Lisa Howard

Lisa Howard – Editor

Every sentence matters! My passion is helping your words shine, whether you're at the beginning of your project or you need a final polish.

Overview

I'm a freelance editor, writer, and book coach who enjoys using all aspects of my language background—writing, editing, teaching, translating, presenting, and language-learning—to help authors express their ideas with clarity and style. As someone who's been on both sides of the page, I'm sensitive to the needs of authors as they hone their ability to communicate clearly and effectively with their target audiences, whether that involves creating accessible and thought-provoking nonfiction or crafting novels with characters and plots that will keep readers up all night.

Areas of expertise:

NONFICTION
• Food & cookbooks (from culinary arts to food politics and everything in between)
• Health & wellness
• Personal development
• Relationships
• Travel
• Culture & anthropology
• Sustainability & environment
• Book proposals
• Book coaching

FICTION
• Science fiction
• Fantasy
• Historical fiction
• Women's fiction
• Adventure (especially novels set abroad)
Services
Non-Fiction
Career Guides Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Health & Wellbeing Home & Garden Self-Help & Self-Improvement Travel
Fiction
Fantasy Science Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2009 — Present

I'm a freelance editor and writer with degrees in Cultural Anthropology and German Language & Literature and a minor in Art History. During college, I studied at the Universität Oldenburg in Germany; later, I studied Spanish at Intercultura in Sámara (Costa Rica) and French at Lyon Bleu International in France. In addition to my foreign-language studies, I'm a certified ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor and have taught and translated in the US and abroad.

My editorial experiences include editing a variety of fiction and nonfiction projects as well as ghostwriting for individuals and and writing copy for marketing firms. Along with providing editorial assistance to individuals and publishers, I'm the author of two traditionally published books and dozens of magazine articles. I also regularly present health-centered programs at libraries and community centers and speak at writing conferences about the conjoined arts of writing and editing.

Portfolio

Coconut oil and other alternative oils are a hot topic these days in the cooking world, especially after the news of extra-virgin olive oil fraud broke out, as described in Extra Virginity. More and more people are becoming wary of the typical processed and re... read more
Despite what many people might think a gluten-free diet can be just as unhealthy as the standard American diet (also known as SAD). This is due to the fact that most store-bought gluten-free items—as well as many recipes in gluten-free cookbooks—include refine... read more
From the East Side of Detroit Michigan to a 20 year Air Force veteran, Seth has genuinely flipped the script in explaining the art of strategic thinking in the Black Collar Mindset. In this, h... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Feeling stuck? Anxious? Stressed out? You’re not alone. In today’s fast-paced world, we’ve gotten used to feeling tense and overwhelmed. We want to enjoy our lives more, but many of us unconsc... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Finally, an introduction to wine that takes the stiffness out of wine and puts the joie de vivre back in. You don't need to memorize reams of data to feel in control when shopping or deciding ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Passion is what drives us to do our best work. Without it, we lack the motivation to get things done, let alone persist and succeed. When passion is channeled through the right pursuit, howeve... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
SELF-HELP/Personal GrowthEveryone needs a few key abilities to obtain success--seven, to be exact. The good news is that these abilities are available to us all. The 7 Key Abilities is a prove... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Chronic pain affects millions of people every day and is an invisible companion in households and workplaces across the country. It affects our sleep, our interactions with families and loved ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Quick, who comes to mind when I say “jerk”? Your ex? Your current partner? You? Letters to a J.E.R.K. - The No-Bullsh*t Guide to Relationships and Living a Life Meant™ is the straight-talk adv... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Take Charge: How To Achieve Lasting Health

Edison MD, Raymond C.

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The voice behind the popular grief podcast Coming Back: Conversations on Life After Loss puts pen to paper in her first book to create a powerful permission slip for anyone facing the devastat... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Young And Driven: Overdrive

Dr. Cortlan J. Wickliff Esq.

Young and Driven: Overdrive is a collection of Dr. Cortlan J. Wickliff, Esq.'s secrets to academic and professional success, including the lessons, exercises, and tools that have allowed him t... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Have you ever felt frightened or intimidated when out walking alone? Have you ever wondered what you should do if approached by an attacker? Have you ever worried about becoming yet another ho... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
What is a "good" man, today? Find out with these short chapters of insightful, witty, and research backed takeaways that define the characteristics, actions, and priorities of what makes a goo... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
We make things complicated. You hate your job? Stop doing it. Know you need to exercise and eat right to lose weight? Start doing it. Scared to leave the country and explore? Do it anyway. I h... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Art of Silence

Fatima Alexander

The Art of Silence is a masterpiece of contradictions. The title itself belies any advocacy of, any merit to, quiescence. The book is simultaneously a work of fiction and fact. The characters ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
This debut book inspired by real life follows Mia and J, two struggling tech co-founders, as they hit the road with J's disabled and aging dogs for a California road trip. Narrated by Mia, an ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
So we’re born here on earth right? We arrive with a complete lack of knowledge. There is no manual that we receive on how to operate life best or even what it’s all about. The knowledge we do ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Cooking and baking with cannabis used to be a guessing game. How much cannabis should you use? How strong will your edible be? What are the secrets to making great savory foods as well as swee... read more
Copy Editing
Arts Honor is a handbook written for those of you in the arts to help nourish your gift of creativity and to help you stay true to your muse. The promise to continue being creative is an honor... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Real Estate industry is overflowing with competition. There are 5 million agents nationwide and most are marketing themselves in common ubiquitous means. Every real estate agent gets phone cal... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Hormone imbalances impact men as well as women. Beginning at age 30, testosterone in men declines at a rate of 1%-3% per year. Accompanying this reduction are numerous health concerns ranging ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Discover simple ways to be happier in your everyday life with these hacks that encourage positive thinking to improve your mood and outlook in any situation.Everyone wants to be happier, but o... read more
Copy Editing
This quick, portable guide features more than 200 practical, effective ways to calm the mind, reduce stress, and erase tension in your body in less than five minutes.In 5-Minute Calm you’ll le... read more
Copy Editing
Passage 99

Janie Emaus

When Pleasure Sister, Caitlin, breaks a fundamental passage in The Manual, she is forced to examine her beliefs and make a choice which will forever change her life’s direction. Passage 99 is ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
DISCOVER places for:•Brilliant sunsets•Pivotal third dates•Ice-breaking first dates•“Making up after a fight” dates•Where to go if you don’t want the evening to endANDTHE MOST ELEGANT, SEDUCTI... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Ari's new book is the culmination of a lifetime of learning and thirty four years in business, the last three of which have been spent intensively studying, reflecting on, and writing about th... read more
Copy Editing
NO MORE MEDS

Dr. Corinne Weaver DC

Are you stressed out because your child keeps getting sick and you don’t know what steps to take?Are you sick of not getting answers from your doctor and always needing to drug your child?Is y... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
In 2051, commercial time travel became a global reality. Opportunities abounded for curious history buffs, futurists, and corrupt entrepreneurs. Selected Shorts and Other Methods of Time Trave... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
What do I eat? How do I cook healthy food? How do I shop for healthy food? The Guide to Healthy Eating will show you which foods are healthy and which food you should avoid. Furthermore, this ... read more
Copy Editing
The Skinny on Fats

Dr David Brownstein and Sheryl Shenefelt

The Skinny on Fats was written to educate you about the importance of consuming good sources of dietary fats. This book will teach you why we need fats and why we can't live without them. We w... read more
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Enlightened and insightful, Health Is in the Spirit by Claudia Burdick is essential reading for anyone that wants to take control of his, her, or their family’s health. It is a landmark indisp... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Modernist Bread: The Art and Science is a revolutionary new understanding of one of the most important staples of the human diet. Created by the team that published the award-winning Modernist... read more
Copy Editing
In this powerful and informative guide, Holistic Food Therapist Kelly Genzlinger, CNC, CMTA explains how sugar and refined carbohydrate dependency is not your fault, but stems from impaired bi... read more
Copy Editing

Lisa has 99 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Christopher B.

Christopher B.

Jan, 2024

A Stellar Collaborative Experience with Lisa Working with Lisa as the copywriter/proofreader for my debut book has been an absolute satisfaction. Her professionalism, dedication, and genuine aid have played a pivotal function in shaping my manuscript into a work of excellence. Lisa's professionalism stood out from the beginning of our collaboration. She approached the venture with a stage of ...
Read more
Austin D.

Austin D.

Jan, 2024

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Lisa on the editing of the first book I have written. In hindsight, this was an ambitious project to take on as a first book, and a self-published work at that. Lisa was very helpful in explaining the basic publishing process as well as some of the ins and outs of the cookbook business to this newbie. She explained what her process would be (that she would rev...
Read more
Marcus W.

Marcus W.

Jan, 2024

Always very helpful!
Cynthia H.

Cynthia H.

Dec, 2023

Lisa's edits definitely improved the quality of my manuscript. She caught many things that I simply could not see as the writer. Yes, I recommend her.
Patricia R.

Patricia R.

Dec, 2023

Working with Lisa on my manuscript was highly rewarding. Her professionalism and expertise were evident as she improved my work while preserving its essence. She offered valuable feedback on grammar, punctuation, Lisa respected my voice as an author, ensuring her edits didn't alter my style or message. She was responsive and collaborative throughout the process. Overall, Lisa's exceptional wor...
Read more

Sign up to read more reviews

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

Professionals similar to Lisa

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

Britny Perilli

Britny P.

Britny (she/they) is a YA fiction and pop culture non-fiction editor with over 5 years of traditional publishing experience.

Philadelphia, PA, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Meredith Bailey

Meredith B.

Writer, collaborative editor, and writing coach specializing in helping clients tell their best stories.

Bothell, WA, United States

100% reply rate

View profile
Art Kleiner

Art K.

Experienced editor/writer. My basic in-depth editorial coaching sessions give you the skills and help needed to bring your ideas to life.

New York, NY, USA

97% reply rate

View profile