Dori Harrell - Editor
Full-time editor specializing in memoirs, nonfiction and fiction, esp. Christian contemporary and historical | Debut to best-selling authors
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Overview
This year, 2021, I have three authors on the Christian awards list so far! (And Occasional Moments of Happiness won the Excellence in Editing award through the Christian Editors Connection—the author, Shana Danyaei, was so committed to the editing process. Yay Shana! Congrats also to Ramona Pope and Cynthia Ruchti. Last year, I had an author who finaled in the Carol Awards!
I own Breakout Editing, and book editing is the most glamorous career in the world! (And eating red licorice while editing is even better...) I edit full time for major publishers—including Kregel Publications and Gemma Halliday Publishing—and indie authors, and I serve as managing editor of Redemption Press, in which I oversee a team of thirty editors. With more than 250 titles under my belt, I offer content and line edits and copyediting and proofreading. I read memoirs and clean fiction (contemporary and historical), so that's what I love to edit, though I've also edited dozens of nonfiction books also. My authors appear on the publishing-industry major awards lists regularly, and several books I've edited have gone on to win awards and/or become USA Today and Amazon bestsellers. In 2019, a title I edited—also Freedom's Kiss—finaled in the Carol Awards. A multiple-award-winning article writer with more than one thousand published articles, I also speak at writers' and editors' conferences nationwide.
I'm a hands-on editor, and my content edits cover the seven main elements of fiction (character, plot, pacing, structure, POV, pacing, 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, copyediting, and proofreading, I not only catch typos and other errors, but I apply the industry style guide (The Chicago Manual of Style) so that your book reads as smoothly as any picked out from 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 thoroughly and with publishers. I frequently work with debut authors who show strong writing and storytelling abilities.
Recent titles I've edited include:
A Cross to Kill (Kregel; finaled in the 2020 Carol Awards)
Shattering (Redemption Press)
Unmothered (Redemption Press)
Finders Keepers (Sarah Monzon, Selah Award Winner)
The Fit Businessman (Eric Snaell)
The Lost Lieutenant (Kregel)
I graduated from the University of Washington with a double major in journalism and political science, and I'm a huge Seahawks fan (as is my sheltie, Brisco)—go Hawks! I look forward to chatting with you about your baby! (Update on Brisco: Since I wrote this brief bio, Brisco has left this earth, at almost sixteen years old, in June 2021. He lived a good, happy life with lots of camping, and we lived a better life because of his faithful companionship.)
I own Breakout Editing, and book editing is the most glamorous career in the world! (And eating red licorice while editing is even better...) I edit full time for major publishers—including Kregel Publications and Gemma Halliday Publishing—and indie authors, and I serve as managing editor of Redemption Press, in which I oversee a team of thirty editors. With more than 250 titles under my belt, I offer content and line edits and copyediting and proofreading. I read memoirs and clean fiction (contemporary and historical), so that's what I love to edit, though I've also edited dozens of nonfiction books also. My authors appear on the publishing-industry major awards lists regularly, and several books I've edited have gone on to win awards and/or become USA Today and Amazon bestsellers. In 2019, a title I edited—also Freedom's Kiss—finaled in the Carol Awards. A multiple-award-winning article writer with more than one thousand published articles, I also speak at writers' and editors' conferences nationwide.
I'm a hands-on editor, and my content edits cover the seven main elements of fiction (character, plot, pacing, structure, POV, pacing, 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, copyediting, and proofreading, I not only catch typos and other errors, but I apply the industry style guide (The Chicago Manual of Style) so that your book reads as smoothly as any picked out from 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 thoroughly and with publishers. I frequently work with debut authors who show strong writing and storytelling abilities.
Recent titles I've edited include:
A Cross to Kill (Kregel; finaled in the 2020 Carol Awards)
Shattering (Redemption Press)
Unmothered (Redemption Press)
Finders Keepers (Sarah Monzon, Selah Award Winner)
The Fit Businessman (Eric Snaell)
The Lost Lieutenant (Kregel)
I graduated from the University of Washington with a double major in journalism and political science, and I'm a huge Seahawks fan (as is my sheltie, Brisco)—go Hawks! I look forward to chatting with you about your baby! (Update on Brisco: Since I wrote this brief bio, Brisco has left this earth, at almost sixteen years old, in June 2021. He lived a good, happy life with lots of camping, and we lived a better life because of his faithful companionship.)
Languages
English
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Christian Non-Fiction
Fiction
Christian Fiction
Cozy Mysteries
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Humor & Comedy
Romance
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
Owner
Self-employed
June, 2010
–
Present
(over 12 years)
I own Breakout Editing, and 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.
Freelance Project Editor
Kregel
February, 2019
–
Present
(almost 4 years)
Love project editing for Kregel! I provide thorough line edits to help smooth out the story and flow, while delivering a full copyedit at the same time—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.
Managing Editor
Redemption Press
May, 2018
–
Present
(over 4 years)
Managing editor is an exciting role! I match authors with top-notch editors who are great fits for the MSS; internally review all edits for quality control; mentor editors and authors; work closely with authors and editors to usher MSS through the editing process; author coach, content coach, line edit, copyedit, and proofread, adhering closely to The Chicago Manual of Style and The Christian Writers Manual of Style.
Portfolio (24 selected works)
A gripping debut thriller pits a man of God against terrorists--and his own deadly pastJohn Cross is a small-town pastor, bent on leading his flock to follow God's calling. He's not the sort of man one would expect to have a checkered past.But the truth is that the man behind the pulpit preaching to his sheep was once a wolf--an assassin for the CIA. When John decided to follow Christ, he put ... read more
The Dreamer (The Dreamland Series Book 1)
E.J. Mellow
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 slept well since the night of her twenty-fourth birthday. Being struck by lightning might have something to do with it, but then again, her chicken did look a little undercooked at dinner. Whatever the culpri... read more
Unmothered: Life With a Mom Who Couldn't Love Me
Phylis Mantelli
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 siblings never know what to expect from their mom. The mom who bakes homemade chocolate chip cookies with hugs and smiles, or a raging, screaming mother who mocks and belittles them. The mom who cooks dinner, ... read more
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 "Marty" Hudson has it all...almost. While her best friend, Irene Adler, is a dot-com millionaire many times over, Marty's days are filled with working as a barista at a Stanford University coffee bar, crash... read more
The Lost Lieutenant (Serendipity & Secrets)
Erica Vetsch
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 future of his country. And he certainly didn't think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a... read more
Count Me In (An Emerald City Romance Book 1)
Mikal Dawn
*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 the gym. Fine. She goes to church. And the coffee shop. She avoids risk at all cost, preferring to stay safe in her cozy condo. Until her accounting firm goes belly up and she's out of a job. Tyler Hawk ... read more
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 to the crippling anxiety disorder. She’ll go a long way to help others avoid the same pain and loss.Despite Camille’s expertise, her growing audience for her Let in the Light podcast, and the national re... read more
Red Rose Bouquet: A Contemporary Christian Novel (Grace Revealed Book 2)
Jennifer Rodewald
"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 learned over a decade ago to guard her shattered heart with a veil of cold indifference. Life since that day has been an endless cycle of detachment and loneliness, followed by superficial relationships. B... read more
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 disappear in just a moment, with no past and no future, some with no names. You've read the verses about them, sliding over them quickly without knowing why they're there. God included them in His Word for... read more
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 miraculous love. This dramatic memoir showcases the redemptive power of the God who never let her go and offers encouragement to family members and friends of those struggling with sexual identity issues.
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 work a meeting in Dublin. Caity jumps at the opportunity to travel abroad and escape her pathetic life. However, even four thousand miles from home, there’s no avoiding debt collectors, an overbearing moth... read more
Ready to Fumble (The Worst Detective Ever Book 1)
Christy Barritt
***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 solve a mystery and laughing out loud.I'm not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate hers... read more
The Divide (The Dreamland Series Book 2)
E.J. Mellow
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 for weeks. Now destined to accept a clandestine role, Molly must find the strength and courage buried deep to push forward and succeed.With the help of Dev, the roguish blue-eyed man of her dreams—whose dar... read more
Dangerous Bond (Jamie Bond Mysteries Book 4)
Gemma Halliday, Jennifer Fischetto
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 her everywhere. As a private investigator, Jamie Bond thought she had seen every sort of cheating-spouse case imaginable. That is until she's hired by a wife who's afraid her husband is cheating...on his ... read more
Planned from the Start: A Healing Devotional
Lorraine Marie Varela
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 she left the organization after watching an abortion on ultrasound. This interactive devotional offers healing and hope to women (and men) who suffer from the devastating pain of post-abortion trauma.
The Rancher's Heart (Hearts of Wyoming Book 3)
Anne Carrole
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 cattle. But even with her preference for high heels instead of cowboy boots, she’s determined to save the family ranch she inherited for her son. She just needs to hire the right foreman. Neighboring rancher a... read more
Finders Keepers (Carrington Family Romance Book 1)
Sarah Monzon
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 mother’s life stalks Isabella Castellano. Afraid for her safety, Isabella disguises herself as a cabin boy and hires on to one of His Majesty’s treasure fleet vessels. But has her flight from a known thr... read more
All of You (Carrington Family Romance Book 2)
Sarah Monzon
Sometimes the past reaches forward to bring hope to the future.England, 1944With the world at war yet again, Alice Galloway rejects her father’s traditional expectations and offers her piloting expertise to the Air Transport Auxiliary. She may be a woman in a man’s world, but when she overhears key intelligence, she must find the strength to transcend boundaries and her own fears...or countles... read more
Freedom's Kiss (Carrington Family Romance Book 3)
Sarah Monzon
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 slavery and find refuge and new life with the Seminole Indians of Florida. But their future is still uncertain as threats of war, a return to slavery, and removal to the West shake their tentative grasp on ... read more
No Man's Land: Reschen Valley Part 1
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger
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 end of the Great War has taken more than her beloved family, it has robbed the province of its autonomy and severed it in half. As her countrymen fight to prevent the annexation to Italy, Katharina finds ... read more
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 ministry. So when extremists take control of the White House and his alarmed father opposes them from the pulpit, Braxton thinks it’s just another excuse to ignore him. But the threat becomes all too real when... read more
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 will never achieve anything meaningful for God. This book reveals practical strategies that will help you jumpstart your prayer life and allow you to soar to greater heights spiritually.In Declare: Submerge ... read more
Rodeos, wedding bells, and one crazy will!For love…When Mandy Prescott’s grandfather dies, this determined cowgirl expects to head up the family’s rodeo company. But JM Prescott’s last will not only gives that honor to Ty Martin, a man who broke Mandy’s heart a decade ago, it contains a crazy provision: to take back control, she must agree to marry Ty Martin for a period of six months. Mandy h... read more
Money Is an Energy Game
Margaret M. Donahue, Madeline C. Gerwick
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 influences your prosperity and well-being. You’ll learn how to attract funds more easily, create a more prosperous business, and enjoy a higher quality of life. This book provides easy tools and techniques to h... read more
Dori has 5 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Dori makes me a better writer every time. Thank you Dori.
charlie solorio, June 2021
Reply from Dori Harrell
Dori was wonderful once again. I learn how to write better with each time that I work with her. Thanks Dori
charlie solorio, November 2020
Dori is an outstanding editor. She does quality work and I learned to be a better writer as a result. With her feedback, she provided a perfect blend of truth and grace.
charlie solorio, July 2020
Dori did a wonderful job with improving what I was trying to communicate. I learned a lot and I thank her for making me a better writer. Great job Dori!
charlie solorio, May 2020
Reply from Dori Harrell
It was a true pleasure working with Dori! It was my first time with a developmental editor and her professionalism and assistance were invaluable! I also liked her straightforwardness and her pricing!
I thank Dori for being of such help to me in developing an important manuscript for the Christian market.
Dr. Lily Corsello
Lily Corsello, May 2020
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David Lamb
Expert editor of NYT bestselling and award-winning nonfiction books who helps craft compelling stories about complex topics.
Minneapolis, MN, USA
JANE DE ROUSSAN
I have 32 years of editing and publishing children's books in Montreal. As a retired publisher, I would love to help craft your next book.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
