Courtney Oppel

Courtney Oppel – Editor

Experienced editor specializing in biography, regional interest and history. Clients include Rowman and Littlefield and Pearson Education.

Overview

I'm a Montana-based freelance editor experienced in all stages of editing, currently focused on copy editing and proofreading. Past clients include Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Company, Globe Pequot Press, Falcon Publishing, TwoDot Press, Pearson Education and Bangtail Press. With those publishers, my focus was on biographies of prominent men and women in American history, bios on infamous Americans (who doesn’t love a good book on a rotten character?) and regional interest titles. Reedsy has given me opportunities to expand into fiction, autobiographies and Christian interest/inspiration.

My passion is helping good writers become better writers and shepherding them through the process of getting their manuscripts publication ready. I consider my work successful when the writers I collaborate with have gained confidence in their abilities and greater knowledge of the publishing process.

Here is some feedback from authors I've worked with:

You were wonderful to work with . . . so professional and insightful! Had a great experience on the 2nd edition. (I've written 50 books so I've seen good, better, best . . . you are among the best.) And I'm pleased with how this book "looks" and "reads." A lion's share goes to your direction and feedback. You are really, really good--truly an editor! You bring out the best work I can do. As I reviewed the final proof, I need to call out a thank you. I so appreciated your help and guidance. (And your work on the visuals.) I'd work with you again in a second.
-Michael Rutter (author of Myths and Mysteries of the Old West)

On this, the actual pub date of my book, just wanted to say a direct and personal “Thank You” for your great help and support. I hope we’ll have an opportunity to work together again sometime.
- Ted Reinstein, Reporter, WCVB-TV (author of New England Notebook)

I appreciate all of your support. You are a great friend and editor, and long after our paths part, I hope you have a wonderful editing and writing career.
- James Crutchfield, Historian (author of Globe Pequot Press's It Happened In series)

Thank you SO much for all of your editing. You made a silk purse out of the sow's ear.
- Missy Wolfe (author of Insubordinate Spirit: A True Story of Life and Loss in Earliest America 1610-1665)

Thank you, Courtney. I can tell you intuitively get it that we are bringing people’s lives back to life! Thank you for supporting me in this quest ... it means a lot to me. Many, many thanks!
- Tricia Wagner (author of It Happened on the Underground Railroad)
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Christian Non-Fiction History Inspirational Travel True Crime
Fiction
Historical Fiction Historical Mysteries
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Company

Sep, 2011 — Oct, 2020 (about 9 years)

Working with authors on manuscript preparation for nonfiction titles for Globe Pequot Press (regional interest) and TwoDot Books (Western history) imprints; developmental editing; preparing materials for project editors; negotiating author contracts; proofreading galleys; writing cover copy; acquiring art and permissions for publication

Self-employed

Jan, 2010 — Jun, 2010 (5 months)

Researching and writing articles on various topics for online publication

Pearson Education

Aug, 2007 — Aug, 2010 (about 3 years)

Collaborating with textbook authors, developers and production staff to copyedit and proofread online nursing course tests, comparing them against electronic source documents for content accuracy, format consistency and bugs/errors

Portfolio

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Fix My Prayer Life: A 21-Day Devotional Journey

Jones, R. Timothy

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
My Miscarriage: And Other Uninvited Events

McCombs, Traci

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Losing Faith Finding Hope

Cruz, Jesse A

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Broken Stained Redeemed

Warner Heidrick, Karen

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Hint of Copper

Burt, Steven R

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
The Great Divide

Grace, Stephen

Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading

Courtney has 29 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Monika W.

Monika W.

Jan, 2024

Courtney has edited two books for me now. She was extremely helpful both times and went above and beyond to ensure my book was ready to publish. I recommend her work to anyone and would not hesitate to reach out to her again on future projects.
Jacob P.

Jacob P.

Oct, 2023

I've had the privilege of working with Courtney multiple times now. She has always been extremely helpful. I'm thankful for her keen eye for correcting mistakes that I would have never caught. She also is always responsive and timely. Thank you Courtney for helping me create a great finished work.
Adriane M.

Adriane M.

Oct, 2023

Words cannot express how much I appreciate Courtney for her professionalism, patience, and kindness! This is my first non-fiction book. This story means a lot to me, because it's about my family, and it brings about a lot of emotions as it’s a story about tragedy to triumph! She continued to reach out to encourage me throughout the process. I have already referred her services because of her ...
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Courtney O.
Thank you so much for your recommendation, Adriane! I hope your book reaches many people who need the encouragement and healing you've experienced through telling your grandmother's moving story.
Jeremy H.

Jeremy H.

Sep, 2023

Courtney is a true pro with editing and proofing. My manuscript needed a great deal of work, and Courtney was a meticulous editor from a grammatical and formatting perspective - as well as calling out various elements within the writing that didn't work creatively. The manuscript has moved forward significantly under her watch, and I am confident I can submit her proofed version to agents. I p...
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Courtney O.
Thank you, Jeremy. The opportunity to edit manuscripts like yours makes work feel more like an indulgence than an obligation. I'd work with you again in a heartbeat. I hope you find an agent who re...
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Gary O.

Gary O.

May, 2023

Courtney is very professional and thorough. She has made me realize how important it is to use a professional editor for my manuscript. She has made my book look and read much more professional. I will use her again on my next book.
Courtney O.
Thank you, Gary! It was a pleasure to work with you and I would absolutely welcome the opportunity to do so again.

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