Crystal Velasquez

Crystal Velasquez – Editor

As an editor, proofreader, copy editor, and writer with nearly 25 years of experience, I can help make your book the best it can be.

Overview

While I began my career as a production editor for Tor Books and Penguin Random House, for the past five years I have been an editor for a book packager specializing in children's books. I am also a freelance proofreader and copy editor for major publishers, working on everything from romance and mysteries to cookbooks and business titles. Some notable books I've worked on include The Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell, More Myself by Alicia Keyes, Facing the Sun by Janice Lynn Mather, A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata, and many, many more. In addition, I am a published author, having written several books for middle grade or younger readers, the most recent being four American Girl chapter books, the Hunters of Chaos series, and Just Princesses, a graphic novel in which Princess Katrina and her friends go on a quest to save the world after her evil stepmother casts a spell that backfires and gets rid of all the adults in the kingdom. (Don't you hate it when that happens?) As a writer myself, I know how scary it can be to turn your work over to someone else and hope they don't tear it apart. I can guarantee that I'll be gentle yet honest. I'll help you fix structure problems, awkward syntax, plot holes, and typos--all while retaining your voice and style. We'll work together to whip your manuscript into shape without ever having to step foot in the gym! My hope is that you'll be proud of the final result. Let's get started!
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Fantasy Literary Fiction Middle Grade Mystery & Crime Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Children’s Non-Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • Book and Magazine Publishing (Summer Publishing Institute, NYU, 1997)

Work experience

Working Partners Ltd.

Jun, 2015 — Present
Work with a team of editors to brainstorm ideas for new middle grade and young adult titles, create outlines, hire authors, line edit manuscripts, and pitch projects to major publishers.

Self-employed

Jun, 2000 — Jun, 2015 (about 15 years)
Produced approximately 60 fiction and nonfiction titles per year, including hardcovers, trade paperbacks, mass markets, and eBook originals, overseeing the process from original manuscript to final bound book. Supervised a list of freelance proofreaders, copy editors, and indexers; copyedited cover copy, teasers, and reader's guides; structure tagged design manuscripts; and updated Filemaker database.

Professionals similar to Crystal

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Laura Silverman

Laura S.

Editor and published author (Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster) with over a decade of experience. Expert in novel and query edits.

Denver, CO, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Alex Hammond

Alex H.

Publishing professional, editor and writing lecturer with 15 years experience, offering manuscript reviews, submission advice and mentoring.

Norwich, UK

90% reply rate

View profile
Erin McClary

Erin M.

Developmental and line-level editor of adult fiction and nonfiction for 5+ years. Former acquiring editor at Sourcebooks.

Appleton, WI, USA

100% reply rate

View profile