Paula Guran

Paula Guran – Editor

I'm an experienced, award-winning editor of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. I'd like to help you make your novel the best it can be.

Overview

I've been editing professionally since 2006 (and earlier on a semi-professional level) of mostly SF/F/H. My job is to help an author tell their story in their individual style while making sure the details—from overall timeline to grammar to moon phases—are feasible. Sure, it may be fantasy, but good fiction is grounded in logic. Whether you are a neophyte author, a seasoned professional, or somewhere in between, I'm eager to work with you.

Services
Fiction
Epic Fantasy Historical Fiction Horror Magical Realism Paranormal Romance Romantic Fantasy Science Fiction Urban Fantasy
Languages
English (AUS) English (NZ) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Bram Stoker (2)
  • IHG (2)
  • World Fantasy Award Nominations (3)

Work experience

Self-employed

Dec, 2017 — Present

I edited anthologies and novels for Night Shade; two anthology series for Pyr. I also edit novels, novellas, and shorts for individuals.

Prime Books

Jan, 2010 — Nov, 2017 (almost 8 years)

Acquisition, developmental, substantive, stylistic editing of established and new authors as well as acquisition. Also did PR, publicity, marketing, copywriting, graphic design, production, and contracts; copyediting, proofreading, and webmastering.

Juno Books / Simon & Schuester

Apr, 2006 — Dec, 2011 (over 5 years)

Acquisition, developmental, substantive, stylistic editing of established and new authors. Also did PR, publicity, marketing, copywriting, production, and contracts. Originally an independent press imprint, Simon & Schuster Pocket Books bought it as a dedicated urban fantasy mass market imprint starting January 2008. Implemented a book-a-month mass-market imprint for Pocket in six months.

Portfolio

House of Whispers: Book One Of The Supernatural Properties Series (Supernatural Properties, 1)

Lucke, Margaret

Developmental Editing
Vicious Circle (Persephone Alcmedi, Book 1)

Robertson, Linda

Developmental Editing
Dreams of the Dark Sky: The Legacy of the Heavens, Book Two

LeCount Myers, Tina

Developmental Editing
Ascension: A Tangled Axon Novel

Jacqueline Koyanagi

Developmental Editing
Worldsoul

Williams, Liz

Developmental Editing
Everything is Broken

Shirley, John

Copy Editing
Yamada Monogatari: To Break the Demon Gate

Parks, Richard

Developmental Editing
Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti

Genevieve Valentine

Developmental Editing
Ghost Summer: Stories

Due, Tananarive

Editorial Assessment
Million Mile Road Trip

Rucker, Rudy

Copy Editing

Paula has 7 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Chris H.

Chris H.

Oct, 2024

Paula's wonderful, you're working with a professional with so much experience—a tremendous amount of editing experience, but also publishing, industry, multi-genre lit experience. This is the third novel Paula has edited for me. I'll be back with the next one!
Paula G.
Thanks, Chris! It was great to work with you again! What was once Kassandra's domain has grown and grown into such a huge universe of imagination :-) Love it!
Lynette A.

Lynette A.

Sep, 2024

Paula Guran gave my novel a thorough edit, making many valuable suggestions and pointing out the weaker areas where I needed to clarify what was happening to answer readers' questions about my futuristic world. She not only gave me several pages of written analysis but also made many detailed suggestions on the text itself. I now have good guidelines to use to improve my text further. I was del...
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Sleepy D.

Sleepy D.

Sep, 2024

It was a pleasure working with Paula, and I hope we collaborate again on future projects. Paula invested a lot of effort and paid great attention to details, providing an edit half as long as the original manuscript with observations, suggestions, and a healthy dose of humor. She paid attention to historical elements, medical accuracy, language, and other minute details which will help the read...
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Paula G.
Thanks, Sleepy!
Mats E.

Mats E.

Sep, 2024

What can I say that others haven't already? Paula delivered a thorough, detailed and constructive assessment of my manuscript, which is exactly what I needed in order to move forward. If you are looking for a top quality professional who knows her stuff, don't hesitate.
Paula G.
Thanks, Mats! Appreciate you :-) Hope to hear more of Brother Ambrose one of these days.
Vince D.

Vince D.

Jul, 2024

Working with Paula Guran was a dream scenario for me, as a long-time reader of her anthologies. It went even better than expected. She was very communicative, friendly, available and easy to work with. I especially enjoyed the personal attention. This was not an assembly line edit. She asked a lot of questions in advance to ensure that she understood my needs and addressed them. Her overall no...
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Paula G.
Thanks so much, Vince! Would love to work with you again too. And remember my suggestion: write more stories. - Paula

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