Jacoba Lawson

Jacoba Lawson – Editor

Specialist in nonfiction of all kinds and outdoorsy fiction. Bring me your natural histories, your kayak treatises, your adventures stories.

Overview

I believe mutual respect and trust are the keys to successful collaboration, whether I'm helping writers develop their ideas or giving a completed manuscript the final polish that really makes it sparkle.

Are you an expert in your field with knowledge to share but limited experience writing for a general audience? I specialize in ensuring readers connect with your work. I've helped radio hosts capture their voices on the page, herpetologists write warmly about their cold-blooded subjects, and trial lawyers communicate in plain English.

I also delight in working with fiction writers to create the same grounded sense of sure-handed expertise expected from nonfiction, but in service of amazing stories. My first career was in television writing and film production, and I never tire of applying the principles of narrative, structure, and character it taught me to a medium free from budgets, casting, and other production constraints. The thing that has always been most important to me is working with writers to get their stories told, and told well.

And now, a word from some past clients regarding what it’s like to work with me:

"Jacoba has a fine sense of how to make me better, challenge me when I need it but don’t want to admit it, and make creative suggestions that I would never have considered. Real test is would I ask for her in the future? She would be my first choice." Roger Dodd, The Art of Cross-Examination

"I always know I am in good hands with Jacoba. She is both careful in her attention and highly articulate as an editor of complex writing projects. She thinks about books at all levels: as a reader, a writer, and an editor. If you are prone to working in a guarded way with editors and publishers, you will be delighted to find in Jacoba a compassionate advocate, a discerning guide, and an inspiring collaborator." Brian K. Friesen, At the Waterline
Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Non-Fiction
Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences History Home & Garden Law Nature Travel
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Timber Press

Oct, 2017 — Present

Timber Press is world-renowned as a gardening publisher, but we also publish books on subjects ranging from natural history to hiking guides to homeopathic remedies. My projects have included photo-heavy how-to and guide books like Wild LA and Fat Girls Hiking as well as more literary and narrative works like Writing Wild and A History of the Human Brain.

Trial Guides

Apr, 2016 — Sep, 2017 (over 1 year)

Trial Guides specializes in books that help plaintiffs' lawyers hone their craft and win at trial. Throughout my time there, I found myself in awe of our authors' knowledge and experience and honored to help them communicate it to their peers.

Ooligan Press

Sep, 2015 — Jun, 2017 (over 1 year)

Ooligan Press is dedicated to publishing authors and stories from the Pacific Northwest.

Portfolio

In Writing Wild, Kathryn Aalto celebrates 25 women, both historical and current, whose influential writing helps deepen our connection to and understanding of the natural world. These inspiring wordsmiths are scholars, spiritual seekers, conservationists, scie... read more
Wild LA: Explore the Amazing Nature in and Around Los Angeles

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

“Put on your hiking shoes, pack your binoculars, and rediscover the City of Angels.” —Westways Magazine Los Angeles may have a reputation as a concrete jungle, but in reality, it's full of amazing wildlife. You just need to know where to find it! Equal parts n... read more
Premises Liability
Garden with the confidence of a winner! Proven Winners is America’s #1 plant brand. And now they are sharing their expert plant knowledge and creative design ideas in their first book, The Proven Winners Garden Book. This definitive guide starts with lessons o... read more
“This luscious, photo-filled guide will inspire you with one hundred easy-to-implement tips.” —Garden & Gun​ Gardening doesn’t have to be difficult, and expert gardener Kate Frey makes it easier than ever. Ground Rules distills the vital lessons of gardening i... read more
At the Waterline

Brian K. Friesen

One windy night on the Willamette River, a young man with romantic notions of a sailing life crashes his boat into a railroad bridge, nearly killing his wife. Divorced, ashamed, and haunted by the tragedy, Chad tries to leave the river and its memories behind,... read more
“This incredible, in-depth, and easy-to-access resource is a must for all of us who wish to learn more about healing ourselves through the plant world.” —Shiva Rose, actress, activist, and founder of The Local Rose JJ Pursell, the bestselling author of The Her... read more
While there are a handful of books written for people facing a lawsuit, none are as heavily endorsed by some of the best trial lawyers in America as The Lawsuit Guide. The advice it gives comes from lawyers who have prepared and brought numerous cases to trial... read more
“An informative and celebratory resource.” —Booklist In this beautiful and empowering book, Jennifer Jewell—host of public radio’s award-winning program and podcast Cultivating Place—introduces 75 inspiring women. Working in wide-reaching fields that include b... read more
“The secret to making the most of later life is to keep doing what you love. With practical advice and gentle inspiration, Gattone shows us how gardening can work for people of any age.” —Carl Honoré, author of In Praise of Slowness You can keep gardening for ... read more
A Love of Nature Starts Here! California kids live in a magnificent natural playground, and 50 Hikes with Kids California helps them explore its beaches, deserts, mountains, and forests. Scavenger hunts for every hike make it fun for families to learn about th... read more
It’s 1960. In a small logging town called Calamus that’s about as far in the middle of nowhere as you can get, Wade Curren, star of the high school baseball and football teams, is content living out his role of local hero, holding court in the corner booth of ... read more

Jacoba has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ron H.

Ron H.

Nov, 2021

Jacoba has been excellent to work with.
Ron H.

Ron H.

Nov, 2021

Jacoba is a true professional. Skillful, thorough, and articulate in her recommendations. She is a pleasure to work with.
Melody M.

Melody M.

Apr, 2021

This is my first ever experience with making a book and collaborating with an editor. I am amazed at the insight, creativity, and thoughtful suggestions/edits provided by Jacoba. I felt like she transitioned my 'raw' material into a polished and engaging manuscript. Her communication style is open and engaging. I couldn't be happier with her strategic, yet detailed assistance.
Scott S.

Scott S.

Jan, 2021

Jacoba did an outstanding job with the manuscript evaluation of my book. She gave the manuscript a thorough review and delivered a spot-on analysis of its strengths and weaknesses, which she communicated to me in a clear, upfront manner. Her pricing was very fair as well. I highly recommend Jacoba for editorial projects.

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