Elise Vaz

Elise Vaz – Editor

Collaborative editor with 20+ years' experience and deep respect for the author's voice. Focus on first-timers, self-publishers, memoirs.

Overview

Editing is not just a profession for me—it’s my passion, one that I have worked at for more than 20 years. In that time, I have edited hundreds of books--everything from romance novels to PhD dissertations, cookbooks to religious texts, and the list goes on. These days, I specialize in works by self-publishing and first-time authors, and my genre specialty is memoirs. However, I enthusiastically welcome all authors and genres.

As an editor, I am meticulous yet flexible, with a deep respect for the author's own voice. I want to help make your project what you want it to be, not what I think it should be. When working with me, you can expect honest, constructive feedback and a spirit of collaboration--we are working together, after all, to make your writing the best it can be.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing Humanities & Social Sciences LGBTQ Non-Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Callisto Media

Apr, 2018 — Sep, 2022 (over 4 years)
• Copyedited and proofread nonfiction books including self-help, mental health, New Age, diets, educational, cookbooks, workbooks, and much more. • Evaluated manuscripts for style issues, consistency, grammatical and punctuation errors, as well as pagination; widows/orphans; stacked wording; and layouts of charts, graphs, photos, and illustrations.

Amnet

Feb, 2014 — Present
• Copyediting and developmental editing of fiction and nonfiction books. • Currently focused on developmental academic editing for multiple university presses.

CreateSpace

Sep, 2011 — Feb, 2015 (over 3 years)
• Line and developmental editing for self-published authors. • Evaluated manuscripts based on Chicago Manual of Style for plot, style, consistency, and overall publication readiness. • Prepared written manuscript evaluations for clients highlighting their writing's strengths and areas for improvement.

Arbor Books

Oct, 2005 — Jan, 2015 (over 9 years)
• Edited fiction and nonfiction books including copyediting, developmental editing, and proofreading. • Ghostwrote ~50 books, from romance and Western novels to business books, self-help titles, and memoirs. • Wrote, edited, and proofread press kits, ads, cover copy, and websites.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Of Water and Grief: A memoir on life and death, child loss and grief, and healing

Allender, Mandy

Grief and Gratitude Books

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Time Stamped: A Memoir Across Five Decades

Smith Jr, Davis T

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
TEND: Exploring Mindful-Driven Advocacy

Camp, Matthew

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
All You Care to Eat: A Novice Buys a Restaurant

Church-Downer, Susan

I.G. Fels Publisher

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
The Goodest Boy: Heartwarming Dog Stories

Williams, I.L.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Proofreading
Developmental Editing
Proofreading
Cesar Romero: The Joker Is Wild (Screen Classics)

Garza Bernstein, Samuel

University Press of Kentucky

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Do Your D.U.T.Y.

Bowie, BeBe

Independently published

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Releasing My Pain For Others Gain

Jones, Yvonne Christine

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
My Favorite Nightmare: a novel

Koul, Josh

Press Kouldown Publishing

Developmental Editing
Proofreading
Queer Slashers (Icons of Horror)

Marra, Peter

Indiana University Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Succulent Obsession

Shelf, Ken

Rockridge Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Price of Leadership

Lerner, Ellyn

School Realty, LP

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Paths Made by Walking: The Work of Howzevi Women in Iran

Tawasil, Amina

Indiana University Press

Copy Editing

Elise has 30 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Natalie F.

Natalie F.

Aug, 2025

Pinned
As a first time author, Elise managed to exceed my expectations. I didn't know what I was looking for initially, But she was very clear and helpful in helping me navigate not only our collaboration, but Reedsy itself. Highly recommended.
Nina G.

Nina G.

Jun, 2025

Pinned
I had a wonderful experience working with Elise on the copyedit of my grief book. From the very beginning, she was professional and clear about her process, taking the time to ensure her approach aligned with my expectations. Her edits were thoughtful, precise, and improved the quality of my manu...
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Brandi B.

Brandi B.

Apr, 2025

Pinned
Working with Elise was a dream come true! Great advice, wonderful work ethic and extremely skilled. She was very knowledgeable and easy to communicate with! I’m elated to work with her on my next project!
S.Y. C.

S.Y. C.

Mar, 2026

Elise is a truly exceptional editor. Her background aligns remarkably well with the theme of our book, which gave her insights that enriched the editing process in a very meaningful way. She demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and delivered the final product with impressive timeline...
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John S.

John S.

Feb, 2026

Many thanks to Elise for her copy editing work on my manuscript. The process was well‑organized from start to finish, and she was incredibly easy to work with. Even as I made structural, arc, and title changes along the way, she took everything in stride and helped this first‑time author move con...
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Most recent contributions

What tips do you have for editing narrative nonfiction, like memoirs?

Always keep the author's voice in mind. They are telling their own story, so it should sound like them--don't over-edit to make it conform to how you think it should read. Edit with as light a touch as possible. Be sensitive with your constructive criticism--you're talking about someone's lived e...
Read more

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