Jessie Campbell – Editor

Previously a freelance editor, I launched a full-service editing services company and lead a team of diverse, talented developmental editors, copyeditors, and proofreaders to serve my rapidly growing client list. We’re a small but dedicated team with combined editing experience across nearly all genres of both fiction and nonfiction, as well as web content editing and book blurb writing from roles at publishing houses as well as BookBub (though our clients do not receive special treatment regarding BookBub services). I am passionate about what I do, and my industry know-how goes far beyond grammar.

A burgeoning South African independent book publisher partnered with me in early 2016, and I edit new releases by indie powerhouses Adrienne Woods and Kristin Ping, as well as other authors at that house like Isabella White, Melissa Kate, and more. Our relationship is long-standing, constant, and built on trust and excellence. It’s far from transactional.

One of my proudest achievements is a client who found me after having published more than ten books. Despite paying hard-earned money to an editor, the author was plagued by nasty reviews on Goodreads and Amazon—which was especially confounding given that her series had developed a fiercely loyal fan base. She’ll tell anyone who asks her that the trolls shut up when she decided to find a new editor… and we started working together. She’s gone on to publish several USA Today bestsellers that I had the honor of editing. We work together to this day.

I work with BookBub and Chirp book data, build deal emails, manage content for audiobooks venture, proofread book blurbs, assemble emails to millions of members, proof partner and reader blogs, and much more. BookBub is considered the gold standard in ebook marketing and my wealth of knowledge from years of working on the front lines of their product extends beyond simple email marketing. I have natural expertise in publisher descriptions, genre audience expectations, cover trends, and much more. Also, audiobooks are exploding right now, and my back-end presence on the Chirp team from day one has given me unparalleled insight into that world.

I worked as an intern in the largest independent book published in the US South. Because it is a small organization, I saw the full scope of editorial duties, including acquisitions.

- Edited full book manuscripts—both copyediting and developmental editing.
- Provided substantive edits on full books to be released in the coming season, including two adult nonfiction books and several children’s picture books.
- Proofread typeset copy and edited book projects.
- Evaluated manuscripts under consideration before they went to the editorial board.
- Sat in on, and sometimes led, talent management meetings to help guide authors through the editorial process.
- Reviewed rough and final art for accuracy, consistency, and style.
- Proofread typeset books for missed errors at a late stage.

I have edited hundreds of manuscripts through my writing groups. My first short story publication (of many) was in 2008. I've been a panelist and insider at UTOPiAcon since its inception in 2012. I wrote and shelved two novels—epic fantasy followed by historical fiction—so I have an intimate understanding of the grueling process you just went through writing your book as well as the ins and outs of world-building and intricate research (and the perils of the dreaded info-dump).