Dori Harrell

Dori Harrell – Editor

Full-time editor and author coach, specializing in memoirs, nonfiction and fiction, esp. Christian contemporary and historical

Overview

2025 Awards

Four books and two short stories finaled in the Selah Awards (announced March 2025)! Congrats to Cherie Denna (memoir, coach and devo editor—Beloved Outcast); Karen Moderow (Bible studies, line editor—Job and Psalms); Cindy Sproles (novel, line editor—Coal Black Lies); and Sam Blumenthal (short stories, line editor).


2024 Awards

Christy Award—Star of Wonder (line editor). Congrats to Crystal Caudill!


Caleb Award—Heart in the Clouds (devo and line editor). Congrats to Jennifer Mistmorgan!


Book of the Year, Christian Market Book Awards—Beloved Outcast (coach, devo, line editor). Congrats to Cherie Denna!


Regal Summit Book Award—Every Night Has a Dawn (Reedsy book, author coach, devo, line editor). Congrats to Rachel Valencourt.


Two Rivers—Gold, Christian Book Awards (devo, line editor)—congrats to Mike Henry!


2023 Award Winners

Carol Awards

The Songs That Could Have Been (Congrats to Amanda Wen!)


Christy Awards

When Stone Wings Fly (Congrats to Karen Barnett!)


Selah Awards:

The Songs That Could Have Been (Congrats to Amanda Wen!)

Circle of Vengeance (Congrats to Ramona Richards!)


Firebird Book Awards:

Follow Me, Friend (Congrats to Cheryl Eriksen!) Follow Me, Friend also won the Writer's Digest 2022 Self-Published Book Awards. Go Cheryl!


Every year I have multiple authors on the major awards list!


Book editing is the most glamorous career in the world! (And eating red licorice while editing is even better ...) I edit full time for traditional publishers—including Kregel Publications and Our Daily Bread—and indie authors, and I served as managing editor of a Christian hybrid press for nearly five years, in which I oversaw a team of thirty-plus editors and typesetters. With more than 400 titles under my belt, I offer coaching, developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting. My authors, including independent ones, final in the major awards, and several books have gone on to win awards and/or become USA Today and Amazon bestsellers. A multiple-award-winning writer with more than a thousand published articles, I speak at writers' and editors' conferences nationwide. I also preview manuscripts for Kregel, plus I serve on the board of the Northwest Christian Writers Association, through which I offer multiple workshops.


I'm a hands-on editor, and my developmental edits cover the main elements of fiction (character, plot, pacing, structure, POV, theme, and voice) and anything else worth noting, and will have comments throughout the margin. With nonfiction, I cover author's message, author's goals, pacing, voice, and structure and format. With line editing and copyediting, I not only catch typos and other errors, but I apply the industry style guides (Chicago Manual of Style) so that your book reads as smoothly as any on a bookstore shelf. I take on a small number of new clients every year, and I'm particularly interested in working with authors who've studied their craft.


I graduated from the University of Washington with a double major in journalism and political science, and I'm a huge Seahawks fan—go Hawks! I look forward to chatting with you about your baby!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Christian Non-Fiction
Fiction
Christian Fiction Cozy Mysteries Fantasy Historical Fiction Humor & Comedy
Languages
English English (US)
Awards
  • Distinguished Enterprise Reporting, Second Place
  • Excellence in Journalism, First Place, Government and Politics, Inland Northwest
  • Excellence in Journalism, Third Place, Government Reporting, Pacific Northwest
  • Excellence in Journalism, Lifestyles Writing, Honorable Mention
  • Excellence in Editing for Occasional Moments of Happiness (memoir), 2021

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2010 — Present
I provide freelance editing services to publishers and authors. I offer content editing (with detailed editorial letters), line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. I'm an all-around editor—sees the big picture yet am extremely detail oriented.

Our Daily Bread

Oct, 2022 — Present
I typically provide line edits and deep comprehensive edits on Christian nonfiction devotionals and Christian living.

Kregel

Feb, 2019 — Present
Love project editing for Kregel! I provide thorough Developmental and line edits to help smooth out the story and flow, while delivering a full copyedit at the same time for line edits—I consider it my job to make the proofreader's job as easy as possible! Project editing includes setting up a detailed style sheet; a character sheet; and tracking the timeline, plot, character growth, and setting with a chapter-by-chapter synopsis.

Redemption Press

May, 2018 — Feb, 2023 (almost 5 years)
Managing editor was an exciting role! I matched authors with top-notch editors who were great fits for the MSS; internally reviewed all edits for quality control; mentored editors and authors; worked closely with authors and editors to usher MSS through the editing process; author coached, content coached, line edited, copyedited, and proofread, adhering closely to The Chicago Manual of Style and The Christian Writers Manual of Style.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Father, Son, and Soldering Gun: Stories That Forge Us

Mycynek, Steven Victor

Dackel Books

Book Coaching
Made with Reedsy
Anything (Mayberry University Series)

Welch, Kristina

Kristina Welch

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Money Is an Energy Game

Margaret M. Donahue

What’s the bottom line for attracting money? It’s ENERGY Energy is at the heart of everything that occurs, including your wealth. This book will teach you the ins and outs of how energy influe... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Simple Steps to Recharge Your Prayer LifeYour prayer life must be marked by a tremendous level of expectancy. Don't sell yourself short and buy into the lie of the enemy that says that you wil... read more
Copy Editing
A corrupt regime. Rapidly vanishing freedom. Will one determined teen take up his father’s cross to oppose tyranny?Sixteen-year-old Braxton Luther resents taking a back seat to his dad’s minis... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
She wants her home. He wants control. The Fascist regime wants both. 1920, former Austrian Tyrol. Katharina Thaler faces becoming the first woman to ever own a farm in the Reschen Valley. The ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
A secret identity. A haunting mistake. A people at war. Three souls thirst for the peace of freedom's kiss.Florida, 1816Propelled by a fleeting hope of freedom, Winnie and her family escape sl... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
SELAH AWARD WINNERHe’s looking for fortune. She’s looking for fame. Together, they find an adventure that spans centuries—and a love story for the ages. Spain, 1689The same evil that stole her... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
A feud reminiscent of the Hatfields and McCoys, a love story worthy of Romeo and Juliet.Despite growing up on the Pleasant Valley Ranch, single mom Cat McKenna doesn’t know a thing about cattl... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Planned from the Start: A Healing Devotional by Lorraine Marie Varela accompanies the major theatrical release Unplanned, the story of Abby Johnson’s journey through Planned Parenthood and how... read more
Copy Editing Book Coaching
From #1 Amazon, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Gemma Halliday comes female PI Jamie Bond and a case of murder most hilarious... Her name is Bond. Jamie Bond. And danger follows ... read more
Copy Editing
From Award Winning Author, E.J. Mellow, comes the heart-thumping second installment in The Dreamland Series.Molly finally uncovers the truth about the strange dreams that plagued her sanity fo... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
***Now in development for a TV series!***Publishers Weekly Bestselling author and Kindle Unlimited All Star, Christy Barritt, brings readers a fun new series that will have fans trying to solv... read more
Proofreading
Why run from your troubles when you can fly instead? When Caity Shaw is fired from her first job that doesn’t require an elf uniform, her older sister, Rachel, an event planner, hires her to w... read more
Copy Editing
Abused as a child, traumatized by legalistic religion as a young adult, and embraced by the gay community after her divorce, author Cari Gintz traces her journey into the light of God’s miracu... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Have you ever wondered who those people are? You know who I'm talking about-those people mentioned in just a few words, or maybe a paragraph or two in God's Word; those people who appear and d... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
"Powerful novel of healing and hope." --Carrie Booth Schmidt, ReadingIsMySuperPower.orgThe dark places in life have taught her this much—some things simply cannot be forgiven.Cheryl Thompson l... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Afraid of the Light

Cynthia Ruchti

She helps others manage their desperate lives--but who will help her?Clinical psychologist Camille Brooks isn’t put off by the lifestyle of her hoarding clients. After all, she lost her mother... read more
Copy Editing
*This is a romantic comedy with a Christian worldview.Allegra Spencer has been living a careful life. Her safe job as an accountant is bookended by going to church and the gym. Okay, sometimes... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
He's doing what he can to save the Prince Regent's life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero--he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the futu... read more
Copy Editing
From #1 Amazon & New York Times bestselling author Gemma Halliday and USA Today bestselling author Kelly Rey comes a modern, female driven new take on the legend of Sherlock Holmes...Martha "M... read more
Copy Editing
In her memoir Unmothered, popular blogger and speaker Phylis Mantelli takes the reader on her roller-coaster journey of life with her alcoholic and narcissistic mother.Phylis and her two sibli... read more
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
The Dreamer has been awarded a SILVER FOR BEST FANTASY/SCI-FI from the eLit Book Awards and a FINALIST MEDAL FOR BEST COVER DESIGN from The Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Molly hasn’t slep... read more
Copy Editing

Dori has 26 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Daniel T.

Daniel T.

Dec, 2023

Pinned
What an amazing experience having Dori as my developmental editor and coach. All of my concerns as a new author were quickly put to rest as she guided me through the process. I have absolute faith and trust in her professional abilities and would highly recommend her to anyone. She has a true pas...
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Matt C.

Matt C.

Jan, 2025

Dori is professional, knowledgeable, and brings a mix of scientific precision and artistic craft to her work. On top of all that, she a just a great person to work with.
Tracy S.

Tracy S.

Sep, 2024

She was a rare find - someone who exceeded all expectations. Dori's reputation and experience in literary work led me to choose her, and I was not disappointed. As a struggling writer, I always appreciate those who will share their knowledge and expertise. It is through their guidance that we bec...
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Stacey S.

Stacey S.

Aug, 2024

It was very good to work with Dori. She got the heart of my story and contributed much valuable guidance that took it to the next level. As an author as well as editor, she understands both sides of the table and offered her professional abilities with insight and empathy. I would definitely cons...
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Kristin L.

Kristin L.

Aug, 2024

Wow! I couldn’t be more happy with the editing and final product. Dori professionally edited my manuscript, but she also provided coaching on how to take my writing to the next level. I had an incredible experience working with her, and she will definitely be my go-to editor with any future writi...
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