Joy Preble – Editor

With a number of published YA novels and short stories, as well as two picture books on the way, plus years of editing and teaching, I bring a wide variety of experiences and industry knowledge to every editing job. I have a fondness for coming of age stories, romance (especially if there's a cute meet or a cute pet or star-cross lovers), and romantic suspense, fairy tale retellings, time travel, and lighter sci fi and space opera. (If you guessed I cut my writerly teeth on everything from Star Trek to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly, you're right!) I also adore a good middle grade novel where the main character is figuring out how they fit into their world. If you're telling a good story, I'm excited to work with you, whether you are established or just starting out!

As an editor, I will always tell you what's working in your manuscript as well as gently let you know what still needs addressing. Regardless of genre, we will focus on the basics: Plotting and pacing, setting, voice, point of view, and character development. These are the key elements that make a story work, and I want to see your books shine and sell!

Praise from authors I’ve worked with:

With her intuitive sense of story and character, her knowledge and experience writing and editing marketable fiction, and a facility for guiding with patience, insight, and kindness, Joy is the kind of editor I love having as part of my pre-submission team.”—Colleen Thompson, author of Fatal Error

I have been lucky enough to have Joy edit several of my works-in-progress. She is truly gifted at pinpointing what it takes to move a story from “so-so” to “wow.” She is great at making helpful suggestions that will work for your current manuscript, but can also be applied to future work. In short, Joy’s feedback has made my manuscripts better, and I believe has made me a better writer!—Christina Mandelski, author of The First Kiss Hypothesis

Joy’s insights have inspired me and encouraged me to take successful risks I might not have attempted otherwise. She’s a rare editor find as she has extensive teaching experience, publishing credentials as an accomplished author, and bookseller insights. Joy is also full of wit, creativity, and kindness which makes working with her, well, an absolute joy.—Jessica Lee Anderson, author of Naomi Nash: Saving Snakes