George De Stefano

George De Stefano – Editor

Expert word mechanic who can make any piece of writing flow better. Copy, line, and substantive editing of nonfiction trade/academic books.

Overview

If you’ve searched the internet for an editor, you know there are countless numbers of us out there advertising our services. There’s no shortage of editing talent for a writer to choose from.


So why hire me?


I have 30+ years of editing (and writing) experience, having worked with experienced and well-known authors (rock musicians, historians, social scientists, literary critics, constitutional law experts, media critics, and other nonfiction writers) for major trade and academic publishers, including Cambridge University Press, Hachette, Palgrave Macmillan, The Nation Books, Monthly Review Press, and Perseus.


I also work with first-time authors who have great ideas and compelling stories but need a knowledgeable and supportive editor to turn their manuscripts into publishable books. I have a track record of success in my clients' manuscripts being sold to trade and academic publishers.


My services include copy editing (spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, usage), line editing (language and paragraph-by-paragraph organization of content, and rewriting), and substantive editing (structural work, including rewriting, on an existing manuscript or development of a new one).


I also provide manuscript evaluation services, as the first step in a substantive edit.


My subject matter expertise is broad, encompassing social science, the humanities, popular culture, social and political issues, health, and public health. I do not, however, edit politically conservative material. If your prospective book title is "How Woke-ism is Killing America," I'm not the editor for you. I also don't edit "faith-based" books. But if you're a secularist, agnostic, or atheist whose book is a critique of religion or of religion in politics, let's talk.


I am not intimidated by technical material, and I am used to working with authors whose first language is not English.


During the editing process, I regularly check in with my authors to share edits and communicate about any issues that need attention.


Nonfiction Genres:

* Social/political issues

* Arts and popular culture

* History

* Sociology

* Memoir

*Biography

* LGBT

*Health and public health

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment Humanities & Social Sciences LGBTQ Non-Fiction Music Political Science & Current Affairs
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Certificate in Editing, Poynter News University/American Copy Editors Society
  • American Copy Editors Society
  • National Association of Independent Writers and Editors

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2013 — Present

Need an experienced and affordable editor for your books, book proposals, articles (academic and journalistic), web content, corporate communications, or other writing projects? I have more than 25 years of experience in media and journalism, academic publishing, corporate communications, and public and private agencies. I have edited nonfiction books for major trade and academic publishers, including Cambridge University Press, Palgrave Macmillan, and Perseus.

​As a senior editor with the New York City Health Department, I edited and wrote publications for the public, health care professionals, and other audiences: scientific and progress reports, brochures, guides, fact sheets, and manuals. The publications provided vital information to literally millions, in New York and beyond.

I work with many style guides -- Chicago, MLA, AP, New York Times, as well as UK (Butcher's/Cambridge). I edit and proofread using Microsoft's "track changes" function and Adobe Acrobat's editing tools.

My expertise includes working with writers who are not native English-speakers. I will ensure that language presents no barriers to getting your book, article, or other writing projects published.

I have a Certificate in Editing from Poynter News University/American Copy Editors Society.

I also am a published nonfiction author, so I will be sensitive to your style and tone, helping you to say what you want to say as effectively as possible.

Get in touch so we can discuss your needs and how we can work together.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Beyond Plague Urbanism

Merrifield, Andy

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
"The first childhood memory I have of my father is linked to the destruction of empires--the collapse of a world order that had once seemed eternal."So begins Avraham Burg's authoritative and ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Modern History of Iraq is a remarkably readable account of contemporary Iraq, placing in historical perspective the crises and upheavals that continue to afflict the country. This text wea... read more
Copy Editing
The book discusses the pioneering contributions of Ralph Turner to the field of forensic science. He was a founder of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the leading professional organi... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
If you thought the only way for you to return home safe was to embody the vilest evil, would you do it? We've always viewed veterans as patriots who defended our nation and destroyed worldwide... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
An award-winning author takes us on a journey to the center of the information war, where unseen armies and authoritarians seek to define and reshape the truth.Perhaps the most important globa... read more
Copy Editing
Memoir by the cofounder and former lead guitarist of heavy metal giants Judas PriestJudas Priest formed in the industrial city of Birmingham, England, in 1969. With its distinctive twin-guitar... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Disasters can strike often and with unexpected fury, resulting in devastating consequences for local populations that are insufficiently prepared and largely dependent upon foreign aid in the ... read more
Copy Editing
William Blake (1757‒1827) is one of the most original and influential figures of the Romantic Age, known for his work as an artist, poet and printmaker. Grounding his ideas both in close readi... read more
Copy Editing
This book explores the diversity of restructuring instruments applied to financial institutions in EU countries during the Global Financial Crisis.
Copy Editing
The U.S. Supreme Court seeks to withhold information about its deliberations, while the press's job is to report and disseminate this information. These two objectives conflict and create tens... read more
Copy Editing
The study of the Constitution and constitutional law is of fundamental importance to understanding the principles, prospects, and problems of America. American Constitutional Law, Volume II pr... read more
Copy Editing
American Constitutional Law, Volume I provides a comprehensive account of the nation's defining document, examining how its provisions were originally understood by those who drafted and ratif... read more
Copy Editing
For over thirty years, Latin American Politics and Development has kept instructors and students abreast of current affairs and changes in Latin America. Now in its ninth edition, this definit... read more
Copy Editing
Can We All Get Along Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics
Copy Editing

George has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Rashad S.

Rashad S.

Nov, 2023

George was wonderful! He made meaningful and substantive contributions to my manuscript. I'll be working with him in the future.
George D.
Thank you, Rashad, for this wonderful review. It was great working with you --please keep me updated on the book. And I look forward to working with you again. all the best, George De Stefano
Mark B.

Mark B.

May, 2022

George is quite knowledgable, and provided solid line edits. There were several that were missed, and just a few edits I didn't agree with, since the context supported my original choice. But, in general he was helpful and added more efficiency to the writing.
George D.
Hi Mark I enjoyed working on this project. I think you now have a solid and marketable manuscript. However, I'm not sure what you mean when you say there were several line edits "that were missed."...
Read more
Michael R.

Michael R.

Aug, 2020

Since this was my first book, and since all of my prior writing experience was either as an academic or an attorney, I was pretty unfamiliar the process. George was able to nurse me through it. In the beginning, I was unsure how much I could trust George's judgment. But as the process went on, I learned that I could trust George and rely on him and even disagree with him. It was a very good, co...
Read more
George D.
Thanks so much, Michael! What you’ve described about our working together pretty much captures the nature of the author/editor relationship. Editors might challenge authors, authors might disagree,...
Read more
John T.

John T.

Jul, 2019

George provided excellent insights on the overall project which I would not have found on my own. He also provided suggestions that were very useful. He communicated very well and met the deadlines we set for the work. He respected my desires in terms of tone and retention of original intent. The finished edit is exponentially better suited now for publishing to a wider market than the orig...
Read more
John T.

John T.

May, 2018

George is a thorough professional. I had him do an editorial assessment and some sample editing. His work came back on time and the value he provided far exceeded the monetary cost. He helped me to see the potential for the manuscript. I will certainly look to him again for his talents in future projects.

Professionals similar to George

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

Hugh Barker

Hugh B.

I'm an enthusiastic, honest writer/editor/publisher with decades of experience. I love editing all kinds of non-fiction, fiction and memoir.

London, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Cassandra Rigg

Cassandra R.

Editor with 20 years' experience of proof reading and copy editing. Versatile, accurate and punctual. Formerly Simon and Schuster UK.

Buckingham, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Barbara Curialle

Barbara C.

Freelance editor living, working, playing piano, and running in the New York City area.

New York, NY, USA

96% reply rate

View profile