Elissa Curcio

Elissa Curcio – Editor

I am a copy editor and proofreader specializing in nonfiction with over 20 years of experience and 400 books under my belt.

Overview

Following a career in publications at a major American art museum, I embarked on a fly fishing and freelancing journey throughout the United States, living and working in Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, North Carolina, and Colorado. I began copyediting and proofreading for the Globe Pequot Press in 2003, and since that time have continuously worked on nonfiction titles for various imprints including FalconGuides, Lyons Press, and Stackpole Books. My portfolio includes over four hundred books, with a focus on outdoor recreation (including hiking, climbing, and, of course, fly fishing and tying) along with travel, nature, history, art, and cooking, all of which are personal interests of mine. I have a particular (some may say peculiar) affinity for notes and bibliographies, and am well versed in both Chicago and MLA style.

"A very special place in editor’s heaven is no doubt being reserved for Elissa [C.], who copyedited this book with extraordinary fastidiousness."—Suzanne Gerber, author, in acknowledgments, Vegetarian New York City

"Elissa [C.] is the best copy editor a travel writer could ask for, and I’m grateful for the many ways she made this a better book."—Eric Jones, author, in acknowledgments, New Hampshire Curiosities

"Elissa [C.] offered me invaluable editing and formatting assistance for which I am enormously grateful. Rarely have I ever encountered such careful, alert, and thorough scrutiny of a manuscript, accomplished so swiftly and efficiently."—Vreneli Farber, author, in acknowledgments, Stanislavsky in Practice

Services
Non-Fiction
Art Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits History Nature Sports & Outdoors Travel
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Nov, 2003 — Present
Copyedit first-edition manuscripts and revised editions of books, with a focus on the outdoors, travel, nature, history, and cooking.

Carnegie Museum of Art

Sep, 1993 — Oct, 2001 (about 8 years)
Responsible for coordinating the production of and assisting in the editing of all publications originating in the Museum of Art. Titles included Aluminum by Design; Merchant Prince and Master Builder: Edgar J. Kaufmann and Frank Lloyd Wright; Japanese Prints from the Carnegie Museum of Art; Dream Street: W. Eugene Smith’s Pittsburgh Project; and the Carnegie International 1991, 1995, and 1999 catalogues.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
TRUE NATURE: Hidden in the High Sierra

MICHELLE, LISA

CHECK R PRESS

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Good Nonsense: A Body in Motion and A Mind at Play

Casson, Sarah Austin

Dair Press

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
How to Start Running (And Enjoy It)

Casson, Sarah Austin

Dair Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Beyond Bourbon St.: An Insider's Guide to New Orleans

Bologna, Mark

Globe Pequot Publishing

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing

Elissa has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Michael C.

Michael C.

Feb, 2026

Elissa was exactly what my book needed to bring it to the next level. As a first-time author, I didn’t know what to expect from a copyeditor. Elissa first went through the book, astutely identifying issues I was concerned about as well before submitting it to her. It was as if she had read my min...
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Charles P.

Charles P.

Jan, 2026

Elissa has been an exceptional publishing professional and an absolute cornerstone of my success. With her guidance, I was able to publish four successful projects, each completed to a high professional standard. Her expertise, attention to detail, and deep understanding of the publishing process...
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Charles P.

Charles P.

Jan, 2026

Working with Elissa has been one of the best decisions I’ve made as an author. She played a critical role in helping me successfully publish four projects, and her guidance made all the difference. Elissa combines deep industry knowledge with genuine care for both the work and the author behind i...
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Sarah C.

Sarah C.

Jan, 2026

Elissa is wonderful to work with. She's extremely competent, professional and amazing at her job. This is the third time I've hired her for a project, and I'm very much looking forward to working with Elissa in the future. Thanks Elissa!!
Charles P.

Charles P.

Oct, 2025

Once again, Elissa has provided an outstanding copy-edit of my manuscript. I could never have achieved this level of quality on my own, and I truly believe that every book needs this kind of professional attention to reach a publishable standard. As I begin preparing the third volume of my book s...
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