Colleen Sell – Editor

My editorial career of more than three decades encompasses broad experience in book and magazine publishing, including seven years of editorial management. As a freelance writer and editor, I have edited 160+ books in numerous categories, both fiction and nonfiction -- including 40 volumes of the best-selling Cup of Comfort anthology series. I've also authored or ghostwritten several nonfiction books, including the national bestseller One Simple Idea and its sequel, One Simple Idea for Startups and Entrepreneurs.

I currently offer line/copy editing and proofreading services to authors and publishers of nonfiction and fiction books -- from self-help, inspirational, business, parenting/family, home & garden, and reference to memoir, literary nonfiction, novels, young adult fiction, and children's books. I also offer developmental editing and editorial assessments of nonfiction books on a select basis, due to the time such projects require. I no longer offer book ghostwriting services.

Recent projects include:

—Joy in Alzheimer's, William Barron, 2025. Copyedit.

—A Lap ArFemar Crusade, John Soforic, 2025. Copyedit.

—Everyone Gets Something, Ellen Krohne, 2025. Editorial assessment.

—Letting Love Flow, 2025; Healing with Spirit, 2021; Healing with Awareness, 2019; Healing through Chronic Pain, 2013 (1st ed) & 2019 (2nd ed), Mary Ruth Velicki. Developmental & line/copy edit, proofreading.

—Discover the Power of Laughter, Sarah Routman & Rachael Siegelman, 2024. Copyedit.

—Feminist Manifest0, Beth Rogers, 2022. Editorial assessment & chapter outline.

—Ramping Your Brand, James F. Richardson, 2019 (1st Ed) & 2025 (2nd Ed). Developmental & copy edit.

—Target Funding, Kedma Ough, McGraw-Hill, 2019. Book proposal, ghostwriting, copyediting.

—ReducedEffort Changeover, Ron Heiskell, 2018 (1st Ed) & 2020, Taylor & Francis (2nd Ed). Developmental edit & copy edit.

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"Targeting a wider audience has worked perfectly for me, and it was Colleen who saw this opportunity. She helped me attract the right audience and fulfill my book’s true potential!" —James Richardson, Ramping Your Brand. See: https://blog.reedsy.com/stories/james-richardson/

"Colleen S.'s attention to detail is matched only by her knowledge of the publishing process. I've continually found her to be one of the most responsive authors and editors I've ever worked with." —Meredith O'Hayre McCarthy, Managing Editor, Simon & Schuster, Adams Media

"My book, One Simple Idea, reached #1 in three Amazon categories, was in the top 20 of all books sold on Amazon, and received over 50 five-star reviews within a few weeks of its release. This never would have happened without the great work of Colleen Sell, my ghostwriter. She made my content easy to read and found my voice." —Stephen Key, One Simple Idea and One Simple Idea for Startups & Entrepreneurs

"Colleen has remarkable command of the English language. Her comments and questions helped me clarify and expand the messages in my books, and her changes made the text accurate and easy to read while maintaining my voice." —Mary Ruth Velicki, The Healing Series and Letting Love Flow

"You understood what I was trying to say and said it eloquently. Thank you so much for your tireless editing and wonderful writing." —Ron Heiskell, Reduced Effort Changeover