Michelle Meade

Michelle Meade – Editor

Developmental Editor with 10+ years in-house experience. Specialties: WF, Romance, Thriller, Sci-fi/fantasy, Upmarket. Booking: WINTER 2024.

Overview

During the decade I spent editing in-house, I’ve worked with both debut writers and New York Times bestselling authors from a wide variety of genres, including book club and women’s fiction, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. Since launching my freelance business, I’ve helped countless clients sharpen their narratives and get ready for submissions or self-publication.


One of the reasons authors look to work with me specifically is because of my ability to help them sharpen their story into something utterly captivating, tension-filled, and sellable. There’s nothing more satisfying than pinpointing the heart of a story and helping to flesh that out into a novel that has readers eagerly turning the pages. I put extra emphasis on emotion, character arcs, and story structure, and my clients know that I’m supportive but honest, ensuring my feedback guides you through revisions that will bring out the very best version of your book.


What I offer is more than just an edit of your manuscript. You’ll walk away feeling energized and eager to dive back into your story, with the confidence to approach revisions and tackle any issues that have been holding your writing back until now.


Ready to get started? So am I.



TESTIMONIALS


“I’ve worked with Michelle on 4 novels and am grateful for her eagle-eye editing skills and her ability to elevate the story, while still allowing the writer’s voice to shine through. Michelle is professional, enthusiastic, and so easy to work with– my books would not be the bestsellers they are without her feedback and valuable input!”

– KARMA BROWN bestselling author of COME AWAY WITH ME & RECIPE FOR A PERFECT WIFE


“Michelle gave edits with smart, surgical precision: simple ways to tighten and tweak things that everyone prior had overlooked, from my agent to my award-winning critique partner. It made so much sense, yet she had the superpower to look on a level beyond everyone else — and she conveyed the logic so effectively that executing the edits was straightforward. I am forever indebted to her and recommend her brilliance to anyone.”

–MIKE CHEN, NYT Bestselling author of HERE AND NOW AND THEN & STAR WARS: BROTHERHOOD



“Insightful, whip-smart, highly imaginative and with stellar communication skills, Michelle is a dream editor who knows exactly how to make you get the best out of your manuscript. Collaborating with her has been a highlight of my writing career thus far, and I recommend her services without hesitation or reservation. If you want your story to shine and stand out from the rest, talk to Michelle now.”

–HANNAH MARY MCKINNON, author of THE NEIGHBORS & HER SECRET SON


Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Fantasy Horror LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Time Travel Women's Fiction
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Certificate in Publishing
  • Honours Bachelor of Arts, English/Philosophy

Work experience

Self-employed

Feb, 2019 — Present

Professional editor of novels at Michelle M. Reads, offering a variety of editorial services for writers looking to self-publish or who are preparing their manuscripts for submission.

Mira Books, Harlequin/HarperCollins

Jun, 2011 — Aug, 2018 (about 7 years)

As an editor with Mira Books, a trade publishing imprint of Harlequin/HarperCollins, I acquired and edited a number of books across a wide range of genres. I've worked with debut to bestselling authors, helping to hone their craft and shape their books into commercial successes.

Harlequin Enterprises

Mar, 2010 — May, 2011 (about 1 year)

As a proofreader I worked on novels from all imprints of the Harlequin brand, including their full range of series romance imprints and their trade imprints.

HarperCollins Canada

Jun, 2009 — Aug, 2009 (2 months)

I completed a summer internship with HarperCollins Canada in 2009.

Knopf Canada

Jun, 2008 — Aug, 2008 (2 months)

I completed a summer internship at Knopf Canada while working on my publishing certificate from Ryerson University.

Portfolio

"She's the female Nicholas Sparks." — Redbook magazineFollowing her bestselling debut novel Come Away with Me, Karma Brown returns with an unforgettable story that explores the intricate dynam... read more
Developmental Editing
"Spellbinding."—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl and Pretty Baby"Disturbing…provocative." —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling authorCritically acclaim... read more
Developmental Editing
One woman is about to discover everything she believes—knows—to be true about her life…isn’t.After hitting her head, Lucy Sparks awakens in the hospital to a shocking revelation: the man she’s... read more
Developmental Editing
The Luxury of Time Travel

Lujan, Christelle

Developmental Editing
The President Show

Casati, Costanza

Developmental Editing
Her Secret Son

Hannah Mary McKinnon

How far would you go to protect the ones you love…when they may not be yours to protect?When Josh’s longtime partner, Grace, dies in a tragic accident, he is left with a mess of grief—and full... read more
Developmental Editing
How do you start over after the end of the world?"Not just an apocalyptic thriller, but also a timely reminder of what is most important in life―family, love, and hope.” ―Peng Shepherd, author... read more
Developmental Editing
From New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent comes a richly imagined, provocative new series set in the dark mythology of the Menagerie… When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling ... read more
Developmental Editing
The Neighbors

Hannah Mary McKinnon

Abby looks forward to meeting the family who just moved in across the street—until she realizes they’re the one couple who could expose her deepest secretsAfter a night of fun back in 1992, Ab... read more
Developmental Editing
“Her scream echoes in my memory. I know what happened. Whether anyone believes me or not, I know.”Sean Suh is done with killing. After serving three years in a psychiatric prison, he’s determi... read more
Developmental Editing
To save his daughter, he’ll go anywhere—and any-when…Kin Stewart is an everyday family man: working in IT, trying to keep the spark in his marriage, struggling to connect with his teenage daug... read more
Developmental Editing
"Fans of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love will flock to this novel ." —Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life ListAn unexpected journey leads one woman to find hope and healing in the most ... read more
Developmental Editing
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Eo-N

Mason, Dave

Developmental Editing
The Undoing

Averil Dean

On a bitter January evening, three people are found murdered in the isolated Blackbird hotel. Best friends since childhood, Eric, Rory and Celia have always been inseparable. Together they've ... read more
Developmental Editing
With haunting prose and deft psychological insight, Averil Dean spins a chilling story that explores the dark corners of obsession—love, pain and revenge. Ten years ago, someone ruined Alice C... read more
Developmental Editing
The Lovesick Cure

Pamela Morsi

For Jesse Winsloe, the answer is clear: head into hiding. Single again and laid off from work, Jesse flees to Onery Cabin to lick her wounds with her ancient aunt Will—a Granny woman with the ... read more
Developmental Editing
Love Overdue

Pamela Morsi

Meet Dorothy Jarrow: devotedly unsexy librarian Buttoned-up book lover DJ is all sensible shoes, drab skirts and studious glasses. After an ill-advised spring-break-fueled fling left her morti... read more
Developmental Editing
www.PamelaMorsi.comNo More Mr. Nice Guy Like a bad-choice-making boomerang, Mazy Gulliver has returned to her mom's tiny house in Brandt Mountain. But this time, she's got her teenage son, Tru... read more
Developmental Editing
Return to the fan-favorite town of Icicle Falls with the final installment in bestselling author Sheila Roberts’ treasured seriesWhen Muriel Sterling released her new book, A Guide to Happy Ho... read more
Developmental Editing
USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts returns with a brand-new series set on the charming Washington coastOnce happily married, Jenna Jones is about to turn forty, and this year for her ... read more
Developmental Editing
Join USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts for a seaside escape to the beaches of Moonlight HarborCeleste Jones has plans for a perfect summer with her boyfriend (and hopefully soon-to-b... read more
Developmental Editing
USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts takes readers on a wintry trip to the harbor in her latest holiday novel…The town of Moonlight Harbor needs to convince tourists that the beach is s... read more
Developmental Editing
Hold Me Close

Megan Hart

Apart, they are broken, but together, they are whole Effie and Heath are famous. Not for anything they did, but for what happened to them as teenagers. Abducted and abused by the same man, the... read more
Developmental Editing
The Rose

Tiffany Reisz

Bestselling author Tiffany Reisz returns with an imaginative tale of lust and magic, and the dangers unleashed when the two are combined…On the day of Lia’s university graduation party, her pa... read more
Developmental Editing
The Lucky Ones

Tiffany Reisz

They called themselves “the lucky ones” They were seven children either orphaned or abandoned by their parents and chosen by legendary philanthropist and brain surgeon Dr. Vincent Capello to l... read more
Developmental Editing
CRISIS IN THE SKIES Pilots with no control… High above the Adirondack Mountains, a commuter flight to New York City turns into a rolling, twisting nightmare, plunging from the sky before the c... read more
Developmental Editing
New York Times bestselling romance author Jude Deveraux continues her breakout Medlar Mystery series with a twisted tale of guilt and revenge…The small town of Lachlan, Florida, was rocked las... read more
Developmental Editing
Life of Lies

Sharon Sala

Fame, fortune…and a fatal obsessionSahara Travis is used to being worshipped by adoring fans, but now someone is fixated on her in a dangerous way. After multiple attempts on her life, she rel... read more
Developmental Editing
Sometimes fate brings you together…only to tear you apartGrowing up in the foster system, Quinn O’Meara made a point of never getting involved. But when she discovers a crying baby amid a fier... read more
Developmental Editing
In Shadows

Sharon Sala

To protect her, he must remain a ghost…Jack McCann has been in love with Shelly since they were teens. They married just out of college and right before he went to work as an undercover agent ... read more
Developmental Editing
Sam and Haley Quaid buried their ten-year-old son and then ended their marriage, all in one week. It wasn’t a volatile divorce, but three years later, except for trading Christmas cards, Sam a... read more
Developmental Editing
New York Times bestselling romance author Jude Deveraux makes her debut in the world of mystery with a story of old secrets, deadly grudges and an improbable group of friends who are determine... read more
Developmental Editing
New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux returns with the highly anticipated third installment in her beloved Summerhouse series, where three women have the coveted opportunity to answe... read more
Developmental Editing
The Fragile World

Paula Treick DeBoard

From the author of stunning debut The Mourning Hours comes a powerful new novel that explores every parent's worst nightmare… The Kaufmans have always considered themselves a normal, happy fam... read more
Developmental Editing
Magic, fate and hope collide in the stunning conclusion of New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent’s acclaimed Menagerie trilogy…1986: Rebecca Essig leaves a slumber party early but c... read more
Developmental Editing
In this riveting sequel to New York Times bestselling author Rachel Vincent’s acclaimed novel Menagerie, Delilah Marlow will discover that there is no crueler cage than the confines of the hum... read more
Developmental Editing
Bestselling author Karma Brown is back with a morally infused and emotionally riveting exploration of one woman's guilt over an unexpected—yet avoidable—tragedy Meg Pepper has a fulfilling car... read more
Developmental Editing

Michelle has 42 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Vivica M.

Vivica M.

May, 2023

Pinned
Michelle is a godsend! This was my very first experience working with an editor, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. She was professional, effective, and quick! The advice she has given me is exactly what I need to really make my story shine. For example, Michelle helped me identify areas of the story where information didn't make sense - things that I had accidentally left from ...
Read more
Scott H.

Scott H.

Jul, 2022

Pinned
Michelle helped propel my manuscript to a whole new level. She understood the goal of the story, the characters, and the plot, which made her comments on point and specific to my project and focused me on what readers want and need to enjoy my story. Her developmental edit letter gave me a roadmap with clear examples and suggestions to vastly improve the premise, voice, characterization, stru...
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Christine U.

Christine U.

Nov, 2019

Pinned
Michelle is a brilliant editor. Her knowledge of the shape and structure of storytelling is exceptional. She reached into a quagmire of timelines, characters, competing stories, and difficult writing style and pulled out the real story with very clear and helpful suggestions as to how to rework it all. I would happily work with her again and recommend her to anyone who needs any kind of editing...
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Ernie O.

Ernie O.

Oct, 2024

I expected to have Michelle point at the weak spots in my manuscript... she did that, and so much more. She explained what the problem was, gave the logic behind the deficiency, and provided a possible course of action. For an editorial assessment, what I received when far beyond my expectations.
Hannah S.

Hannah S.

Jun, 2024

I absolutely loved working with Michelle! She is very professional and is an expert in her craft. Her insight and expertise has been essential to pushing my project forward, and I am so grateful!

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