Janet Gyenes

Janet Gyenes – Editor

Storytelling is my passion. A longtime editor and award-winning writer, I help authors connect, compel and entertain. (Authors 18+ only.)

Overview

I’m a longtime editor and award-winning writer and photographer with 20-plus years of experience creating and editing content for sectors ranging from travel and education to fintech, real estate, and fiction. Not all editors are strong writers (just as writers are not always good at self-editing), but my skill set in crafting everything from magazine articles (front-of-book, listicles, profiles, features) and ads to case studies and UX copy has helped me understand the critical role of the audience and the power of making every word count.


Whether editing books or writing articles, I'm a dedicated generalist who loves to fall down the rabbit hole to discover a new subject matter and bring my curiosity, creativity and clarity to the work. As an editor, I've taken deep dives into shaping book manuscripts (the largest a 300,000-word nonfiction treatise) managing all facets of magazines (both consumer and trade), and developing content strategies to help people and projects get noticed. There’s no limit to my desire to constantly learn. That's led to me working with clients and companies around the world, including Lonely Planet, Capgemini, Ogilvy, Culture Trip, USA Today, CBC, and others.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Contemporary Fiction Short Story Thriller & Suspense
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Design Travel
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • NATJA: “The Gaucho Way,” photography: illustration–print category
  • NATJA: “The Deep Dive: Baijiu Tasting,” culinary travel category
  • NATJA: “The Gaucho Way,” cultural travel—print publication category
  • NATJA: “Light and Shadow in Siem Reap,” arts and culture category
  • NATJA: “Local Infusion,” culinary travel category
  • NATJA: “Water World,” illustrated story category
  • NATJA:“Force of Nature,” cultural, educational, self-improvement category
  • NATJA: “Escher’s Atrani,” photography—cover photo, illustration category
  • NATJA: "Earth, Straw, and Cultural Revival in America’s Oldest Capital City," cultural travel category
Certifications
  • Bachelor of arts degree
  • Google analytics (basic and advanced) certification
  • Courses in content writing, social media, digital media

Work experience

Published by Cedar Mill Press, an imprint of HarperCollins Focus

Jun, 2022 — Mar, 2023 (9 months)

Cedar Mill Press commissioned me to write this forthcoming book (to be released in August 2023), the first Canadian city featured in the "city cocktail" series, joining metropolises including Tokyo, London, New York, Paris, and San Francisco, among others. My role involved sourcing more than 100 cocktail recipes (and accompanying photos) from establishments across the city, including distilleries, developing the framework for each chapter, and writing chapter introductions, recipe blurbs, and so forth.

Self-employed

Jan, 2003 — Present

For one of my ongoing contracts, I'm a freelance book editor and copywriter for a self-publishing company. I work remotely to deliver editorial support to the publisher's authors, assessing the quality and marketability of fiction and nonfiction manuscripts (everything children’s books, cookbooks and novels to memoirs and treatises written by PhDs), recommending the level of editorial service (e.g., developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading), and delivering services aligned with professional standards set out by the Editors’ Association of Canada. I also write marketing content, such as back cover blurbs and author profiles. My expertise in style guides includes Chicago Manual of Style, Canadian Press Style, APA, and MLA.

Portfolio

When Dennis Pemble was a kid, he never dreamed of becoming a wildlife control officer. After struggling in school because of a learning disability and being bullied by classmates, Pemble finally found his footing after discovering his aptitude for trapping coy... read more
How do you cope with the “day after” of regret that’s left your head feeling like someone dropped an anvil on it? Do you wonder how you passed out without your pants on (again)?We’ve all been there, regretting that extra glass (okay, bottle) of rosé or thinkin... read more
Trench

Freedman, Daniel

South Bentinck Summer

Gauthier, Alvin

Janet has 32 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Hector D.

Hector D.

Feb, 2024

I chose Janet because she seemed the best choice to work with and after working with her I confirm she is great! Thank you!!!
Glenn K.

Glenn K.

Feb, 2024

The first thing I liked about Janet was her professionalism during the search process. It was clear that she had a method and a structure. She provided a sheet that detailed her services and how they were priced. For each service she laid out how the collaboration would work, what I should expect from her and what she needed from me to make is successful. The next thing I liked was that eve...
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Louis N.

Louis N.

Dec, 2023

Janet's copy editing was not only very competent but went beyond the call of duty -- she also made a valuable developmental suggestions.
Marc D.

Marc D.

Dec, 2023

Janet wrote a great blurb for my novel. Thanks Janet!
Mark N.

Mark N.

Nov, 2023

Janet is a great collaborator. She is very professional and knowledgeable and gives thoughtful notes that have helped my process. I’m very excited to continue my professional relationship with Janet. She is also very friendly and makes communication very easy. I highly recommend!

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