Deborah Sosin

Deborah Sosin – Editor

40+ years' experience in nonfiction, memoir, self-help, kid lit. Known for speed, accuracy, versatility, and compassion. MSW & MFA.

Overview

SPRING 2026 UPDATE: Available for copyediting and proofreading, some editorial assessments. Currently unavailable for developmental editing.

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As a self-employed freelancer for several decades, I specialize in short- and long-form creative nonfiction, self-help and psychology titles, memoir, mindfulness and spirituality titles, and picture books. Because of my unusual combination of clinical and editorial expertise, I have developed a stellar reputation as a consultant and editor for self-help and nonfiction authors.

I’ve helped novice and veteran writers improve their work and get published through careful attention to macro issues such as structure, flow, audience, voice, and purpose; as well as micro issues such as grammar, punctuation, and redundancy. I view my role as a collaborator, coach, and cheerleader.

As an award-winning picture-book author, I also consult with prospective or active children’s-lit writers who want help with project concepts, manuscript editing, and/or industry information. In addition, I offer personal coaching to help writers understand and work through writer’s block and other inner obstacles to creativity.

I am also an author, essayist, GrubStreet (Boston) instructor, and part-time psychotherapist. My clients have praised me over the years for being warm and approachable as well as exceptionally detail-oriented and perceptive about the big picture.

My own publishing credentials include a memoir, Escape Velocity: 70 Micro-Memoirs, 70 Words Each, with illustrations by Anna Hall; and a mindfulness-themed picture book, Charlotte and the Quiet Place (Parallax Press, 2015), illustrated by Sara Woolley, which won the Gold INDIEFAB Medal and the Silver IPPY Award, among several honors. A self-help workbook titled Sober Starting Today: Powerful Mindfulness and CBT Tools to Help You Break Free from Addiction was published by New Harbinger Publications in 2024. My essays have appeared in The New York Times, Salon, Cognoscenti, Boston Globe Magazine, Brevity Blog, Oldster Magazine, Short Reads, Journal News, The Writer's Chronicle, Writer's Digest, The Manifest-Station, Zone 3, two anthologies, and elsewhere. A scholarly paper on adolescent diary writing appeared in Adolescent Psychiatry.

I am highly selective about the projects I bid on because I give each project the personalized care and attention it deserves. As a result, I charge premium rates. I'm told that the investment is well worth it to receive premium services. I look forward to hearing from you!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Career Guides Children’s Non-Fiction Psychology Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 1990 — Present
See overview above for the range of genres I specialize in. In the 1990s, I was a production editor in the School Reading Department at Houghton Mifflin; manager of the Copyediting and Proofreading Department at Publicom, Inc.; and freelance proofreader in the trade division of Houghton Mifflin.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Rostam's Picture-Day Pusteen

Tahmaseb, Ryan Bani

Charlesbridge

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
The Many Faces of Polyamory

Fosse, Magdalena J.

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
The PTSD Workbook

Tijana Mandic, Ph.D.

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Hope's Crossing

Goodman, Joan Elizabeth

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Dog and Rabbit

Saltzberg, Barney

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Ten Beautiful Things

Griffin, Molly

Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Magical Mindful Day

Deborah Salazar Shapiro

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing

Deborah has 43 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Tricia S.

Tricia S.

Dec, 2023

Pinned
This is my second experience with Debbie, and I couldn't be happier. She is someone I can count on to tell me the truth and guide me to a better outcome. I would never hesitate to work with her time and time again. Thank you, Debbie, for everything!
Deborah S.
Thanks so much for this lovely review, Tricia! For me, it's all about collaboration--your attention to detail and passion about your project made the work fun and interesting. Best of luck and kee...
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kate J.

kate J.

May, 2026

I hired Debbie to edit a deeply personal manuscript- a book of reflections written, in part, for my daughters and shaped by some of the hardest seasons of my life. From our first conversation, she made it clear she understood not just what the book was about, but what it was for. That understandi...
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Deborah S.
Thanks so much for this lovely review, Kate! It was a joy to collaborate on this special project (and I learned a lot). I wish you all the best with next steps. Hope to see the book in my favorite ...
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Stephanie K.

Stephanie K.

Apr, 2026

Was a pleasure working with Debbie, her insight and suggestions were very helpful! would work with her again!!
Deborah S.
Thanks for your kind words, Stephanie. I'm so glad you found my work helpful. I'm excited for you to get this book out in the world now as I'm sure your readers will appreciate your expertise! Best...
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eugene L.

eugene L.

Apr, 2026

amazing work
Deborah S.
Thank you so much, Eugene. I'm so glad it all worked out. I can't wait to see your book in print. It deserves wide distribution! All best, Debbie
Brendan M.

Brendan M.

Jan, 2026

Exceptional Proofreading - Professional and Thorough Deborah's proofreading work on my book was outstanding. She caught errors I'd completely missed after multiple rounds of editing, and her attention to detail with British punctuation conversion was exactly what my manuscript needed. Her Track C...
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Deborah S.
Thank you so much for this glowing review, Brendan! I'm touched. It was truly a pleasure to collaborate with you on this book. I look forward to seeing it in print and hope it reaches a huge audience!

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