Ivy L. James

Ivy L. James – Editor

Queer copy editor and proofreader specializing in adult genre fiction. I'm extra excited for romance and LGBTQIA+ stories!

Overview

I've been editing professionally for over 12 years, with both technical and creative works. In publishing, I spent 2 years with the former Astraea Press and am now working with Storm Publishing. I've offered freelance edits (line, copy, and proof) for manuscripts since January 2021, specializing in adult genre fiction. I've worked the most with romance, erotica, and fantasy. I'm especially excited to work with queer stories!

My focus is on clarity. I want to maintain your voice as the author while ensuring readers will understand what you're trying to say.

I default to Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster, but I'll use your preferred style guide and dictionary. I use US English myself, but I've worked with authors who use Canadian, British, and Australian English as well.

In my spare time, I read and write sapphic romance and poetry. I enjoy spending time with my spouse and our pets in Sedona, AZ.

Note: I do not use AI, and I prefer not to work with manuscripts generated by AI.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Fantasy LGBTQ Fiction Paranormal Romance Romantic Fantasy
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2021 — Present
I offer line edits, copyedits, and proofreading services for indie authors.

Storm Publishing

Oct, 2025 — Present
I provide copyedits and proofreading for the publisher.

Astraea Press

Jul, 2014 — May, 2015 (11 months)
I provided developmental edits, line/copy edits, and proofreading for the publisher.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
The Curse of the Crimson Crowns

Palazzolo, Angeleigh

Angeleigh Palazzolo

Copy Editing Proofreading
Dragon Born

Asher, Victoria

Desert Peacock Studio

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Show Me: Trevor's Story part 1

Alex, Mx.

Independently published

Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Her Blushing Hero (Sapphic Lady Knights)

Birch, Mariah Rae

Independently published

Copy Editing Proofreading
Her Lovely Champion (Sapphic Lady Knights)

Birch, Mariah Rae

Independently published

Copy Editing Proofreading
Her Pretty Knight (Sapphic Lady Knights)

Birch, Mariah Rae

Independently published

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing

Ivy L. has 12 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Harry M.

Harry M.

Mar, 2026

Pinned
Working with Ivy on my debut novel was an incredible experience. She was fast and responsive, but more importantly, she was deeply "in" the manuscript with me. Her attention to detail is extraordinary - she caught things I never would have spotted, and her feedback on everything from sentence flo...
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Ivy L. J.
Thank you so much, Harry! It was a pleasure to work with you.
Aimee C.

Aimee C.

Oct, 2026

Working with Ivy has been super helpful. She is very kind and was able to not only check my spelling or structure, but also point out how to make parts of my story way better. Considering she is the second editor I have worked with and I dropped her in the middle of a trilogy, she did amazing wor...
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Silraen F.

Silraen F.

Sep, 2026

Ivy was friendly, professional, and very pleasant to work with. Her edits were clear and useful, particularly when it came to making the prose sound more natural to a native English-speaking reader, which was one of the main reasons I sought out an editor in the first place. I am not a native Eng...
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Alberto S.

Alberto S.

Aug, 2026

I worked with several editors here in the platform, and by far I prefer working with Ivy. She is very knowledgeable and recommendations are very thoughtful, at the same time she does not impose her style. I already contracted her for a new editing project—the best proof of client’s satisfaction...
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Angela F.

Angela F.

Aug, 2026

Ivy did an excellent job of communicating throughout the project! She did a superb job editing my novel and really making it shine! Very professional, with clear and concise notes, and very thorough. Would love to work with again!

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