Gillian Rodgerson

Gillian Rodgerson – Editor

Experienced, kind, creative editor. LGBTQ and emerging writers very welcome. I would love to help you find order in your word chaos!

Overview

I have been a senior editor at Insomniac Press in Toronto and the Managing Editor at Second Story feminist press, and now I specialize in literary fiction, mysteries, and memoirs. I work on a lot of LGBTQ books, although every writer will find me conscientious, constructive, and committed to protecting your individual voice.

Books I've worked on have been shortlisted or won awards in Canada and the US, including the Robert Bilson Award for Children's Historical Fiction.

I also teach trade fiction editing, online and in the classroom, in the post-graduate Publishing Certificate Program through the G. Raymond Chang School at Toronto Metropolitan University.

A bit about my background: after the School of Experiential Education (SEE) and religious studies at the University of Waterloo, I joined the collective of The Body Politic, Canada's gay liberation newspaper, and edited Capital Gay newspaper and Diva magazine in London, England. As a journalist, I have contributed to BBC radio and television, and programs for Britain's Channel 4.

In the 1980s, I was a founder member of Feminists Against Censorship and, with Elizabeth Wilson, edited the anthology Pornography and Feminism: the case against censorship.

Currently, I am Chair of the Board of Directors of Pink Triangle Press.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment LGBTQ Non-Fiction
Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime
Languages
English (CAN)
Awards
  • Marsh Jeanneret Award, 2010
Certifications
  • Post-graduate Publishing Certificate, Ryerson University

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 2004 — Present
Evaluate and edit manuscripts for a variety of freelance clients, including emerging writers.

Second Story Press

Jan, 2020 — Oct, 2022 (over 2 years)
Managed two annual (spring and fall) lists of 8-10 fiction and non-fiction titles per year. Adult, YA, and middle-grade books with a focus on feminist, social justice, and Indigenous stories.

Toronto Metropolitan University

Jan, 2014 — Present
Wrote and teach, online and in class, six-week Editing Trade Fiction course for the Raymond G Change School of Continuing Education post-graduate publishing certificate program at Ryerson University in Toronto.

Insomniac Press

Sep, 2005 — Jan, 2020 (over 14 years)
Edit and market fiction and non-fiction titles for this independent Canadian press.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
A Royal Commitment: Ten Years of Marriage and Activism

Gohil, Manvendra

Publish Your Purpose

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
To Kill A Cockroach

Amador, Osvaldo

Made with Reedsy
Radio Head Gal: a memoir of hearing loss and self-worth

Knill, Rebecca

JMT Press

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Holding On by a Thread

Wolscht, Stefonknee

Independently published

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
A biography of the Canadian-born musician by his sister describes their relationship and shared childhood, his music career and development as a musician, and her own efforts to make it as a s... read more
Developmental Editing
The third Calli Barnow mystery celebrates family: lost, found, chosen, and unexpected. Calli faces her most difficult challenges yet, confronting the unthinkable, armed only with the love of h... read more
Developmental Editing
In the glamorous world of advertising, image is everything as intrepid lesbian PI Calli Barnow finds out when she goes undercover at a top Toronto agency. Following a twisted money trail, she ... read more
Developmental Editing
Red Rover

Liz Bugg

Thalia Spencer is missing. Is she in trouble or simply avoiding her family? When his daughter disappears, conservative businessman John Spencer hires Toronto private eye Calli Barnow to find h... read more
Developmental Editing
The darkly humorous stories in I'm A Registered Nurse Not A Whore take dead aim at how easily our desire to be good is perverted or undermined by a desperate need for love and recognition. Des... read more
Developmental Editing
The Taste of Ashes

Sheila Peters

Isabel Lee's early life in rural BC was forever changed by a brief but powerful love affair with a young Oblate priest. Now a recovering alcoholic, Isabel struggles to pull the tattered fragme... read more
Developmental Editing
Dog the Moon

Stan Rogal

Mike Hanson is surprised to inherit his aunt’s farmhouse in rural Abbey, Saskatchewan. Even more surprising are the terms of the will: To keep the house, Mike must live there for three years, ... read more
Developmental Editing
"Wanted: lesbian couple to foster wonderful eleven-year-old African American boy with gender identity issues." Meet Antwan. Not only has he got gender issues, he's severely emotionally disturb... read more
Developmental Editing
Pamela Mordecai draws delicately detailed portraits of life in Jamaica and other islands, with occasional trips to Canada. Her characters speak with the cadences of the Caribbean and cope with... read more
Developmental Editing
Femme Confidential is a wry look at sexual freedom and finding yourself, your queer tribe, and the not-so-perfect girlfriend. Beautiful and charismatic Veronika, whose primary dating criteria ... read more
Developmental Editing

Gillian has 53 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

jamie F.

jamie F.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Gillian was like a muse sitting on my shoulder! Her contributions to my manuscript were invaluable. I found her comments insightful and spot-on, and her suggestions were clear and concise. What I really liked were her questions. By prodding me with very precise questions, she forced me to reth...
Read more
Becca L.

Becca L.

Nov, 2023

Pinned
Gillian deserves 6 stars. She truly went above and beyond for this first timer. She responded quickly to all my inquiries and showed so much kindness and expertise. I will choose her again with any future projects. I can't possibly recommend her enough!
Liz H.

Liz H.

Jul, 2021

Pinned
I love working with Gillian!
Wolfgang R.

Wolfgang R.

Dec, 2025

I’m very thankful to Gillian for her help with my very first book. Gillian has gone the extra mile from the very beginning all the way to the end. Without her professional knowledge, I would have never realized my dream of completing my work. Not only did Gillian give me the most valuable suggest...
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ralph K.

ralph K.

Dec, 2025

I found Gillian refreshing and reassuring to work with. I'm a first time writer Who knew I did not have a block buster and I knew it wasn't a waste of time either. She identified the chapters that needed to be fixed, and coached on those, or removed. Her fixes involved pointing out where I needed...
Read more

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