Cassandra Caswell-Stirling

Cassandra Caswell-Stirling – Editor

Development editor and writing coach with 8+ years of experience, specializing in mysteries, fantasy, and non-fiction books.

Overview

I am a development editor and writing coach for first-time writers as well as more experienced authors. I love helping writers find their voice and improve their manuscript to be the best work it can be. I don't specialize in any one genre but have worked on mystery & thrillers (several publishing later this year), fantasy, legal, self-help, business, political science, philosophy, and memoir nonfiction titles.

I am currently a freelance editor, but I also have worked in traditional publishing as well, spending more than five years as an editor at Oxford University Press and two years as a copy editor for Berghahn Books. Along with that, I've worked in the legal industry and in online marketing. You could say my entire career has been focused on language and expression - and you wouldn't be wrong!

I love helping authors improve their work, adding depth, complexity, and substance to whatever fiction or nonfiction story they are telling. Whether brainstorming the best way to fix a plot hole, chapter structure, themes, narrative tone and consistency, or wording, I truly enjoy the work I do, and it shows in my end product.

My goal is to help you craft the best content possible, keeping your themes, voice, and style in mind. While I suggest changes, both structurally and at the content level, they are written with the goal of improving your content or sparking an even better idea than the one I suggested. It is your story, and it should be told your way.

I have also written an urban fantasy novel, The Deep Space Between, which published in August 2021, and am working on the next book in the series, expecting to be published in September 2022.

I would love to work with you! If any of this sounds like a good fit, please reach out so that we can connect.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Law Philosophy Political Science & Current Affairs
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

New Degree Press

Oct, 2019 — Present

Writing coach, cheerleader and development editor for new writers writing a book, from start to rough manuscript. Provide feedback, brainstorming and encouragement on where the writers are, where they are going and how best to get there.

Self-employed

Sep, 2019 — Present

I have 8 years’ experience in development editing and copy editing in many nonfiction genres as well as fantasy, mysteries, and legal thrillers. I have also over 7 years’ experience in online multi-channel operational management and strategic development for a broad range of brands, verticals and business models.

Oxford University Press

Oct, 2007 — Jan, 2009 (over 1 year)

I researched topics on specific areas of law, then found law practitioners who were specialists therein to write practitioner titles. I also consulted on the book's structure, table of contents, book design, and marketing blurb. Had my titles reached the printing stage, I would have developmentally edited the title for flow and coherency.

Oxford University Press

Jun, 2006 — Oct, 2007 (over 1 year)

I managed in-house editors and reviewed monthly/bi-monthly content for twelve different legal subscription products and two bound volumes. The content was reviewed for structure, grammar, and coherency, as well as best placement within the subscription binders. I also executed market research and trend analysis, including writing interview scripts, web surveys and competitive analysis.

Self-employed

Jul, 2005 — Jun, 2010 (almost 5 years)

I thoroughly reviewed and copy edited non-fiction academic works focusing on sociology, ethnography, anthropology, history and politics for printing in both the US and the United Kingdom. The copy editing included grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.

Portfolio

Presumed Guilty: A Novel

Shapiro, Alexandra

Cassandra has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jane T.

Jane T.

Nov, 2022

My fiction manuscript has been edited several times by professional editors and now I know there is a big difference in quality between editors who have also also been authors as opposed to editors who have not published their books. Cassandra's experience as an author shows and has been been very helpful in getting my work to the next distinct level. Her approach to reading through the manu...
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