Brooks Becker

Brooks Becker - Editor

New York, NY, USA

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

Request a quote

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 100 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. I only offer copyediting and proofreading at this time.
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Education & Reference
Entertainment
Inspirational
Psychology
Travel
Fiction
Humor & Comedy
Romance
Women's Fiction

Certifications

  • NYU Fundamentals of Copyediting and Proofreading for Books
  • BA in English and Journalism
  • MA in French

Work experience

Freelance proofreader

Penguin Random House
February, 2018 – Present (about 5 years)

Freelance proofreader

St. Martin's Press
April, 2017 – Present (almost 6 years)

Proofreader

City of New York
January, 2016 – August, 2017 (over 1 year)

Editorial intern

Lippincott Massie McQuilkin
August, 2013 – January, 2014 (5 months)

Editorial intern at literary agency

Editor

Morningside Translations
November, 2012 – March, 2014 (over 1 year)

Proofreader

AT&T
August, 2010 – August, 2011 (about 1 year)

Editorial intern

Time Inc.
January, 2008 – June, 2008 (5 months)

Fact-checker

Atlanta magazine
December, 2007 – January, 2008 (about 1 month)

Editorial intern

Atlanta magazine
August, 2007 – December, 2007 (4 months)

Portfolio (14 selected works)

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A literary treasure of over one hundred unpublished letters from National Book Award-winning author Flannery O'Connor and her circle of extraordinary friends.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 1964, the likes of Hawthorne, Hemingway, and Faulkner. Those familiar with her work know that her powerful ethical vision was rooted in ... read more

A literary treasure of over one hundred unpublished letters from National Book Award-winning author Flannery O'Connor and her circle of extraordinary friends.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 1964, the likes of Hawthorne, Hemingway, and Faulkner. Those familiar with her work know that her powerful ethical vision was rooted in ... 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, and pursuing a career in publishing. Then real life got in the way when she left college and returned to her small Michigan hometown to... read more

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, and pursuing a career in publishing. Then real life got in the way when she left college and returned to her small Michigan hometown to... 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 riches (well, rich enough that she can buy $15,000 designer handbags yet scared enough to know she’s always a heartbeat away from ramen ... read more

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 riches (well, rich enough that she can buy $15,000 designer handbags yet scared enough to know she’s always a heartbeat away from ramen ... read more

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 daughter and granddaughter of prominent Manhattan lawyers, Meredith McKenzie is destined for the best of everything: top schools, elite socia... read more

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 daughter and granddaughter of prominent Manhattan lawyers, Meredith McKenzie is destined for the best of everything: top schools, elite socia... 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 himself a challenge as daunting as any he had faced on the battlefield: to secure a final peace with the Palestinians. He would propose two st... read more

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 himself a challenge as daunting as any he had faced on the battlefield: to secure a final peace with the Palestinians. He would propose two st... 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 company catering to young users, with a young chief executive, and reveals, intentionally or not, the limitations that come with that combina... read more

"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 company catering to young users, with a young chief executive, and reveals, intentionally or not, the limitations that come with that combina... read more

Accidental Brothers: The Story of Twins Exchanged at Birth and the Power of Nature and Nurture

Dr. Nancy L. Segal, Yesika S. Montoya

"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 story of two sets of identical Colombian twin brothers who discovered at age 25 that they were mistakenly raised as fraternal twins—when the... read more

"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 story of two sets of identical Colombian twin brothers who discovered at age 25 that they were mistakenly raised as fraternal twins—when the... 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 every industry have accepted two completely false assumptions--that change is hard, and that engagement drives results. Those beliefs ha... read more

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 every industry have accepted two completely false assumptions--that change is hard, and that engagement drives results. Those beliefs ha... read more

The Gift of Our Wounds: A Sikh and a Former White Supremacist Find Forgiveness After Hate

Arno Michaelis, Pardeep Singh Kaleka

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.When white supremacist Wade Michael Page murdered six people and wounded four in a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin in 2012, Pardeep Kaleka was ... read more

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.When white supremacist Wade Michael Page murdered six people and wounded four in a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin in 2012, Pardeep Kaleka was ... 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 Christmas. They can't agree on whose idea it was to go to the Happy Forest Holiday park, or who said they should bring their new partners. B... read more

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 Christmas. They can't agree on whose idea it was to go to the Happy Forest Holiday park, or who said they should bring their new partners. B... 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 snowstorms cannot derail this year’s Christmas run, not as long as Sister Jane has a say in it. With spirits high and traditions strong, a glo... read more

“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 snowstorms cannot derail this year’s Christmas run, not as long as Sister Jane has a say in it. With spirits high and traditions strong, a glo... 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 of CivilEats' "22 Noteworthy Food and Farming Books for Summer Reading—and Beyond"From the voice of a new generation of food activists, ... read more

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 of CivilEats' "22 Noteworthy Food and Farming Books for Summer Reading—and Beyond"From the voice of a new generation of food activists, ... 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 scenes are vivid and the anecdotes plentiful." ―The Wall Street Journal"Frank & Al is the latest of Mr. Golway’s several captivating books... read more

"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 scenes are vivid and the anecdotes plentiful." ―The Wall Street Journal"Frank & Al is the latest of Mr. Golway’s several captivating books... 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 achieve their dreams." Christian Science Monitor: "Fascinating... a remarkably revealing portrait of China's youngest generations."Randa... read more

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 achieve their dreams." Christian Science Monitor: "Fascinating... a remarkably revealing portrait of China's youngest generations."Randa... read more

Brooks has 170 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

ben wolfson
I just received my edited copy and have begun to work on the suggestions. From what I see so far, this editor is exactly what I needed. Her suggestions are easy to understand and clear. It will make a big difference in the final copy.

ben wolfson, March 2023


Alicia Wuerth
I like the way she did the edits on my book! I clearly understood her notes or what she wanted to change while keeping the style of my thoughts/words. I would definitely recommend her! She was very helpful.

Alicia Wuerth, March 2023


Alretha Thomas
This was my first time working with Brooks. She has great reviews and she lived up to them. She was professional and most importantly, she communicated with me throughout the process. She proofread my 86K novel and with her keen eye for detail, she was able to make a lot of corrections. I thought my book was in good shape until a reviewer mentioned I needed to have it proofread. Unbeknownst to...
Read more

Alretha Thomas, March 2023


Philip Gasiewicz
Murder Down Deep is the third novel on which Brooks Becker has worked, and as in the past, I have been extremely satisfied with our working relationship. She is prompt, courteous, professional, and supportive, and in each instance, has made my writing better for her work on it.

Philip Gasiewicz, February 2023


Jashaswini Mishra
Brooks is amazing to work with. I will reach out to her for my future books.

Jashaswini Mishra, January 2023

Read more reviews

Explore the Reedsy Community

Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.

Aimee Longos

Experienced Editor and writer specialising in self-help, wellbeing, psychology, health and science, non-fiction titles. Formerly of Penguin.

Plymouth, UK

Sharon Rutland

I work for self-publishing authors and publishers. I provide thorough and sensitive editing, enhancing words to make stories shine.

Derby, UK

To view 1,000+ more profiles, Join Reedsy