Elizabeth Thurmond

Elizabeth Thurmond – Editor

Fantasy, sci-fi, romance and YA proofreader and copyeditor with experience at Disney/Hyperion, Hallmark Books and Dreamspinner Press.

Overview

I'm a proofreader and copyeditor with twelve years' experience in fantasy, science fiction, mystery and romance for adults, YA and Middle Grade fantasy, sci-fi and thrillers. My experience includes work with private clients, small publishers like Dreamspinner Press, and well-known brands like Hallmark and Disney. I also worked as a corporate proofreader for over a decade before fully transitioning into the publishing world. A great deal of my work on Reedsy has been with YA and fantasy authors, and I would love to receive more inquiries about mystery/suspense and sweet romance!

When working on a project, I first receive instructions and information about special needs or concerns from the client, such as whether the manuscript is being published or is being sent out to agents. I then provide a comprehensive markup with attention to typos, spelling, grammar, syntax, and any continuity errors that might jump out at me (such as whether a character's name changes halfway through the manuscript), using Microsoft Word with tracked changes. If I see anything that I think may need the author's attention -- an erroneous word choice, a confusing paragraph, etc. -- I flag it in a comment at the margins. Any queries I insert are for the author to consider, and I don't require an answer!

I have received some requests that I've had to turn down because the manuscript was not ready for my services. The proofreading and copyediting I provide are most effectively used as the final review before a manuscript is self-published or submitted to agents and editors -- think of me as the last line of defense for putting your best foot forward.

Previous projects include the Kane Chronicles and other books by Rick Riordan, as well as books by other authors in the Rick Riordan Presents line (middle-grade and YA fantasy by multicultural authors); books in the Star Wars High Republic series, Quetzalli's Last Song by Desiree Calderon de Fawaz, The Christmas Company by Alys Murray, Shoot This One and Shoot That One by Javier Grillo-Marxuach.
Services
Fiction
Comics & Graphic Novels Middle Grade Fantasy Mystery & Crime Plays & Screenplays Romance Science Fiction Urban Fantasy Young Adult
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (NZ) English (SA) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Disney Publishing Worldwide

Sep, 2021 — Jul, 2022 (10 months)

Proofread books for electronic release across all product lines, from children's book to Hyperion original YA to Star Wars to nonfiction for National Geographic. Marked up manuscripts for audiobook performances.

Hallmark Books

Aug, 2018 — Present

On-demand copyeditor and proofreader for sweet romance novels.

Self-employed

Jul, 2017 — Present

Developmental edits, copyediting and proofreading for private clients.

Alpha Pictures

Jul, 2016 — Jun, 2017 (11 months)

Pitched adaptations of Chinese intellectual property to the head of development & production. Shepherded projects through the development process, including running and participating in writers'-room-style development meetings and writing story treatments. Evaluated potential writers in conjunction with head of development & production. Wrote and designed one-sheets and pitch decks showcasing IP potential for film franchises or TV series.

Dreamspinner Press

Feb, 2015 — Aug, 2015 (6 months)

Copy and developmental editing and proofreading for romance and YA novels with LGBT themes.

NBCUniversal, Inc.

Aug, 2014 — Jan, 2015 (5 months)

Proofread episode recaps and other text for. Wrote series descriptions for NBC Classic series website. Wrote, proofread and entered data for the Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary iPhone app.

Disney Publishing Worldwide

Apr, 2013 — Nov, 2013 (7 months)

Compared and reconciled hardcopy and electronic versions of children's, middle-grade, young adult and graphic novels for major media/publishing company. Provided electronic markups and rechecked corrections, and queried inconsistencies in original materials. Created electronic versions of long-form graphic novels.

Luna Station Quarterly

Jan, 2013 — Aug, 2013 (7 months)

Evaluated and proofread short fiction manuscripts for online journal focused on genre fiction by women authors.

Renaissance Literary & Talent

Feb, 2012 — Dec, 2012 (10 months)

Converted and proofread backlist titles by literary agent's clients for distribution on electronic platforms. Projects included fiction and nonfiction works by Joan Collins, Elia Kazan, Larry Collins & Dominique LaPierre.

eLance

Jan, 2012 — Nov, 2015 (almost 4 years)

Provided proofreading and copyediting services on fiction manuscripts, academic documents and essays for private clients.

Freelance

Jan, 2009 — Dec, 2013 (almost 5 years)

Script and manuscript analyst for companies such as Lifetime Television, 1492 Pictures and Rat Entertainment as well as private clients.

Portfolio

A gift of warmth to heal two hearts… Sarah Smith in Pine Hill, Kentucky has had her heart broken in the past. She pours herself into her work at church and into special projects—like making a quilt for a wounded warrior. Bodie Lewis is lost. All he’s ever want... read more
She's out to save her town from a real-life Scrooge... The small town of Miller’s Point is known across the country for their annual Dickensian Christmas festival. When the celebration is threatened by Clark Woodward, a miserly, big-city businessman, Kate Buck... read more
This isn’t his sister’s Wonderland….Henry never believed his older sister, Alice’s, fantastic tales about the world down the rabbit hole. When he’s whisked away to the bizarre land, his best chance for escape is to ally himself with the person called the Mad H... read more
From Book 1: Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school—that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received ext... read more
Twelve-year-old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has discovered a world below ground of armed and dangerous--and extremely high-tech--fairies. He kidnaps one of them, Holly Short, and holds her for ransom in an effort to restore his family's fortune. But he ma... read more
Since the release of Artemis Fowl in 2001, Eoin Colfer''''s blockbuster series has sold more than eight million copies in the United States alone. Now, in this second graphic novel installment of the series, fans can follow along as the world''''s youngest cri... read more
Nathaniel is a magician's apprentice, taking his first lessons in the arts of magic. But when a devious hot-shot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of his elders, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and sh... read more
For this elite group of teenagers, New York is all about parties, fashion...AND BLOOD. Schuyler Van Alen is a loner, and happy that way. But when she turns fifteen, her life dramatically changes. A mosaic of blue veins appears on her arms, and she begins to ha... read more
Sacrifice, The
Sunrise Cabin

Stacey D.

"...a warm-hearted, tender story about characters you will love to meet and a setting you won’t want to leave. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Sunrise Cabin!" --RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling authorTwo very different people… One very special place... read more
A collection fit for the (Egyptian) gods! All three books in the blockbuster Kane Chronicles trilogy are together at last! This series will be treasured by readers of all ages, whether they're experiencing Sadie and Carter's amazing adventures for the first ti... read more
As Dorothy Anne Hale-Cantwell tries to cope with the devastating loss of the man who was her friend, her lover and her whole life, a mysterious group of powerful businessmen plot a ruthless takeover of her hard-won international empire. With dizzying speed, he... read more
Elia Kazan, ethnic Greek but Turkish by birth, tells the story of the struggles of his uncle, Stavros Topouzoglou, in emigrating to America. In the 1890's, the young, kind-hearted but naive Stavros lives in Anatolia, where the Greek and Armenian minorities are... read more
"'Is Paris burning?' was a question that Hitler persistently put to his commander in the French capitol during August 1944. Thus begins the absorbing account of the liberation of Paris. You will be moved by the descriptions and want to see Paris to witness wha... read more
From the City of Light to the Suit of Lights with the authors of Is Paris Burning? as they trace the rise of matador El Cordobes from anonymous, impoverished boyhood to fame and multi-millionaire. Collins and Lapierre have again chosen a magnetic subject but t... read more
In 1955 a glittering array of Hollywood talent assembles in Mexico to film an extravaganza on Cortez. They include Nick Stone, the young Greek director; Julian 'Looks' Brook, the English matinee idol and his beautiful fiancee, Ines; sexy French starlet Dominiq... read more
Prime Time

Joan C.

Five alluring actresses all covet the leading role of the scheming enchantress Miranda on television's hottest new nighttime soap, "Saga." All five are driven, powerful and ambitious enough to make certain they win by any means. But the choice has already been... read more
Joan Collins is the internationally famous actress whose career has brought her to a new peak of stardom as Alexis Carrington Colby in "Dynasty" - a role which might have been created for the tempestuous, strong-willed and passionate woman that she is herself.... read more
How do you become a television writer? What does it take to create your own show? Did the writers of Lost really have a plan, or were they making it all up as they went?In a career spanning far longer than he cares to admit, Javier Grillo-Marxuach has not only... read more
Throughout history, the Amoven have survived by staying in the realm of legend, disbelief, and deliberate misdirection. But now, these werewolves have more to fear than hunters: nature and evolution are coming for them. Daniel McTavish's drive to rise in Amove... read more
The Mage and the Leathersmith: Book One Adventure brought unlikely lovers Lord Leonard “Leo” Harris and Master Leathersmith Gerald Smithson together. Now it threatens to tear them apart. Three weeks before their wedding, a plague strikes Victorian London—the w... read more

Elizabeth has 24 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Vid W.

Vid W.

Aug, 2023

Elizabeth did a great job at proof reading and asked some shrewd questions about the copy. I would definitely work with her again.
Katie B.

Katie B.

Aug, 2023

Elizabeth proofread my debut novel, and was very thorough and professional. I would absolutely work with her again!
Michael G.

Michael G.

Aug, 2023

I am very happy with the copy edit done by Elizabeth. She delivered on time as promised and did an outstanding job. Thank you, Elizabeth!
T.K. W.

T.K. W.

Aug, 2023

Elizabeth was able to proofread an 84,000 word manuscript well and quickly. However, I like more communication. I really like when I work with someone who provides frequent updates even if they feel unnecessary.
Daphinie C.

Daphinie C.

Jul, 2023

Working with Elizabeth was an ABSOLUTE DREAM! I couldn't ask for a better experience! This was my first time using Reedsy to connect me to professionals and working with Elizabeth really took the scary part of stepping out of my comfort zone and hiring someone to take a look at my work. Elizabeth made useful edits and left helpful comments in the margins. This made my job easy to go back and do...
Read more
Elizabeth T.
It was an absolute pleasure and I hope we get to work together again.

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