Lauren Wise

Lauren Wise – Editor

Award-winning developmental & line editor; She Writes Press associate publisher. 20+ years on collaborative edits for memoir & fiction.

Overview

I have worked in almost every facet of the book publishing industry, but my knowledge and passion really shine as an editor and publishing consultant. I have worked as an associate publisher at She Writes Press (distribution via Simon & Schuster) for 11 years, and have knowledge on book publicity, different publishing models, types of editing, and more. I've spoken at conferences on writing, editing and publishing include IBPA PubU, PubWest, Women Writing the West, Women in Publishing, and more. I love helping shepherd stories out into the world!

The way I work with authors is very collaborative. It's important to me that authors fully understand why edits are made and a transparent view of the world of editing and book publishing. I can work via email, phone or zoom, and want to make an author feel comfortable that we are together bringing their manuscript to its most beautiful and professional, no matter the genre.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Inspirational Self-Help & Self-Improvement Travel
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Fiction New Adult Psychological Thriller
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • 2022 Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40
  • 2019 Benjamin Franklin Indie Publisher of the Year - She Writes Press
Certifications
  • Chicago Manual of Style Editing Certification
  • 2025 IBPA Book Awards Judge - Body, Mind, Spirit
  • 2026 IBPA Book Awards Judge - Best New Fiction
  • PubWest Board of Directors, 2023-2025
  • IBPA Indie Authors/Publishers Advocacy Committee - 2023-2026

Work experience

She Writes Press and SparkPress

Mar, 2015 — Present
Oversee 30-40 authors (ranging from children’s and YA to fiction and memoir) each season through all stages of the publishing process, including cover design, proofreading, metadata, interior design, back cover copy, distribution, etc. ♦ Imprints are recognized as two of highest awarded indie publishers with 1700+ finalist and gold medal titles.

Self-employed

Feb, 2010 — Present
♦ Worked as an editor on 200+ books, several of which have won publishing awards. ♦ Created four 50+ step-by-step publishing guides as saleable publishing consultation products for sale on the website. ♦ Received dozens of referrals and multiple repeat authors over 10 years.

Portfolio

The Pink Dress: A Memoir of a Reluctant Beauty Queen

Botkin, Jane Little

She Writes Press

Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review Book Coaching
Copy Editing
Braided: A Journey of a Thousand Challahs

Ricanati MD, Beth

She Writes Press

Copy Editing
Proofreading
The Parrot's Perch: A Memoir

Keilt, Karen

She Writes Press

Query Letter Review
Copy Editing
The Sound Between The Notes: A Novel

Probst, Barbara Linn

She Writes Press

Editorial Assessment
The Charismatics

Carlson, Ashley R.

Utopia Publishing

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading Query Letter Review
The Grandest Garden: A Novel

Carroll, Gina L.

SparkPress

Proofreading
Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh

Fernandez, Joan

She Writes Press

Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
SLED: The Serendipitous Life of Edward Diethrich

Edward B. Diethrich

Orange Frazer Pr

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Tasa's Song: A Novel

Kass, Linda

She Writes Press

Copy Editing
Proofreading
Editorial Assessment
Proofreading
Proofreading
He Gets That from Me: A Novel

Friedland, Jacqueline

SparkPress

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Big Wild Love: The Unstoppable Power of Letting Go

Sherer Murray, Jill

She Writes Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Purple Lotus: A Novel

Rao, Veena

She Writes Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The River Remembers: A Novel

Ulleseit, Linda

She Writes Press

Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Bessie: A Novel

Kass, Linda

She Writes Press

Query Letter Review
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Faith, Family, Friends, and Fried Chicken

Perguson, Sherry-Marie

AbbottPress

Developmental Editing
Proofreading
Wendy Darling: Volume 1: Stars

Oakes, Colleen

SparkPress

Copy Editing
So Close

McLaughlin, Emma

SparkPress

Proofreading
Copy Editing
The Seller of Secrets: A Memoir

Morgan, Kathleen Rose

She Writes Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Stark Beauty of Last Things: A Novel

Keating, Céline

She Writes Press

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Query Letter Review
The Girl Who Ruined Christmas

Callaghan, Cindy

SparkPress

Query Letter Review
The Garden of Second Chances: A Novel

Alvarado Frazier, Mona

SparkPress

Copy Editing
From Innocence to Mafia

Pedrin, Alex

A Book's Mind

Developmental Editing
Editorial Assessment
Attribution: A Novel

Moore, Linda

She Writes Press

Editorial Assessment

Lauren has 29 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bob G.

Bob G.

Sep, 2026

There are many editors to choose from in this world, but for me there is only one – Lauren Wise. From Chicago-style ellipses to dangling modifiers, set-piece action and momentum trims she catches every little thing that you as an author might have missed. Authors find themselves busy enough with...
Read more
Lauren W.
Bob, I am literally laughing and tearing up simultaneously at this review! I am so happy that you found all my feedback and edits helpful. Always here for any questions you may have about edits or ...
Read more
Yeng H.

Yeng H.

Sep, 2026

Thank you! Lauren did a wonderful job.
Lauren W.
Thank you!
David C.

David C.

Aug, 2026

Five stars aren't enough. Know how you read an author's note at the end of the book, and they repeatedly thank and compliment their editor for such remarkable work? I never really understood how that was possible ... until I began working with Lauren. From the jump, she was unparalleled in her...
Read more
Lauren W.
David, this review made my week! Thank you so much for the kind words and PLEASE let me know when your book is published so I can buy a copy. I'm so happy that my feedback and editing was helpful t...
Read more
Mark B.

Mark B.

Aug, 2026

I'm extremely happy with the work and care Lauren put in on her insightful, thorough and professional editorial assessment of my first draft memoir. I have a great appreciation for her professionalism and patience as well, for managing my inexperience. I look forward to working with her again aft...
Read more
Lauren W.
Thank you, Mark!
Sasha M.

Sasha M.

Aug, 2026

Working with Lauren has been great. I commissioned an editorial assessment and it was detailed, professional, thoughtful and motivating. I still have a long way to go but thanks to Lauren I have a much clearer roadmap. I look forward to continue working with her on my project.
Lauren W.
Thank you, Sasha! Your book is a gem!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Lauren and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Most recent contributions

Do you feel the EFA's resources justify the membership fee? Why or why not?

If you treat membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association as a business expense—complete with ROI tracking—the annual fee is easy to justify. For roughly the cost of one well‑paid billable hour (about $200), you unlock three high‑value assets: 1. A vetted job board. EFA clients tend to un...
Read more

How do you make sure that a freelancing opportunity is legit?

Freelance editors live by two mantras: trust your instincts and put protections in writing. My first safeguard is a clear contract that spells out scope, deliverables, timeline, and total fee—signed by both parties before I lift a red pen. To cement commitment, I require fifty percent of the invo...
Read more

What do you include in your offers to clients?

Every great manuscript carries a story behind the story—your lived experience, your creative spark, your goals for publication. My editorial partnership is designed to honor that depth while giving you concrete results, starting before a single invoice is sent. First, you’ll receive a compliment...
Read more

Professionals similar to Lauren

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Lisa G.

I have over 25 years of experience working with several major publishers copy editing and proofreading. I love the work. Let's collaborate

North Merrick, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile

Taylor P.

With over 25 years in literary publishing, I'm currently focused on the self-help genre. I'm also a practicing Zen Buddhist!

Pleasantville, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile

Elizabeth O.

Specializing in: literary fiction & memoir; thrillers, mysteries & romance. Titles edited for St. Martin’s, Flatiron & Bloom . . .

Apex, NC, USA

100% reply rate

View profile