Christy Distler

Christy Distler – Editor

Editor specializing in Christian contemporary, historical, suspense, and romantic fiction, and Christian living and devotionals

Overview

Partnering with authors is my passion, and being an author myself—published both traditionally and independently—has given me a broad understanding of what my clients need on their path to publication. I've worked on 400+ books over the years, and several of my authors have won awards, including the American Fiction Awards, Tapestry Award, CIPA Christian Indie Award, FHLRCA Award, and CSPA Award.


I have twenty years of editorial experience and a creative writing background that includes published fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. In addition to subcontracting for Revell (Baker), I offer content (developmental) editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, and manuscript critique to individual authors pursuing traditional and independent publishing. My specialties are contemporary, women's, 18th- and 19th-century historical, suspense, Christian/ inspirational, and clean romantic fiction. I also have a lot of experience with Christian living books and devotionals.


In 2015, I co-authored 5 Editors Tackle the 12 Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing with four other editors. My first novel released in 2020, and was a 2021 American Fiction Awards winner, a 2021 International Book Awards finalist, and a 2022 Historical Fiction Company Book of the Year semi-finalist. My second novel released in 2021 and was a 2021 Best Book Awards winner.


I have judged ACFW's First Impressions and Genesis contests; have taught at Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference and PENCON; and am a member of Editorial Freelancers Association, The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, and ACFW.


I'd love to discuss your manuscript with you!

Services
Fiction
Christian Fiction Contemporary Romance Historical Fiction Historical Romance
Non-Fiction
Christian Non-Fiction Health & Wellbeing Inspirational Writing & Publishing
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Marjorie Baer Scholarship for Editorial Excellence (UC Berkeley/Peachpit Press)
  • Top 19 Christian Freelance Book Editors (Writing Tips Oasis)
  • 2021 American Fiction Awards winner (A Cord of Three Strands)
  • 2021 International Books Awards finalist (A Cord of Three Strands)
  • 2021 American Fiction Awards winner (The Heart Knows the Way Home)
  • 2022 Historical Fiction Company Book of the Year semi-finalist (A Cord of Three Strands)

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2012 — Present

AES offers developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, and manuscript critique for fiction and nonfiction. Clients include publishing houses and individual authors pursuing traditional and indie publishing.

Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Mar, 2021 — Present

* Nonfiction: Copyediting, proofreading, and galley proofreading
* Fiction: Pre-editing content review, copyediting, proofreading, and galley proofreading

BroadStreet Publishing Group

Jul, 2015 — Jul, 2019 (about 4 years)

* Nonfiction: Content editing, copyediting, proofreading, and galley proofreading

* Fiction: Proofreading and galley proofreading

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Jul, 2015 — Dec, 2015 (5 months)

* Provided managing editor with manuscript evaluations to assist in acquisitions

* Wrote acceptance and rejection letters to be included with manuscript evaluations

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Jul, 2015 — Feb, 2018 (over 2 years)

Nonfiction and fiction: Proofreading and galley proofreading

M*Modal

Oct, 2003 — May, 2012 (over 8 years)

Portfolio

The Road before Us: (A Route 66 Novel of Reconciliation and Romance)

Rosche, Janine

This Is Where It Ends: A Novel

Sproles, Cindy K.

The Seamstress of Acadie: (A Historical Romance Novel of Fleeing War and New Beginnings Set in 1750's Canada)

Frantz, Laura

He Should Have Told the Bees: (Women's Contemporary Fiction about Sisters, Family, and Beekeeping)

Amanda Cox

The Rose and the Thistle: A Novel

Frantz, Laura

Anything but Plain

Fisher, Suzanne Woods

Sundown (Sky King Ranch Book #3)

Warren, Susan May

Targeted: Three Romantic Suspense Novellas

Eason, Lynette

Body of Evidence (Triple Threat Book #3)

Hannon, Irene

Beneath the Bending Skies

Kirkpatrick

Deception (Natchez Trace Park Rangers Book #4)

Bradley, Patricia

Crossfire (Extreme Measures Book #2)

Eason, Lynette

The Last Way Home (Prince Edward Island Shores Book #2)

Johnson, Liz

Fatal Code (The SNAP Agency Book #2)

Walters, Natalie

The Spark of Love (Mesquite Springs Book #3)

Cabot, Amanda

The Catch (US Marshals Book #3)

Harris, Lisa

Crosshairs (Natchez Trace Park Rangers Book #3)

Bradley, Patricia

A Season on the Wind

Fisher, Suzanne Woods

An Impossible Price: Front Range Brides - Book 3

Spencer, Davalynn

All Things Beautiful: 31 Devotions for Single Moms

Nikki Leonti Edgar

At age fifteen, Nikki Leonti signed a record deal and had a successful Christian music career. Three years later she became pregnant out of wedlock, which caused many to turn away from her. When she envisioned her future, she didn't foresee her life falling ap... read more
Penned Without Ink - Trusting God to Write Your Story

Sarah Lynn Phillips

Winner of the 2017 Feathered Quill Book Awards With a near-fatal car crash resulting in trauma, uncertainty, and life-long limitations, Penned Without Ink: Trusting God to Write Your Story will draw you into the true story of one family's journey of faith. The... read more
The Power to Be: A 40-Day Devotional: Be Still, Be Grateful, Be Strong, Be Courageous

Twila Belk

Be still. Be grateful. Be strong. Be courageous.Sure, that's easy for you to say, but you don't know what I'm dealing with. Is that what you're thinking? The good news is that it is possible to be still, grateful, strong, and courageous--even when undergoing t... read more
Teach from Love: School Year Devotional for Families

Sam Sorbo

Learning and transformation happens when education goes beyond books into the heart.Teach from Love is an inspirational and educational devotional for families to explore and embrace the godly qualities we want for our kids (and for ourselves). It contains thi... read more
Shadowlands and Songs of Light: An Epic Journey into Joy and Healing

Kevin Ott

Shadowlands and Songs of Light: An Epic Journey into Joy and Healing explores eighteen beloved C. S. Lewis books and songs from thirteen studio albums by the legendary band U2, all to answer one question: how do we truly experience the joy and love of Christ i... read more
Josiah's Fire: Autism Stole His Words, God Gave Him a Voice

Tahni Cullen

Where is hope when there is no hope? First-time parents Joe and Tahni Cullen were thrust into the confusing world of autism when their toddler, Josiah, suddenly lost his ability to speak, play, and socialize. The diagnosis: Autism Spectrum Disorder. In their a... read more
Called to Greatness: 31 Devotions to Ignite the Faith of Fathers & Sons

Dan Britton

Fathers, notice your sons. Listen to them. Guide them. Encourage them. You have an opportunity to reflect the heart of your heavenly Father on their path to significance. Sons, honor your father. Love him. Learn from him. Walk with him. You have an opportunity... read more
The Pursuit: 14 Ways in 14 Days to Passionately Seek God's Purpose for Your Life

T. C. Stalling

*God has a SPECIFIC plan for you... And you CAN know exactly what it is!In 2008, I was a pro football player, business owner, husband, and father of two. Life was good, simple, and secure...until a night at the movies with my wife changed EVERYTHING. What foll... read more
The Evidence of Faith

Timothy P. Mahoney

"What is faith and upon what do we build its foundation?" This pivotal question challenged filmmaker Tim Mahoney throughout his 12-year journey during the creation of his critically acclaimed film Patterns of Evidence. In this follow-up book, The Evidence of F... read more
An Interview with God: Official Movie Novelization

Robert Noland

AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD: Official Movie NovelizationPaul Asher, an up-and-coming journalist, returns home from covering the war in Afghanistan to find his life falling apart. His marriage is near collapse, and he’s in the grips of a personal crisis he struggles ... read more
A Rebel in My House (Civil War Romance Series Book 2)

Sandra Merville Hart

Sarah Hubbard makes her living as a seamstress in her solitary home beside Willoughby Run, a creek near Gettysburg. Her loyalties are firmly on the side of the North so when Confederate soldier, Jesse Mitchell, seeks refuge at her home she cautiously agrees to... read more
Mourning Dove

Claire Fullerton

"An accurate and heart-wrenching picture of the sensibilities of the American South." Kirkus Book ReviewsThe heart has a home when it has an ally. If Millie Crossan doesn't know anything else, she knows this one truth simply because her brother Finley grew up ... read more
Saratoga Letters

Elaine Marie Cooper

2017 Selah Awards FinalistIt is 1777. The Battle of Saratoga, a turning point of the Revolutionary War, encourages the American Continental Army with their first great victory. But there seems little to celebrate for one patriotic woman forced to nurse wounded... read more
A Twist of Faith

Pepper Basham

"Basham weaves a unique tale sure to please the romantic at heart."Denise Hunter, bestselling author of Married 'til Monday Dr. Adelina Roseland has worked ten years in research as an accent reduction specialist to attain her dream job. But a secret wager to t... read more
A Season to Dance

Patricia Beal

Ana Brassfield has her path to the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House all figured out until her first love, renowned German dancer Claus Gert, returns to Georgia to win her back. Despite a promising start towards her ballet career and pending marriage to la... read more
Moments of Truth - Eight years, no kids, she got the house

Sandra D. Bricker

NSPY Awards Nominee for Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense Bricker s novel is full of friendship and surprises, as well as a healthy dose of love and romance...Fair warning, there s a slightly higher amount of romantic heat than is in most inspirational ... read more
The Miracle Tree: A Novel

Davalynn Spencer

Cowboy romance.She’s back and everything is the same except the boy next door.(“Director’s Cut!” - Revised second edition, first published in 2013 as The Rancher’s Second Chance.)Laura Bell is looking for a second chance, not another romance. Devastated by her... read more
Romancing the Widow: The Cañon City Chronicles - Book 3

Davalynn Spencer

Sweet Historical Western RomanceRomancing the Widow – The Cañon City Chronicles – Book 3The Hutton family is back—two generations of adventurous men and courageous women carving out a life in the Old West.A heart-tugging tale of hope, danger, and love.Revised ... read more
Straight to My Heart: The Cañon City Chronicles - Book 2

Davalynn Spencer

Sweet Historical Western RomanceStraight to My Heart – The Cañon City Chronicles – Book 2The Hutton family is back—two generations of adventurous men and courageous women carving out a life in the Old West.Looks like old enemies can become friends—and more—unt... read more
Loving the Horseman: The Cañon City Chronicles - Book 1

Davalynn Spencer

Sweet Historical Western RomanceLoving the Horseman – The Cañon City Chronicles – Book 1The Hutton family is back—two generations of adventurous men and courageous women carving out a life in the Old West.Annie Whitaker refuses to wait for some man to come alo... read more
An Unexpected Redemption: a novel (Front Range Brides Book 2)

Davalynn Spencer

Sweet Historical Western RomanceAn Unexpected Redemption - Book 2 in the Front Range Brides collection of stories about strong women who find and defend love in 1880s Colorado.He doesn’t need her sass. She doesn’t need his approval. But they both need a second... read more
An Improper Proposal: a novel (Front Range Brides) (Volume 1)

Davalynn Spencer

Sweet Historical Western Romance An Improper Proposal – First in the Front Range Brides collection of stories about strong women who find and defend love in 1880s Colorado. Love hadn’t brought her to Colorado, but it might be the one thing that keeps her there... read more

Christy has 67 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jeff V.

Jeff V.

Nov, 2024

Wow! Amazing experience working with Christy. On top of being an incredibly skilled editor, she coaches on story structure and creative ideas that enhance the writing. I have found the perfect editor for all my work going forward. Do not hesitate to work with Christy on your project!
Natasha G.

Natasha G.

Nov, 2024

As always, it is a pleasure to work with Christy. Her professionalism is amazing and so is her work.
Sandra M.

Sandra M.

Oct, 2024

This was my first time to work with an editor, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I don't know what other editors are like, but Christy was my perfect choice. Not only does Christy comment on the writing itself, but she also provides a road map of your story. Her first round of edits was accompanied by an encouraging letter, instructions for redlining, and other helpful advice. She puts a lot of...
Read more
Larry M.

Larry M.

Oct, 2024

Very professional… easy to work with.
Stephen P.

Stephen P.

Sep, 2024

Christy just completed her third editorial project for me. The fact that I hired her for a third time is all you really need to know. But just in case that message doesn't get through, Christy is the consummate professional. She is prompt, experienced, knowledgeable, and helpful. Don't hesitate to engage Christy for your book.

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