Shannon Berning

Shannon Berning – Editor

Book editor & publishing strategist with 25 years' experience transforming important ideas and stories into award-winning, bestselling books

Overview

PUBLISHING CONSULTANT & EDITOR

I’m an entrepreneurial publishing strategist, editor, and book coach with 25 years’ experience transforming complex ideas into compelling narratives that drive engagement and impact. I love helping authors to find their publishing path, particularly through editorial assessments.

I was previously publisher of Wharton School Press, where I led a boutique imprint at the Wharton School. I helped to build the press from startup concept to global brand, and acquired books featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Financial Times. I started at Wharton School Press at its founding as executive editor, acquiring and editing business books by leading experts.

Prior to that, I acquired and edited titles for other presses across many categories, including business, health, psychology and self-help, memoir and narrative nonfiction, popular science, history, LGBTQ studies, and YA. My experience at small and independent presses has allowed me to wear many hats, and unlike most editors, I have broad training and experience. I have done or overseen every job in the publishing process, which allows me to provide my clients with more comprehensive support to make their book a success.

In my spare time, I am a hospice volunteer, and I was previously a Big Sister with Big Brothers, Little Sisters until my Little graduated from high school and went to college.

Services
Publishing Services
Non-Fiction
Business & Management Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 2026 — Present
> Guide authors through the publishing process: manuscript development, book proposals, ghostwriting partnerships, market positioning, and literary agent and publisher matchmaking > Support organizations that want to launch a press or an imprint > Help small and hybrid presses professionalize operations and editorial and production processes

Wharton School Press

Aug, 2017 — Jul, 2025 (almost 8 years)
Led book publishing arm of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Publishing Strategy
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Publishing Strategy
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching Publishing Strategy Distribution Contracts & Rights
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching Publishing Strategy Distribution Contracts & Rights
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching Publishing Strategy Distribution Contracts & Rights
Book Coaching Publishing Strategy Distribution Contracts & Rights
Editorial Assessment Book Coaching Publishing Strategy Distribution Contracts & Rights
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching Publishing Strategy Distribution Contracts & Rights

Shannon has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Nelson P.

Nelson P.

Jun, 2026

Shannon's editorial assessment was exceptional — honest, thorough, and written by someone who genuinely cared about what the manuscript could become. What set her apart was her willingness to meet afterward, think through the feedback together, and help me find the book's real identity. That conv...
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Uma V.

Uma V.

May, 2026

Shannon provided a thoughtful, thorough, and well-organized editorial assessment of our manuscript. Her written feedback was clear, detailed, and actionable, helping us better understand both the strengths of the work and opportunities to strengthen structure, content, and reader experience. We e...
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Britt V.

Britt V.

May, 2026

As a first-time author, working with Shannon has been incredibly helpful. I came into this process new to editing and publishing and unsure of what kind of support I even needed. Her editorial assessment, which she recommended after figuring out where I was in the process of birthing my book, tur...
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