Carlisa Cramer

Carlisa Cramer – Editor

Former acquisition editor. Specializes in YA/MG. Experienced in dev editing, copyediting, and proofreading with trad and self-pub authors

Overview

I studied English literature and editing in college, giving me extensive experience and skills in all levels of editing from developmental editing to copyediting and final proofreading. I have honed my craft at publishers including Flux, Jolly Fish Press, Hollen Publishing, Cedar Fort Publishing, and more. I worked for several years as an acquisition editor for Flux and Jolly Fish Press, so I am experienced and familiar with the traditional publishing world, and I have also worked with many authors who have sought both the traditional and self-publishing routes. Throughout this time, my passion has always been for young adult and middle grade fiction, though I have experience in other areas too. I look forward to seeing how I can help!

Services
Fiction
Fantasy Historical Fiction Middle Grade Romance Young Adult
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

North Star Editions

Jul, 2017 — May, 2022 (almost 5 years)

Reviews submissions and queries. Actively seeks manuscripts for publication. Takes books from query to publication, managing all the details of editing.

Self-employed

Jan, 2017 — Present

Works as a freelance editor for a variety of clients, including individual authors and publishing companies, such as Hollen Publishing, Covenant Communications, Cedar Fort Publishing & Media, and Inkshares.

North Star Editions

Sep, 2016 — Jul, 2017 (10 months)

Reviewed every query submitted to North Star Editions and their imprints, Flux Books and Jolly Fish Press, who specialize in young adult and middle grade fiction. Gave critical feedback on whether or not to acquire books. Copyedited, proofread, and performed developmental work for books throughout each stage of the publication process.

Inscape Journal of Creative Writing

Jan, 2015 — May, 2016 (over 1 year)

Reviewed creative writing submissions. Edited poetry and short stories for publication in the journal, both online and in print.

Portfolio

Mulrox and the Malcognitos

Smith, Kerelyn

Ollie Oxley and the Ghost: The Search for Lost Gold

Lisa Schmid

Twelve-year-old Ollie Oxley is moving-again. His mom is starting another new job, this time at the Bingham Theater in Granite City, California. Moving all the time means Ollie has struggled in the making friends department, but he quickly connects with a boy n... read more
Rome Reframed (Wish & Wander)

Amy Bearce

Tallulah Tate and the Hotel for Elves

Moore, Jillian

Awakening Shadows (The Navarre Chronicles Book 1)

Hawthorn, Sydney

The Twisty Passages of Time: Book 1: Veer Left for Home

Loveridge, K.D.

Paris on Repeat (Wish & Wander)

Amy Bearce

GROUNDHOG DAY gets a hilarious French twist in this delightful upper middle grade novel about first crushes and friendship when an eighth-grade class trip to Paris goes horribly wrong and the worst day of one girls life keeps happening over and over. Fourteen-... read more
Nothing But Sky

Amy Trueblood

Grace Lafferty only feels alive when she's dangling 500 feet above ground. As a post-World War I wing walker, Grace is determined to get to the World Aviation Expo, proving her team’s worth against flashier competitors and earning a coveted Hollywood contract.... read more
Seeking Mansfield

Kate Watson

Sixteen-year-old Finley Price has perfected two things: how to direct a world-class production, and how to fly way, way under the radar. The only person who ever seems to notice Finley is her best friend and godparents' son, Oliver Bertram. Since Finley moved ... read more
Welcome Home

Eric Smith

Welcome Home collects a number of adoption-themed fictional short stories, and brings them together in one anthology from a diverse range of celebrated Young Adult authors. The all-star roster includes Edgar-award winner Mindy McGinnis, New York Times best-sel... read more
Brave Enough

Kati Gardner

Teenager Cason Martin is the youngest ballerina in the Atlanta Ballet Conservatory. She never really had a choice of whether she learned to dance or not. Her mother, the conservatory's artistic director, has made all the decisions in Cason's life. But that's a... read more
Contribute (The Holo Series Book 2)

Kristy Acevedo

The holograms lied to everyone on Earth and only Alexandra Lucas knows the truth. Now she's trapped in the year 2359 without family or friends—worse, without her anxiety medication. Alex attempts to reconcile the marvelous scenery, technological advances, and ... read more
Consider (The Holo Series Book 1)

Kristy Acevedo

As if 17-year-old Alexandra Lucas' anxiety disorder isn't enough, mysterious holograms suddenly appear, heralding the end of the world. They bring an ultimatum: heed the warning and step through a portal-like vertex to safety, or stay and be destroyed by a com... read more
The Dog Walker's Diary

Kathryn Donahue

When jaded and overworked Los Angeles literary agent Daniel Ashe hires Annie Doherty, an Irish dog walker, he’s simply looking for someone to care for his dogs so he can focus on landing a dream client and save his career. He certainly doesn’t expect to come h... read more
In the Claws of the Indigen (Spellgiver Book 2)

Steve Rodgers

The Old Gods have seized control of the capital in an orgy of executions and murder. Now, Larin and the others flee for their lives, as the High Wizard’s creatures fall upon them like a steel rain. Thus begins Book 2 of Spellgiver, a tale of heroism, hatred, w... read more
City of Shards (Spellgiver Book 1)

Steve Rodgers

In the gang-ridden Wormpile District, 16-year-old Larin shouts nonsense words into the decaying alleyways, a magical tourette’s syndrome that has brought him grief from every neighborhood thug. Protected from the worst beatings by his drug-addicted warrior-unc... read more
Keeper

Kim Chance

When a 200-year-old witch attacks her, sixteen-year-old bookworm Lainey Styles is determined to find a logical explanation. Even with the impossible staring her in the face, Lainey refuses to believe it—until she finds a photograph linking the witch to her dea... read more
Fall of the Dragon Prince (The Forgotten Heirs Trilogy)

Dan Allen

The union of the five realms stands on the brink of destruction. All hope lies with the secret heirs of Toran, but no one knows who they are, not even the heirs themselves. Reann, a 17-year-old keeper of the library in Toran's former castle, must find the next... read more
The Gentleman's Deception

Karen Tuft

Renowned actress Ruby Chadwick, The Darling of Drury Lane, has long planned and prepared for her final performance. With exceptional beauty comes the unwanted attention of men, and after years of fending off odious suitors, Ruby is ready to leave it all behind... read more
U-Turn at Next Synapse

Cory Wyszynski

The year is 2010. John Howard can barely stand upright as he stumbles through the streets, his crushing headache a brutal reminder that he’s the only person who knows the fate of humanity: he can see what will happen in the next one thousand years.The year is ... read more
Mind Games

Stephanie Black

Psychologist Natalie Marsh’s dream is now reality: her mental health services clinic has opened and is housed in an elegant, newly renovated nineteenth-century building. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the clinic’s presence, including Heather Osbourn... read more
Beyond the Code

Kelsey Rae Barthel

To the common world, Aurora Falon is merely the pampered daughter of a rich and influential family. But to the secret world of The Order, she is Luna, the powerful and formidable warrior knight, under the rule of her master, Cole Iver. Together, they strive to... read more
The Gnome Exchange Program: North Pole Rescue

Matt Caliri

All Geronimo wanted was to live out his quiet gnome life drawing unicorns while imagining himself on epic adventures. It's not until his twelfth birthday that his parents offer him a real adventure. The gnome exchange program sends Geronimo to the north pole w... read more
Storm of Fury: Winds of Legend

Andrew Wood

For as long as Kaven can remember, Lantrelia has been at war. Yet its foe is not flesh and blood, but the eternal rage of the god Na'lek. Incarnate in a mighty storm called the Fury, Na'lek's rage has butchered mankind by sending forth armies of supernatural m... read more
Beneath the Bellemont Sky

Ranee S. Clark

As WWII draws to a close, war widow Vera Larsen Trumbell knows all too well the sacrifices of those left on the home front. Working on her family’s farm has sustained Vera and her young children, but she now yearns for a sense of normalcy. The end of the war h... read more
Children Of The Blessing (The Lemurian Chronicles Book 1)

Perry Morris

When the gods bless you with great power, evil men will seek your life. But, there are worse things than men.The children of the blessing have never met. Renn wanted to be a farmer and Avaris a warrior, but their birth and blessing set an ancient prophecy in m... read more
Sweet Mercy

Donald S. Smurthwaite

What do you remember, what is important, what do you simply let go, sand piling on sand, until only the important events and memories are left? Much to the delight and good fortune of Arthur and Mary Bell, they were the proud parents of four strapping sons. Su... read more

Carlisa has 14 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Cari G.

Cari G.

Jul, 2024

Pinned
Carlisa was amazing to work with! She was very thorough and answered all of my questions, even going above and beyond what was expected. I would definitely work with her again.
Jeannette L.

Jeannette L.

Nov, 2023

Pinned
Carlisa is a great communicator. She gave me very clear expectations and delivered quality edits. Her edits were thoughtful and very helpful. She's given me very helpful areas to improve my manuscript, tailored exactly to what my story and my writing style need. I recommend working with Carlisa!
Carlisa C.
Thank you, Jeannette! It was great working with you.
Ashley B.

Ashley B.

Jul, 2022

Pinned
Carlisa is an amazing developmental editor. As an author it can be terrifying to have your work critiqued, but her editorial letter left me feeling so excited and more than ready to jump back into my manuscript! She was upfront and honest with me about my plot, characters and pacing and she was extremely thorough and detailed with her feedback. Her constructive criticism gave me the tools I n...
Read more
H K B.

H K B.

Jun, 2023

Carlisa is easy to work with and her attention to detail is outstanding. She delivered on time and took out time to answer any questions I had throughout the process.
Steve J.

Steve J.

Sep, 2021

Carlisa was prompt and easy to work with. Her work was top quality.
Carlisa C.
Thank you so much, Steve. It was great to work with you!

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