Billie Smith-Haffener – Editor

With a master's degree in publishing and eleven years' experience copyediting and proofreading for indie publishers and university presses, I'm a versatile editor familiar with a variety of modes and genres, from literary fiction, genre fiction, and memoir to academic nonfiction and journal articles.

I specialize in work by queer people, women, and people of color, and I approach every text with its readers always in mind, editing not only to correct typos and grammatical errors but to ensure that the language is inclusive, accurate, and considered.

At the same time, I approach each author as a person, and I edit with the philosophy that an author’s work is their own, suggesting revisions to help clarify their message, not to alter it or insert my own voice.

I'm now offering a select number of copyediting slots at a sliding scale rate for LGBTQ+ fiction and fiction by authors of color.

--Testimonials--

"I’ve been writing, editing, and publishing for nearly 30 years and have worked with a great many copyeditors. Billie is, by far, one of the best. They made great suggestions and made sure that my manuscript conformed to Chicago‘s often confusing guidelines. I hope they copyedit my next book too!” —Andy McPhee, retired publisher and author of Donora Death Fog: Clean Air and the Tragedy of a Pennsylvania Mill Town

"I have hired Billie for all three of my books that are either published or slated for publication, and I have no doubt that they have been an integral part of those sales. . . . I do not feel comfortable sending out a query, chapter, or even a short essay without having Billie take a look at it. They are perceptive, enthusiastic, always willing to listen, and their prices are exceptionally reasonable.” —Julia Bricklin, author of The Notorious Life of Ned Buntline