Deirdre Stoelzle

Deirdre Stoelzle – Editor

Trusted. Tested. True to you. I'll help you take your book from first draft to press-ready!

Overview

I'm an eagle-eyed copyeditor and editorial copywriter with 30-plus years of experience working with writers at all levels and in all genres. Whether you need help with your outline, research and fact-checking, editing or just a pep talk, I'm here and happy to help. I have worked with authors at large publishing houses such as Macmillan (Minotaur and Thomas Dunne Imprints) all the way through to independent self-publishing authors.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Cultural & Ethnic Horror Mystery & Crime Short Story
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Humanities & Social Sciences Travel
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • PASS Award, 2000, National Council on Crime and Delinquency
  • Media Award, 1999, Wyoming Attorney General's Office
  • Pacemaker Awards 1994-2006, Wyoming Press Association
  • Dart Center Fellowship in Trauma Journalism, 1999

Work experience

The Ochberg Society for Trauma Journalism (Formerly Dart Society)

Apr, 2005 — Dec, 2014 (over 9 years)
Nonprofit director, fundraising, web design and management, video production, marketing, accounting, editing of online magazine, content for blog, etc.

Casper Star-Tribune

Apr, 1992 — Dec, 2004 (over 12 years)
Award-winning crime and social-issues reporter; columnist; editor.

Self-employed

Jan, 1992 — Present
Freelance editorial assistance to writers on demand.

Portfolio

Murder on Skis

Bayly, Phil

Shires Press

Copy Editing
Sick as a Dog (A Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery Book 3)

Carter, Tracy

BookBaby

No. 9 Tahrir Square: My Years in Egypt

Arar, Joseph

Copy Editing
Follow That Star: A Saddle Hill Christmas Mystery (Saddle Hill Christmas Mysteries Book 1)

Lanter, Erin

Sea Oats Press

Copy Editing
Can You Hear the Music?: My Journey Through Madness

Jeffers, Ann E.

Mad Engineer Press LLC

Copy Editing
Frontier Justice: A Coogan Mystery (Frontier Series Book 1)

Cardwell, Michael

Copy Editing
Wild by Nature: From Siberia to Australia, Three Years Alone in the Wilderness on Foot

Sarah Marquis

One woman 10,000 miles on foot 6 countries 8 pairs of hiking boots 3,000 cups of tea 1,000 days and nights "The only way to survive three years of walking was to embrace the moment of now.”—fr... read more
Copy Editing
Things I Can't Explain: A Clarissa Novel

Mitchell Kriegman

A complete re-imagining of the 1990s television hit Clarissa Explains it All as 20-something Clarissa tries to navigate the unemployment line, mompreneurs and the collision of two people in love.She was a smart, snappy, light-hearted girl who knew it all at fo... read more
The Last Dawn: A Mystery

Joe Gannon

It is time to die…1989. It’s been three years since Captain Ajax Montoya cleared the smoke and blood from his last case—and what a three years. The old world order is coming down along with the Berlin Wall, and the Soviet “Evil Empire” is being born to the ash... read more
Fly By Night: A Novel

Andrea Thalasinos

On the same day Greek American marine biologist Amelia Drakos receives word that funding for her beloved Seahorse Laboratory has been cut, she discovers that her deceased father had lived a secret life.With foreclosure and unemployment looming, as well as the ... read more
Band of Sisters: American Women at War in Iraq

Kirsten Holmstedt

Now available in paperbackWinner of the 2007 American Authors Association Golden Quill AwardWinner of the 2007 Military Writers Society of America Founder's AwardIn Iraq, the front lines are e... read more
Developmental Editing
Deadlands: Ghostwalkers

Jonathan Maberry

From New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry, the first in a thrilling series of novels based on Deadlands, a hugely successful role-playing game (RPG) set in the Weird, Weird West.Welcome to the Deadlands, where steely-eyed gunfighters rub shoulder... read more
Wounded I Am More Awake: Finding Meaning after Terror

Julia Lieblich

Wounded I Am More Awake follows the story of Esad Boskailo, a doctor who survives six concentration camps in Bosnia and emerges with powerful new lessons for healing in an age of genocide.This... read more
Developmental Editing
The Next Africa: An Emerging Continent Becomes a Global Powerhouse

Jake Bright

The Next Africa, an Axiom Best Business Book Award winner, will change the way people think about the continent. The old narrative of an Africa disconnected from the global economy, depicted by conflict or corruption, and heavily dependent on outside donors is... read more
Leaning into the Wind: Women Write from the Heart of the West

Linda M. Hasselstrom

In the true stories, essays, and poems of Leaning into the Wind we meet the real women of the High Plains today. Included are reflections on cowboys, tractor-driving lessons, outhouses, ranch marriages, and family legacies.

Deirdre has 75 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Robert G.

Robert G.

Nov, 2025

Fantastic editor and very helpful with suggestions etc..Thanks again Deirdre for an excellent job and well done!! Rgabe
Mike C.

Mike C.

Nov, 2025

Working with Deirdre was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. She brings a rare combination of precision, insight, and genuine care to the editing process. Her attention to detail is exceptional, and her feedback strengthened my manuscript on every level—clarity, voice, consistency, pacing,...
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Ataul K. O.

Ataul K. O.

Oct, 2025

Deirdre is someone I can trust to give me the kind of feedback that every writer needs. She's sees my blind spots and takes on my projects as if they were her own.
Ataul K. O.

Ataul K. O.

Oct, 2025

Once again, Deirdre has delivered with timely, effective editing. It's a good feeling to have someone who is as invested in the project as I am. Looking forward to our next collab.
Joseph E.

Joseph E.

Sep, 2025

Deirdre is a consummate professional and a first class editor. This is my first book and I needed some direction. She finished ahead of schedule and remains in contact with me in case I need help. She had the patience to help me navigate the process of publishing a book. Nothing but a positive ex...
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Most recent contributions

How do you maintain an author's voice while editing nonfiction?

There’s a saying—“You can be an editor or you can have friends.” First off, do the basic scope out: Two spaces after every sentence? Consistently? But mostly clean writing with subject-verb agreement? Copyediting magic involves polishing and appreciation of the amazing work of writing a book. Be ...
Read more

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