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

Seriously Shifted (Seriously Wicked)

Tina Connolly

Tina Connolly's Seriously Shifted is a sparkling new adventure about teen witch Camellia and her mother, wicked witch Sarmine, introduced to readers in Seriously Wicked.Teenage witch Cam isn’t crazy about the idea of learning magic. She’d rather be no witch th... read more
The Devil's Cold Dish: A Mystery (Will Rees Mysteries)

Eleanor Kuhns

Will Rees is back home on his farm in 1796 Maine with his teenage son, his pregnant wife, their five adopted children, and endless farm work under the blistering summer sun. But for all that, Rees is happy to have returned to Dugard, Maine, the town where he w... read more
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.”—from Wild by Nature Not since Cheryl Strayed gifted us with her advent... read more
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 everywhere - and everywhere in Iraq, no matter what their job descrip... read more
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 gripping account raises questions for healers, survivors, and reade... read more
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 63 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Linda B.

Linda B.

Mar, 2025

Working with Deirdre was such a great experience! She was professional and efficient and made the whole process so easy. Deirdre's sharp attention to detail gave me confidence that everything was polished and ready to go. I appreciated her thoughtful approach and how she respected my writing sty...
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Tracy C.

Tracy C.

Mar, 2025

Deirdre did a fabulous job for me copy editing and proofreading my mystery! Her suggestions were extremely insightful and helpful and she was even finished with the project slightly ahead of schedule. I found Deirdre to be friendly, highly proficient, and very organized. I would definitely recomm...
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Joseph A.

Joseph A.

Mar, 2025

Deirdre is great to work with. Her competence and professionalism are first rate. Thank you Deirdre for your invaluable assistance! I will not hesitate to call on you again for my next project.
Sara C.

Sara C.

Feb, 2025

Ms. Stoelzle was immediately responsive, very professional, and and the editing she did was exactly what I needed. In addition, there was a warmth which I had not expected-- she went beyond what she had contracted to do, to offer advice and insider hints for which she was not getting paid. If I n...
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Mike C.

Mike C.

Dec, 2024

This is the third book in my Frontier series, and Deirdre has edited them all. If she is willing, she will be my go-to editor on all future books. Her editing is spot-on, and her suggestions are always timely, well-considered, and perfect for elevating my writing to a higher level. Deirdre is wel...
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