Brooks Becker

Brooks Becker – Editor

Proofreader and copyeditor with experience at St. Martin's Press and Penguin Random House. I love modern memoirs about wild adventures.

Overview

Since completing the NYU copyediting course, I have proofed and copyedited fiction and non-fiction titles for St. Martin's Press and Random House, as well as more than 400 self-published titles. I strive to make books readable and grammatically correct while maintaining the author's voice. While my specialties are memoir and women's fiction, I am seeking opportunities to edit books of any genre. Everyone has an important story to tell, and I am grateful for every opportunity to contribute to a memoir. I enjoy offering light developmental feedback as needed when copyediting and proofreading. I don't just read for grammar and spelling--I care deeply about your life experiences, your characters, and your story arc.

When my schedule allows, I offer fast turnarounds at a rush rate.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Education & Reference Entertainment Inspirational Psychology Travel
Fiction
Humor & Comedy Romance Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • NYU Fundamentals of Copyediting and Proofreading for Books
  • BA in English and Journalism
  • MA in French

Work experience

Penguin Random House

Feb, 2018 — Present

St. Martin's Press

Apr, 2017 — Present

City of New York

Jan, 2016 — Aug, 2017 (over 1 year)

Lippincott Massie McQuilkin

Aug, 2013 — Jan, 2014 (5 months)
Editorial intern at literary agency

Morningside Translations

Nov, 2012 — Mar, 2014 (over 1 year)

AT&T

Aug, 2010 — Aug, 2011 (about 1 year)

Time Inc.

Jan, 2008 — Jun, 2008 (5 months)

Atlanta magazine

Dec, 2007 — Jan, 2008 (about 1 month)

Atlanta magazine

Aug, 2007 — Dec, 2007 (4 months)

Portfolio

The Good Fight: A Novel

Danielle Steel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Against the electrifying backdrop of the 1960s, Danielle Steel unveils the gripping chronicle of a young woman discovering a passion for justice and of the unsung heroes she encounters on her quest to fight the good fight. The daugh... read more
So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y'all Don't Even Know

Retta

In her hilarious book of essays, Parks and Recreation star Retta shares the stories that led to her success in Hollywood.In So Close to Being the Sh*t, Y’all Don’t Even Know, Parks and Recreation star Retta takes us on her not-so-meteoric rise from roaches to ... read more
Beauchamp Hall: A Novel

Danielle Steel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Danielle Steel tells the uplifting story of an ordinary woman embracing an extraordinary adventure, and the daring choice that transforms her world. Winona Farmington once dreamed of graduating from college, moving to New York City,... read more
Good Things Out of Nazareth: The Uncollected Letters of Flannery O'Connor and Friends

Flannery O'Connor

A literary treasure of over one hundred unpublished letters from National Book Award-winning author Flannery O'Connor and her circle of extraordinary friends. Flannery O'Connor is a master of 20th-century American fiction, joining, since her untimely death in ... read more
Young China: How the Restless Generation Will Change Their Country and the World

Zak Dychtwald

The Wall Street Journal: "Engrossing...[Dychtwald]writes with an infectious energy."The Washington Post: "Enlightening...we learn that Chinese millennials, unlike their jaded American counterparts, are still dreamers and strivers, and have faith that they can ... read more
Frank and Al: FDR, Al Smith, and the Unlikely Alliance That Created the Modern Democratic Party

Terry Golway

"This is history told the old-fashioned way. The book is only as long as it needs to be, the adroit narrative full of heroes (Smith, Roosevelt, big-city Democratic bosses) and villains (William Randolph Hearst, William Jennings Bryan, the Ku Klux Klan). The sc... read more
Formerly Known As Food: How the Industrial Food System Is Changing Our Minds, Bodies, and Culture

Kristin Lawless

One of Bustle's "17 Best Nonfiction Books Coming Out In June 2018" • One of The Revelator's "16 New Environmental Books for June" • One of Equinox's "5 Books High Performers Should Read in June" • One of Foodtank's "18 Books Making a Splash This Summer" • One ... read more
Homeward Hound: A Novel ("Sister" Jane Book 11)

Rita Mae Brown

“Sister” Jane Arnold returns in a colorful mystery featuring four-legged sleuths—and the breathtaking thrill of the chase—from the New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Like a Fox. As winter deepens over the Blue Ridge Mountains, even the threat of snowst... read more
The Adults: A Novel

Caroline Hulse

Two divorced parents. Their daughter. Their new partners. A family holiday...of sorts. What could possibly go wrong?Meet The Adults.Claire and Matt are no longer together but decide that what's best for their daughter Scarlett is to have a "normal" family Chri... read more
The Gift of Our Wounds: A Sikh and a Former White Supremacist Find Forgiveness After Hate

Arno Michaelis

The powerful story of a friendship between two men—one Sikh and one skinhead—that resulted in an outpouring of love and a mission to fight against hate.One Sikh. One former Skinhead. Together, an unusual friendship emerged out of a desire to make a difference.... read more
No Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results

Cy Wakeman

The New York Times bestselling author of Reality-Based Leadership rejects the current fad of "engaging" employees and the emotional drama of "meeting their needs"--returning leadership to leaders and productivity to businesses.For years now, leaders in almost ... read more
Accidental Brothers: The Story of Twins Exchanged at Birth and the Power of Nature and Nurture

Dr. Nancy L. Segal

"A unique window into human behavior and development." —Steven PinkerThe riveting story of two sets of identical twins separated at birth and improbably reunited as adults, a dream case for exploring nature and nurture.Accidental Brothers tells the unique stor... read more
How to Turn Down a Billion Dollars: The Snapchat Story

Billy Gallagher

"In the grand tradition of Ben Mezrich's The Accidental Billionaires (2009)... an engaging look into a fascinating subculture of millions." —Booklist"Breezy...How to Turn Down a Billion Dollars ably if uncritically chronicles the short history of a young compa... read more
My Country, My Life: Fighting for Israel, Searching for Peace

Ehud Barak

The definitive memoir of one of Israel's most influential soldier-statesmen and one-time Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, with insights into forging peace in the Middle East.In the summer of 2000, the most decorated soldier in Israel's history—Ehud Barak—set himsel... read more

Brooks has 237 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Alexandria M.

Alexandria M.

Nov, 2025

Brooks was great to work with! She was very agreeable to taking some specific direction in order to preserve the author's voice and writing style in the manuscript, which resulted in just the right proofing feedback. Would definitely work with her again!
Ann M.

Ann M.

Nov, 2025

Brooks was exceedingly helpful. My manuscript, which made use of many old letters and archival materials was challenging. I feel so much better about moving my project to the next stage.
Julia K.

Julia K.

Oct, 2025

I honestly cannot say enough positive things about Brooks! When it came to my novel, she helped me create such a polished final product. I dreamed about getting my book to the level she helped me achieve. Throughout the entire process, she was very responsive, timely with her edits, lovely to cor...
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Marie C.

Marie C.

Oct, 2025

What an absolute pleasure it was to work with Brooks! She’s extremely easy to work with, very responsive and very talented! She followed my request perfectly and I would definitely hire her again for another project! Highly, highly recommend! What a wonderful and kind person!
Clara T.

Clara T.

Aug, 2025

I thought Brooks did an excellent job! She didn't just go over the technical stuff, but she seemed to have fun too, and that makes me happy. As an extra bonus, she happens to have an MA in French and, since I have some French in my book, having someone familiar with the language was super helpful...
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