Edward Cyzewski – Editor

With over a dozen years of experience in book publishing, development editing, and evaluating nonfiction book proposals, I am passionate about helping authors refine and clarify their ideas. I have extensively worked with religious publishers and have a Master of Divinity degree, although my editorial work covers a wide range of nonfiction topics such as business and self-help.

My role as an editor is to simultaneously represent the concerns of the author and the audience so that the author's message intersects with the needs and expectations of the audience.

MY APPROACH TO EDITING

A great nonfiction book should pitch itself as an urgent need for readers. The reader should feel an aching need for the book, and then it's up to the author to deliver a clear, organized, accessible message in as few words as possible to alleviate the ache.

Failing to help readers feel an aching need for their book means no one will read it.

Failing to help readers recover from the aching need means bad reviews.

My job is to ask the tough questions of a manuscript or proposal while advocating for the talents and insights of my clients. I see myself as an author’s best defense against a negative review or a critical tweet. Having been on both sides of the editing process, I am uniquely positioned to communicate editorial suggestions, sometimes for major changes, in a compassionate and constructive manner.

EXPERIENCE

My experience in book publishing and editing includes writing for commercial publishers since 2007 and development editing and book proposal evaluations for authors and publishers since 2010. My editing clients include contract work with publishers and authors working with publishers.

I have worked with Barbour Publishing, NavPress, Wesleyan Publishing, Malcolm Down Publishing, CLC Publishing, Cascade Books, Herald Press, and Kregel Publications.

Many of my bestselling clients, such as Austin Channing Brown and Sarah Bessey, have sent their ideas, proposals, or manuscripts to me for development edits prior to submitting their books to publishers.

ENDORSEMENTS

“Every time someone asks me for direction with a book proposal or even publishing as a whole, I always send them to Ed. I have found him to be wise, insightful, knowledgeable, and empowering."

- Sarah Bessey, Jesus Feminist

"Ed is a pro, and he knows so darn much about publishing and the proposal process... He made specific, actionable suggestions on what needed improvement, and bolstered my confidence by pointing out what I’d actually done well."

- Anne Bogel, What Should I Read Next

“Ed has been an incredible help and encouragement to me in my writing life. He offered a number of resources as I pondered self-publishing and answered many questions I had about expanding my writing beyond my blog. Having Ed in my corner helped me get out of my head, and move forward my writing life with confidence.”

- Austin Channing Brown, I'm Still Here (A New York Times bestseller)