James Powell - Editor

Editing has always been one of my super powers.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a capable writer. I've enjoyed writing since I was a kid, when I first tried to mimic the style of Edgar Rice Burroughs. And while my stories received solid feedback from teachers, editing was where I truly excelled.

I've always had a knack for helping others make their stories better. And for me, all writing is a story, whether it be an email, a technical manual, a novel, or a comic script. Perhaps even more importantly, I don't just point out errors. Instead, like a good teacher or coach, I enjoy helping writers improve their skills.

While I provide quality copyediting and proofreading, my strongest skills are found in developmental editing. I excel at pointing out where the pacing falters, pinpointing themes that might make the story more engaging, and noting inconsistencies in tone or characterization.

As a freelance editor, I'm passionate about genre fiction, such as horror, sword and sorcery, pulp fiction, and crime. I also enjoy writing comics for middle grade readers, and I'm immersed in that area of the publishing world.

I've been a professional writer and editor since college, first working on small-town newspapers, then moving over to the corporate world where I edited technical manuals for business such as HP and Boeing. Through it all, I've maintained strong connections to my one true love: editing fiction.

As a freelance editor, I've edited 100s of novels, short stories, and comic scripts. I've worked with seasoned veterans and aspiring writers just starting out on their journey. And I look forward to helping you deliver the best story you've ever written.

Here are a few comments from previous clients:

“James Powell is one of the best editors I’ve ever worked with. He is insightful and has a talent for pin-pointing issues you may be too close to see yourself. He’ll make you work for it, but by the time you’re done, he’ll have helped you craft the best version of your manuscript.”
—Brandon Barrows, author of The Castle-Town Tragedy (Dunhams Manor Press)

“James is the sort of editor who can catch those structural problems you overlook because you’ve been down in the weeds too long and you’re too familiar with the material, but more importantly, like the best editors, he understands that the editorial process is a conversation between the writer and editor to make the work the best it can be. You can’t ask for more than that.”
—Charles Barnitz, author of The Deepest Sea (Roc Books)

“James understands, from the get-go, what I’m trying to express—oft times before I truly do. His down to earth approach, conjoined with an eagle-eye for detail, is an ideal combination. He listens to what I say and write then manages to find the idyllic middle ground. My writing has unquestionably benefited greatly from his expertise.”
—Charles Filius, author of Selections from on a Wing and a Prayer