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

Made with Reedsy
America's Last President: What the World Lost When It Lost John F. Kennedy

Wiesak, Monika

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

Jones, R. Timothy

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
It Doesn't Start with a Punch: My Journey through an Abusive Teen Dating Relationship

Said, Dee Dee

Copy Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Uncle Charlie Killed Dutch Schultz: The Jewish Mob: A Family Affair

Geik, Alan

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
Made with Reedsy
Tales from the Trenches: Teaching on the Middle School Battlefield

Higdon, Michelle

Copy Editing Proofreading
Gold: Firsthand Accounts From The Rush That Made The West

Stephens, John Richard

Proofreading
Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Pennsylvania (Crime Buff's Guides)

Franscell, Ron

Proofreading
It Happened in the Old West: Remarkable Events that Shaped History (It Happened in the West)

Turner, Erin H.

Proofreading
Heart of the Trail: Stories of Covered Wagon Women

O'Brien, Mary Barmeyer

Proofreading
The World of Doc Holliday: History and Historic Images

Wilcox, Victoria

Copy Editing Proofreading
The Bad Old Days of Colorado: Untold Stories of the Wild West

Samuelson-Brown, Randi

Proofreading
Please, General Custer, I Don't Want to Go: True Tales of the Old West

Estlack, Russell W.

Copy Editing Proofreading
Growing Up with the Wild Bunch: The Story of Pioneer Legend Josie Bassett

Wommack, Linda

Proofreading
Tom Jeffords: Friend of Cochise

Hocking, Doug

Proofreading
On the Fringes of Power: The Life and Turbulent Career of Stephen Wallace Dorsey

Grana, Mari

Proofreading
Mochi's War: The Tragedy of Sand Creek

Enss, Chris

Proofreading
Fifty-Six Counties: A Montana Journey

Russell Rowland

Copy Editing Proofreading
The Great Divide

Grace, Stephen

Proofreading
Wild West Women: Fifty Lives That Shaped the Frontier

Turner, Erin H.

Proofreading
The Pinks: The First Women Detectives, Operatives, and Spies with the Pinkerton National Detective Agency

Enss, Chris

Proofreading
The Cowboy and the Senorita: A Biography of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans

Enss, Chris

Proofreading
The Cowboy President: The American West and the Making of Theodore Roosevelt

Blake, Michael F.

Proofreading
The Lost Canyon of Gold: The Discovery of the Legendary Lost Adams Diggings

Jameson, W.C.

Proofreading
The Stories of Yellowstone: Adventure Tales from the World's First National Park

M. Mark Miller

Proofreading
The Trials of Annie Oakley

Kazanjian, Howard

Proofreading
New England Notebook: One Reporter, Six States, Uncommon Stories

Reinstein, Ted

Proofreading
Search and Rescue: A Wilderness Doctor's Life-and-Death Tales of Risk and Reward

Van Tilburg, Christopher

Proofreading
Never Don't Pay Attention: The Life of Rodeo Photographer Louise L. Serpa

Cleere, Jan

Proofreading

Courtney has 30 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ted D.

Ted D.

Feb, 2023

Pinned
Courtney is simply an outstanding editor. Very thorough and complete editing with clear explanations. The value, communication, professionalism and quality far exceeded my expectations. I will absolutely use Courtney for future editing needs and HIGHLY recommend to any authors looking for a solid editor.
Courtney O.
Thank you so much, Ted! I really enjoyed working with you and look forward to seeing your fascinating book in print.
Robert J. (Bob) R.

Robert J. (Bob) R.

Aug, 2022

Pinned
Courtney did an exceptional job. Her communication regarding my expectations as well as deliverables and deadlines was top-notch, she asked excellent questions to ensure her editing work stayed true to my voice, and she completed her work ahead of schedule. Would 100% collaborate with her again.
Courtney O.
Thank you, Bob! I enjoyed working with you and getting the opportunity to read a truly fascinating, well written book.
Eric R.

Eric R.

Jul, 2021

Pinned
This is the fifth project I have worked on with Courtney, which on its own should say enough, but if you need more here goes; Outstanding level of professional service. What I love about Courtney is she takes the time to get a clear picture of the project and the expectations and then delivers. It is clear from the comments and suggestions that Courtney read the manuscript several times and did...
Read more
Courtney O.
Thank you, Eric! That was another incredible book, and it's always a pleasure to work with you.
Monika W.

Monika W.

Jul, 2024

I've worked with Courtney on a few books now. She's always been great. She's quick to respond with good feedback and improvements to my manuscript. She's good at finding not just technical errors but also areas where my train of thought is not clearly communicated. Would not hesitate to work with her again!
Courtney O.
Thank you, Monika! It’s always a pleasure to work with you, as well. You’re an excellent writer and you’re obviously not afraid to put in the hard work and long hours of in-depth research to produc...
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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.

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