language Arts and others subjects. (I've also written and edited for the K-12 education market with 3 other companies for 15+ years, in New York and Minneapolis.)
Gotham Writer's Workshop
Aug, 2013 —
Present
Providing primarily MS developmental edits and assessment to individual clients, primarily of novels. Manuscripts genres include comic literary , coming-of-age novels of a gay Muslim teen, YA, and literary.
CreateSpace
Mar, 2012 —
Aug, 2013
(over 1 year)
CreateSpace is Amazon's self-publishing arm. I was part of their early launch with the payment models that were unsustainable for everyone. Thriller, Fantasy, military memoir, zombie apocalypse, comic, SciFi, YA--I worked with many genres, providing both copy editing and developmental editing on every book.
Portfolio
Nieve Guerra finds herself caught between the tides of her parents’ rocky relationship and a country in the midst of a revolution. Recording her daily thoughts and accounts of living with her abusive father, an alcoholic theater actor, Nieve uses her diary to ... read more
During our adolescent years, we leave behind our childish ways to enter a long process to carry us into adulthood. Often times, we are not aware of exactly how often this phase of continuous change occurs. In this book, you will find answers to important quest... read more
Thirteen years ago,Aishling Delaney was reclaimedfrom the realm of the unseen.Thirteen years later,the ancient curse that stalks Clan Delaneyseeks revenge on its princess.Thirteen days until,the Ten Colds Moon comes for her.Now exiled because of his sacrifice,... read more
While growing up in the countryside in South Carolina, Dr. Altamese (Pelzer) Moore always attended church with her grandmother on Sunday mornings. The pastor’s sermons echoed with words like “God sees everything you do” and “God will always be with you.” As Dr... read more
In DESTROYERMEN: KOREAN HANGFIRE, author Richard Tennent introduces two newly commissioned Ensigns to the facts of life on a navy destroyer engaged in intensive battle-action during the closing months of the Korean War. In dramatic action within a plot of deve... read more
Auctions and estate sales are a relaxing, favorite pastime for Rachel Allen. Then one sunny Saturday at a sale, she encounters an old camelback trunk that seems to be calling her. She purchases the trunk and by accident finds hundreds of pieces of an aged manu... read more
No Regrets, No Apologies is an improbable memoir of a man who was a heart surgeon, a mountain climber and a doctor who worked for humanitarian organizations. The narrative takes the reader through a kaleidoscope of scenes--a troubled childhood in a small Calif... read more
It’s 1967, the Summer of Love. With the war in Vietnam raging and the draft hanging over their heads, three Milwaukee high school graduates set off on very different paths to seek their own destinies and discover that people, places, and things are neither wha... read more
"Murder by the Gods" is a mystery thriller set in the glorious past of ancient Egypt. Narmer, the son of the Scorpion King, has become the first ruler of a united Egypt and founder of the country's First Dynasty. He has succeeded in uniting the peoples of Uppe... read more
Three years have passed since Liliana has come back from the Guardian Realm. She is now in eleventh grade, and her life has gotten back some sense of normalcy. She has grown up into a woman of substance and intellect. She is a good student, especially in scien... read more
Biblical tales retold as episodes in humanity's battle with the ravenous undead. This series can be read in any order.Ancient Rome. Regina endures a death-in-life as a slave in the Subura, the ancient world's most terrible ghetto -- until a strange man sees he... read more
The sixties are dead…and so is Ginnie Mullens. She was many things—free spirit, flower child, entrepreneur, gambler—but first and foremost she was mystery writer Mallory’s friend and confidant since childhood. So Mallory understands when Sheriff Brennan drags ... read more
Although it’s been many years since the death of his father—an infamous serial killer known as Shame—Caleb Parker still struggles to free himself from his father’s dark shadow. Caleb wishes only for a normal life without being branded a “killer’s son,” but his... read more
Roscoe Kane is one of the last—and, in Mallory’s opinion, best—of the old-school mystery writers. Back in the day, he turned out crime thrillers filled with babes, bullets, and tough-guy banter. But today Kane is filled with bitterness over the nosedive his ca... read more
Book 6 in the Area 51 seriesIn his time at Area 51, Mike Turcotte has learned one thing: we are not alone. As part of an elite Special Forces team, the former Green Beret has encountered things that are well beyond human understanding. Now, two ancient rivals ... read more
Winner of the Best Book of the Year awarded by Blues411Music mogul Daniel Erickson’s life has come to a perilous crossroads. Literally. He has a ruthless pair of killers on his tail and is chasing a million dollars that he owes a Russian mobster.Standing along... read more
