Overview
My in-house experience includes being a senior editor for a Big Four (formerly known as the Big Five) publishing house (Perseus Books Group, now Hachette) and many years on the editorial staff for Chicago Review Press, an independent trade book publisher. In addition, I've been a freelance editor since 2006.
My favorite genres to edit include memoir, biography, spirituality, prescriptive nonfiction, sociology, environmentalism, gender studies, history, travel/adventure, and children's nonfiction. I've also edited historical fiction, mysteries, and general fiction. I LOVE working on books that teach or share something valuable, from personal experiences to important information. I like to say that I edit "books that matter."
My services are varied, flexible, and entirely dependent on the needs of my authors and their manuscripts. I offer everything from manuscript assessments and content/development/substantive editing to copy editing, line editing, and proofreading. My rates are negotiable.
Message me to learn more about how I can help you to achieve your goals for your book!
***Testimonials from past clients***
"Working with Brooke has been fabulous. She is so insightful and thorough. Best of all, she truly delights in helping to shape the manuscript while retaining the true voice of the author. That's an amazing combination to find in an editor!" --Curlin Reed Sullivan, author of *Where's My F***ing Cake, Bob? How I Survived My True Love's Trips to Rehab*
"My first book, *The Life I’ve Picked,* came out good, but it was Brooke Maddaford who put the icing on. She brought it to its final stage, making it even more appealing to the reader. Her abilities were quite diligent, focused, and on target, never straying from the original intent but instead making it better. Brooke gave it that nice final touch that shows an how editor of her talent is essential for the best final version. Thank you Brooke!” --John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and author of *The Life I've Picked: A Banjo Player's Nitty Gritty Journey*
"Brooke served as my editor on several major projects. She is everything you want a copy editor and development editor to be: attentive, a stickler for rules, and sharp-eyed. I highly recommend Brooke for all of your editorial needs." --Anthony Wahl, Acquisitions Editor, Oxford University Press
"Personable. Responsive. Technically skilled yet keen not to edit over the author's voice. Those are precisely the attributes I look for when seeking editorial assistance, and Brooke Maddaford delivered. I couldn't have been happier with my experience with her. When I worked with Brooke I was a rookie author. With close to a dozen books now to my name, my experience with her still stands out as being among the most positive." --Dr. Michael Carolan, Colorado State University Associate Dean of Research for the College of Liberal Arts and Professor of Sociology
***Exciting News!***
A trade book that I copy edited (*A Futile and Stupid Gesture: How Doug Kenney and National Lampoon Changed Comedy Forever*) was recently adapted into a major motion picture of the same name that was featured at Sundance 2018 and is streaming on Netflix.
A music memoir that I copy edited (John McEuen's *The Life I've Picked: A Banjo Player's Nitty Gritty Journey*) has been receiving stellar reviews. As of June 2021, 132 of 149 Amazon reviews have FIVE STARS!
Services
Non-Fiction
Languages
Awards
- Business and Professional Women of Colorado, Member of the Year, Denver chapter
- Founder, Colorado Chapter of Editorial Freelancers Association
Certifications
- University of Denver, Publishing Institute, Certificate
- University of Chicago, Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies, Certificate in Basic Editing
- Copy Editing Magazine, Workshop, “100 Things Every Copy Editor Should Know,” Certificate
Work experience
Self-employed
I offer everything from manuscript assessments and content/development/substantive editing to copy editing, line editing, and proofreading. My editorial goals are to maintain an author's voice, content, and intention while enhancing and clarifying the writing. My rates are negotiable and I'm happy to work within your budget to make your words shine!
Westview Press in the Perseus Books Group (now Hachette)
Continued all duties listed below for Associate Development Editor plus the following:
Assessed prospective projects to help determine salability and recommended appropriate contract terms. Collaborated with marketing department to write and develop marketing materials. Developed all online content with authors and freelance contract workers. Performed developmental edits on all books projected to earn $30,000+ per year. Determined, edited, and implemented all online and electronic content needs. Managed online database of reviewer feedback. Recruited, trained, and managed all permissions contract workers and managed coordination of all permissions projects.
Westview Press in the Perseus Books Group (now Hachette)
Continued all duties listed below for Associate Editor plus the following:
Negotiated and managed developmental schedules, budgets, and records for all projects. Created and implemented plans for manuscript revisions and quality assurance. Innovated procedures to ensure compliance to revision recommendations and development plans. Co-managed Westview’s publishing assistant. Directed internship program, including fellows program with alma mater, and hired/managed all interns. Created database to track all review and market feedback.
Westview Press in the Perseus Books Group (now Hachette)
Created, implemented, and managed all development procedures including writing questionnaires/surveys, analyzing reviews, and writing assessments that summarized data/revision recommendations into concise documents. Coordinated all book development needs with authors/editors including communicating content and revision needs, schedules, and writing processes and procedures. Conducted market and competition research and wrote summarizing reports in clear language. Led regular meetings with Marketing and Editorial departments. Directed Editorial Assistant in securing reviews.
Perseus Books Group (now Hachette)
Responsible for taking 9–15 projects at a time from raw manuscript to press. Managed 24–45 freelancers at a time. Coordinated and managed all aspects of book production including all communication between authors, designers, acquisitions editors, and freelance contract workers. Proofread and copy edited various aspects of all projects.
Chicago Review Press
Chicago Review Press
Portfolio
Brooke has 9 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness

Auna J.
Oct, 2022

Carolyn M.
Jan, 2022

Joanne K.
Nov, 2021

Jarod G.
Jun, 2021

Shane T.
Jun, 2021