Stephanie Chou

Stephanie Chou – Editor

Experienced editor specializing in copyediting and proofreading genre fiction. I've never met a sentence I couldn't diagram!

Overview

I've enjoyed being an editor since 2015, working with a wide range of authors and project types, from traditionally published novels to self-published memoirs to government reports to card games. Most frequently, I follow Chicago style, but I'm able to apply AP, APA, MLA, and other style guides as needed.

My editing approach is to partner with the author, absorbing their voice and style so that my edits complement and enhance their writing. It's so fulfilling to work alongside authors and support their books, and I feel that my intimate knowledge of Chicago style allows me to understand when it's best to apply those rules rigidly and when it's okay to make exceptions. This flexibility is paired with a strong work ethic and love of literature, and I guarantee authors' satisfaction by explaining my edits and making sure we both understand each other's goals. Plus, I'm not above getting my hands dirty with some field testing to make sure the books are as realistic as possible! My husband's a great sport--more than once, I've accosted him as he walked innocently past and roped him into acting out fight scenes so I can ensure they flow well.

Past clients I've worked with are a varied bunch: everyone from self-published authors to debut authors to New York Times and Washington Post bestsellers and National Book Award winners. (Please note that because of NDAs, I haven't included forthcoming books below.) My favorite genres are crime and psychological thrillers, literary fiction, and fantasy, but I also enjoy and have significant experience editing romance, book club and women's fiction, YA fiction, and children's books. I'd love to help polish your book and support your publication goals!
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Christian Fiction Historical Fiction Humor & Comedy Mystery & Crime Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Urban Fantasy
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

N/A

Feb, 2015 — Present
As a freelancer, I work with midsize traditional publishing imprints and directly with authors.

Stephanie has 41 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Simon W.

Simon W.

Apr, 2025

Stephanie is always a joy to work with. Alongside her skills and professionalism she brings a human touch to all her interactions. I Would never hesitate to partner with Steph again in the future.
Michael H.

Michael H.

Apr, 2025

Stephanie proofed my novel. She was meticulous and conscientious. She met her deadlines and communicated well. I will definitely hire her again.
Mike M.

Mike M.

Mar, 2025

Stephanie was a joy to work with! She has great respect for the author’s vision and what they’re trying to accomplish. Her comments and edits were spot on, and her suggestions were very helpful and in keeping with the spirit of the book. She’s extremely meticulous, with a great eye for detail, an...
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Dan B.

Dan B.

Mar, 2025

Stephanie was an outstanding collaborative partner. Extremely detailed and gave great feedback and great suggestions. I would love to work with her again.
Randy K.

Randy K.

Mar, 2025

Describing Stephanie as a top-notch editor rings hollow to me. Like all elite editors, she has amazing editing skills and demonstrates meticulous attention to detail. But she does much more than ensure that my words fit within some prescribed format. Stephanie takes the time to understand the kno...
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Most recent contributions

What’s the biggest mistake writers make when breaking up paragraphs?

In fiction, the most common--and confusing!--issue I see with paragraph breaks occurs in conversations between characters. Authors almost always follow the rule of starting a new paragraph with each change in speaker, but sometimes, action beats (phrases describing what a character thinks or does...
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