Elyse Lyon – Editor

If you're seeking an editor who will walk beside you, helping shape your manuscript and refine your skills every step of the way, you're in the right place. I do everything from coaching to proofreading, but my most popular service is what I call a coached manuscript evaluation—a collaborative, bespoke approach that blends developmental work with coaching and can be shaped to fit most authors' needs and budgets.

My background and experience are split between literary fiction and genre fiction, and I particularly love it when the two intersect. I've edited manuscripts by numerous New York Times bestsellers, a few National Book Award winners, a Booker Prize winner, and some Hugo winners, among others.

I love character-driven novels and thoughtful writers driven by craft, ideas, or both. Particular interests include literary fiction and crime/mystery novels. I strive to meet the needs of each project individually, listening to the client and working together to find the approach best suited to the manuscript at hand. I'm also happy to work on most types of subject matter: I'm always interested in hearing what authors have to say, and I'm not easily offended.

I received my copyediting certificate from the University of Chicago Graham School and studied developmental editing with Club Ed. I'm an American living in Inverness, Scotland, so I have experience with both US and UK English. I've also lived extensively abroad, including in Germany, Vietnam, and eastern Europe, which can be useful when editing books set in far-flung locations.

I'm an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders, and I'm also a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association. I'm a senior editor for a primary client, meaning that I work in a collaborative environment where editors learn from one another and constantly hone our skills. I also engage in regular professional development: currently, you'll find me devouring one craft book after the other.

Please reach out; I'd love to hear from you!