Overview
I am a professional editor with over 17 years' experience in book publishing, specializing in developmental editing, proofreading and career consultation, particularly in the areas of romance, women's fiction, mystery and thrillers. Publishing is all about collaboration and communication, and I love helping an author put the pieces together to help create their best book possible.
Whether you are looking at landing your dream agent, already have an agent and want to polish your manuscript before it goes out for submission, or are indie-publishing and need a developmental editor or a second set of eyes as a proofreader before self-publishing, I have the experience and knowledge to help you on your publication journey. Having worked at a literary agency, one of the Big Five NYC publishing houses, and an independent publisher, I know what both agents and editors are looking for, and provide gentle-but-honest feedback for every step. In addition to developmental editing and proofreading, I also offer manuscript evaluations, query critiques, and general career consultation.
I started my publishing career as the agency assistant at BookEnds Literary, and spent ten years as an in-house editor for St. Martin's Press, where I worked with numerous New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, and helped launch debut authors who have gone on to have long, successful careers. Since starting my own business in 2018, I have worked with large traditional publishing houses, bestselling indie authors, and writers just looking to break into the business. In 2022 I joined Crooked Lane Books/Alcove Press as a senior editor, where I focus on acquisitions. You can find my complete portfolio on my website. Let me put my knowledge to work for you!
Services
Fiction
Contemporary Romance
Cozy Mysteries
Historical Mysteries
Historical Romance
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Suspense
Thriller & Suspense
Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
- Editor for 2018 RITA winner of Best First Book - "Take the Lead" by Alexis Daria
Work experience
Crooked Lane Books/Alcove Press
Feb, 2022 —
Present
I edit and acquire 10-12 titles/year across two imprints at Crooked Lane Books and Alcove Press. Overall, I am especially drawn to complex family dynamics, female friendships, motherhood, and moral dilemmas, as well as diverse casts and underrepresented voices.
Self-employed
Mar, 2018 —
Present
I started freelancing in March 2018. I love helping authors turn their manuscripts into the best books they can be! I specialize in romance, women's fiction, cozy mysteries, thrillers, and YA. My true passion lies in developmental editing, but I am available for everything from query critiques, proofreading and author career consultations.
St. Martin's Press
Aug, 2008 —
Mar, 2018
(over 9 years)
Acquired and edited over 150 titles in the areas of romance, women's fiction, mystery, and YA. Worked with numerous NYT and USA Today bestselling authors, as well as launch debut authors who have gone on to have long, established careers.
BookEnds, LLC
Jan, 2008 —
Aug, 2008
(7 months)
Portfolio
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
A woman’s journey through tragedy leads to the discovery of love in a novel about hope and survival by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee.When a wildfire nearly destroys Parker ... read more
Developmental Editing
"An utterly charming opposites-attract-story. Hovland perfectly balances simmering sexual tension with a surprising amount of emotion, and the stomach-flip-causing ending is the perfect exampl... read more
Developmental Editing
Big-city sophistication meets carnal hunger in this devilish contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.Heir apparent to her father’s company, Lizzy B... read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
From New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin comes a heartfelt story about overcoming great loss and forgiving past sins to find happiness again.Brooklyn Hewett hasn’t set foot in C... read more
Developmental Editing
From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes a delicious saga of wealth, luxury, and scandal—and the wicked secrets of success behind an envied family dynasty.The Riviera means in... read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
It'll be a Christmas to remember when hotel heiress Carina Briscoe is roped into a pretend marriage with cowboy James Decker, the bad boy stable manager of her family's Texas resort. The marriage might be a sham but the sparks between them are anything but. St... read more
Tara Holloway has got your number. A special agent on the IRS's payroll, she's dead-set on making sure that money crimes don't pay…Tax cheats, beware: The Treasury Department's Criminal Investigations Division has a new special agent on its payroll. A recoveri... read more
With shades of It’s a Wonderful Life, one man must face his past to find his future this Christmas.In the last year, George's life has drastically changed. The formerly homeless veteran now has a job he likes, a family in the residents of Darling, VT, and for ... read more
Relax on a silent night and dive into Christmas Brides, a lush historical holiday anthology featuring a brand-new story from USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Hawkins. And back by popular demand from last Christmas, previously published One Hot Scot, The ... read more
DANGEROUS CURVES AHEADSugar JamisonEllis Garrett is dumping her critical boyfriend, opening a plus-size clothing store, and starting a blog—all to spread the word that fashion shouldn't require a size-two body, and happiness should allow for the occasional cup... read more
Bold, brazen, and beautiful, the Reckless Brides refuse to play by society's rules of courtship. But―come hell or high water―they always get their man...A LADY IN DISGUISEFor generations, the Kents have served proudly with the British Royal Navy. So when her y... read more
Trouble with FateLeigh EvansMy name is Hedi Peacock and I have a secret. I'm not human, and I have the pointy Fae ears and Were inner-bitch to prove it. As fairy tales go, my childhood was damn near perfect, all fur and magic until a werewolf killed my father ... read more
Bree Bennis finally has it all—a non-comatose mother, an uber-hot (albeit anachronistic) boyfriend named Finn, and a newfound mission to protect the timeline from those who would skew it for their own gain. But when she leans over one day to smooch said boyfri... read more
From the author of The Good Neighbor and The Glass Wives comes an enchanting story of returning home and discovering what truly matters after loss.No one knows why Teddi Lerner left her hometown, but everyone knows why she’s back.Twelve-year-old Shayna— talent... read more
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gemma Halliday, comes Play Nice, her most thrilling novel yet! She faked her death to escape life as an assassin. But now her enemies have tracked her down, and this time they want her to stay dead.Anya Dani... read more
"Almost Missed You is a skillful, insightful debut: a deft exploration of the mysteries of marriage, the price we pay for our secrets, and just how easy it is to make the worst choices imaginable." —Chris Bohjalian, New York Times bestselling author of The San... read more
Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn't as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She is special. She sees visions, and for those she's seen, it's already too late. Trinity arrives on her aunt's doorstep ... read more
At a school where Quantum Paradox 101 is a required course and history field trips are literal, sixteen year-old time traveler Bree Bennis excels…at screwing up.After Bree botches a solo midterm to the 21st century by accidentally taking a boy hostage (a teens... read more
Wren MacAvoy works as a coal miner for a domed city that was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century to protect the royal blood line of England when astronomers spotted a comet on a collision course with Earth. Humanity would be saved by the most groundbreak... read more
Get ready for the ride of your life...A cowgirl at heart, Skye Martinez has a rebellious streak she's determined to shake. Especially since she's poised to take the reins of her family's business at Briscoe Ranch Resort. It's time for her to settle down and ge... read more
It takes true grit to build a billion-dollar dynasty like the Ford family ranch. But when it comes to finding love, all it takes is one handsome cowboy to steal a woman’s heart in Cowboy Stole My Heart by Soraya Lane. SHE’S RIDING SOLO As one of the heirs to t... read more
Welcome to Otter Lake, where the relaxing, restorative atmosphere is to die for.Erica Bloom is in no rush to return to Otter Lake, the site of her mother's spiritual retreat for women. Erica met her inner goddess years ago and she's happy to have forged a new ... read more
Paw Enforcement introduces police officer Megan Luz and her loyal K-9 partner Brigit-two Fort Worth cops who are worth their weight in kibble.SHE'S ON A SHORT LEASH.Officer Luz is lucky she still has a job after tasering a male colleague where it counts the mo... read more
"Twisty and compelling [...] a terrific read." ― Associated Press"Compulsively readable... Just Between Us winds its roller-coaster plot around our tendency to see exactly what we are looking for―while our little lies take on dangerous lives of their own." ― O... read more
“A master storyteller.”—Affaire de CoeurNearing thirty, the Duke of Rathburne is finally ready to make amends for the wager that caused him and his best friends such scandal—but taking on a ward who needs a husband is a feat he’s not sure he can manage. The la... read more
All were shocked at the announcement of the “cursed” Lady Claire Cavensham to Lord Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, especially since she is already engaged to another unfortunate Lord. Perhaps she will make it to the altar this time with one of ... read more
LADY + DUKE = TRUE LOVE?Lady Daphne Forsyth is a brilliant mathematician with a burning passion for puzzles. When she learns that the library belonging to her benefactress houses the legendary Cameron Cipher—an encrypted message that, once solved, holds the ke... read more
In New York Times bestselling author Beth Harbison's most emotional novel ever, a fractured family must come together at a beach house haunted by the past.Willa has never fully recovered from the sudden death of her husband, Ben. She became an absent mother to... read more
Meet the Naughty Princess Club: a brand new series from USA Today bestselling author Tara Sivec that introduces readers to Fairytale Lane and the hilarity—and romance—that ensue when three women start a new business to make it rain. Once upon a time Cynthia wa... read more
Named one of the Best Romances of 2017 by Entertainment Weekly and The Washington Post!A 2018 RITA® finalist for Best First Book and Contemporary Romance: Long!“A sparkling debut.” —Entertainment Weekly“Vibrantly written.” —The Washington PostThe first in a si... read more
IN THIS BATTLE OF WITSLady Lucy Upton's tongue may be too sharp to attract suitors but her heart is good, and when her painfully shy friend Cassandra needs help she devises a brilliant scheme to help her discourage an unwanted suitor, the Duke of Claringdon. L... read more
A frightfully good time! Dive into these Halloween novellas from bestselling authors Tijan, J. Daniels, Helena Hunting, Bella Jewel and Tara Sivec. Featuring stories set in the worlds of their popular series. Tijan’s Fallen Crest crew are back for a weekend of... read more
Spring has come to Eternity Springs in The First Kiss of Spring, the newest installment in this New York Times bestselling series by Emily March.Life could be a dream...Goal-oriented and gorgeous, Caitlin Timberlake's dreams took her to the top of the corporat... read more
An innocent night of fun takes a shocking turn in Not That I Could Tell, the next page-turner from Jessica Strawser. When a group of neighborhood women gathers, wine in hand, around a fire pit where their backyards meet one Saturday night, most of them are jus... read more
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