Maria D'Marco - Editor
Kansas City, MO, United States
Empathetic Developmental Editor specializing in YA, Historical fiction, Series/Trilogies, and Self-Help for 25+ years. Customized services.
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Overview
I am a professional book editor specializing in Developmental & Line edits for nearly three decades. I thoroughly enjoy the challenges of developmental editing and delight in working with authors with a raw first draft, a manuscript with feedback from beta readers and/or has faced writing group 'skirmishes'. Some have been retrieved from the depths of a desk drawer. Others seem complete, yet there is the nagging feeling that something is 'missing'.
From 1st-book authors to published pros, I provide insightful support and work to reveal, explain, and promote the foundational actions their book needs to succeed. My author cohorts and I search for the best possible iteration of their story, often broadening the reach of the message and sharpening cliff edges and conflicts. Creating the smooth, unfettered pathway from mind to 'page' demands courage, a confident pen, and the trust in one's ability to craft a story with clarity. I strive to be the net beneath every author who walks the high wire of balancing vision and action to keep moving forward.
Editing is my profession but writing is my passion, and I hold the belief that having the soul of a writer allows me to envision and experience each author's story through the passion they have poured into it. I view every author and their manuscript as unique. This view demands that I recommend editing services unique to each manuscript with benefits tailored to the specific needs or specific stage of the manuscript.
I am a firm believer that story construction, character evolution, productive scenes, sterling dialogue, and dynamic conflict, operating within an engrossing environment, are all necessary for great story-telling. And even a rough draft, with all these elements yet bereft of perfect grammar, will deeply engage any reader.
As a progressive editor who has observed the rapidly mutating world of publishing for years, I regularly check the pulse of current writer/author conundrums (including the latest scams), acquire new agent listings, keep up with contemporary publishing standards and trends, as well as follow and comment on top-ranked writing blogs.
I have enjoyed many wonderful editing experiences on Reedsy supporting first-book and previously published authors. Whatever author situation, my approach and intent is honesty, kindness, and bringing the material to a greater iteration of the original by enlightening author perceptions and abilities to communicate their story.
My edit interactions with authors do not stop at the completion of an edit or assessment. I remain available for gratis consults to clarify my notes , as I believe an author cannot best utilize my guidance if they are unsure of my meaning. Ours is a shared creative experience, so we will work through any concerns or questions. I'm here for you.
As an extension of every author's journey to publication, I can review book queries and proposals, synopses and cover blurbs.
Want to be certain of your story and your concept? Reach out and we'll cross the bridges together.
From 1st-book authors to published pros, I provide insightful support and work to reveal, explain, and promote the foundational actions their book needs to succeed. My author cohorts and I search for the best possible iteration of their story, often broadening the reach of the message and sharpening cliff edges and conflicts. Creating the smooth, unfettered pathway from mind to 'page' demands courage, a confident pen, and the trust in one's ability to craft a story with clarity. I strive to be the net beneath every author who walks the high wire of balancing vision and action to keep moving forward.
Editing is my profession but writing is my passion, and I hold the belief that having the soul of a writer allows me to envision and experience each author's story through the passion they have poured into it. I view every author and their manuscript as unique. This view demands that I recommend editing services unique to each manuscript with benefits tailored to the specific needs or specific stage of the manuscript.
I am a firm believer that story construction, character evolution, productive scenes, sterling dialogue, and dynamic conflict, operating within an engrossing environment, are all necessary for great story-telling. And even a rough draft, with all these elements yet bereft of perfect grammar, will deeply engage any reader.
As a progressive editor who has observed the rapidly mutating world of publishing for years, I regularly check the pulse of current writer/author conundrums (including the latest scams), acquire new agent listings, keep up with contemporary publishing standards and trends, as well as follow and comment on top-ranked writing blogs.
I have enjoyed many wonderful editing experiences on Reedsy supporting first-book and previously published authors. Whatever author situation, my approach and intent is honesty, kindness, and bringing the material to a greater iteration of the original by enlightening author perceptions and abilities to communicate their story.
My edit interactions with authors do not stop at the completion of an edit or assessment. I remain available for gratis consults to clarify my notes , as I believe an author cannot best utilize my guidance if they are unsure of my meaning. Ours is a shared creative experience, so we will work through any concerns or questions. I'm here for you.
As an extension of every author's journey to publication, I can review book queries and proposals, synopses and cover blurbs.
Want to be certain of your story and your concept? Reach out and we'll cross the bridges together.
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Dystopian
Historical Fiction
Psychological Thriller
Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Certifications
- Copy Editing I, II (EFA)
- Master Writers I & II (John Yeoman)
Work experience
Developmental Editor, Copy Writer
Self-employed
January, 1993
–
Present
(about 30 years)
Perform all levels of manuscript edits, from in-depth developmental edits and comprehensive line edits to insightful, illuminating manuscript assessments.
Establish collaborative partnerships with authors, tailoring editing to their needs in order to produce the highest iteration of their book within their budget parameters.
Coach authors through all developmental levels of their books, from initial concepts to world-building to developing character profiles to blocking out a first draft, and beyond.
Ghost-editing support from rough draft through final polish.
Portfolio (36 selected works)
Ayahuasca: An Executive's Enlightenment
Michael Sanders
Deep in the Amazon jungle, Ayahuasca: An Executive's Enlightenment chronicles a young man's self-transcendence to become one with the Mother of the Rainforest and the creator of the universe.A successful advertising executive, Michael Sanders travels to Peru on a quest for clarity and enlightenment. He partakes in three shamanistic ceremonies with the psychedelic plant medicine known as Ayahua... read more
Raiding the Empire of the Sun: Tinian 1945
Kit Crumpton
Raiding the Empire of the Sun: Tinian 1945 is a historical novel of B-29 Superfortress missions over Japan during the last year of WWII. This book is based on real life events of a B-29 crew, describing life on Tinian Island as well as the dramatic happenings in the skies over enemy territory until the end of the war. The characters are fictionalized but the main character, Captain Jenson, is ... read more
The Fading of Lloyd
Kit Crumpton
The Fading of Lloyd embroils the reader in family history as members struggle through historic challenges: the end of the American frontier, the dawn of railroad travel that wove Midwest communities together, World War I, and the social mores of the 1920s and 1930s.The Huttleston family, whose son, Lloyd, is mentally retarded, struggles to cope with the difficulties encountered with his care. ... read more
The Messenger: Origins (The Messenger Series Book 1)
JW Harrelson
The Order of the Dragon is a secret organization founded within the shadows of the Knights Templar. Their goal is to unite the world under one ruler: The Dracul. Many have sensed their existence, but none have been able to concretely expose them… until now.Tuttle, a special operator within the Secret Army of Northern Virginia, has pieced together enough information to expose the Order of the D... read more
She's the hero the world needs, and she's training for the rematch of her life…Alice is out for revenge. After narrowly escaping death at the hands of her nemesis, she spends her days living undercover as a crippled heiress. By night, she plans for the moment she can finally take down the Phantasm…When superpowered children are stolen from their homes, Alice immediately suspects her greatest e... read more
He fights crime. She was born into it. When the city’s in danger, superheroes can come from both sides of the law. Marco has abandoned his superhero duties to search for an antidote for his friend’s uncontrollable fits of rage. When the only man who knows the cure dies in his arms, Marco must puzzle his dying words alone in a crime-ridden metropolis. Without any solid clues, he has no choice b... read more
When a brilliant psychopath terrorizes the innocent, an untried hero is their only hope.Alice was never one to back down from a fight. So, when her beloved aunt is brutally murdered, she vows to bring the killer to justice. Even if it means becoming the legendary vigilante, Serpent.But being a hero is harder than it looks. And with one mistake, Alice unleashes a nightmare on the city.Can Alice... read more
Puzzle Pieces
Tom Bickimer
Just when Big Jake Sujac had it made, 9/11 rocks his carefully constructed life. His story begins seven decades earlier in the Croatian neighborhood of Sunflower Hill. The Great Depression and World War II inflict a terrible toll on his family. Raised by his indomitable mother, Jake leaves The Hill behind, determined to escape those difficult memories. And yet, there are reminders along the wa... read more
Move!: From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Dallas Burnett
MOVE! is written specifically for people who need to systematically re-orient their life. When we feel stuck, hopeless, overwhelmed, or in need of clarity, we need to move. For those facing tough decisions, life transitions, or stuck in a "Now what?" moment, MOVE! offers a path forward.Do you struggle developing clarity? Sometimes we become so stressed and busy that we need to slow down and sp... read more
The Resilience Way is a book for people who want to overcome their struggles and challenges and build the life they truly desire. In this approachable and engaging book, author Kelly Ann McKnight unwraps the keys to building resilience. She shares the Five Elements of Resilience and Fifteen Factors that you need to consider in order to be ready for anything. Learn how to: • Recognize the thing... read more
You don’t need another advice book. You need a PLAN to create a life you’ll love!You deserve to live your happiest life. To create a life you love, you'll need more than clichés and vague advice - you need a plan tailored to your values, desires, and goals.The Best Damn Life Workbook is for anyone who wants more than a pep-talk without the commitment and expense of therapy. In the Best Damn Li... read more
North Side Hellion
Ben Broeren
Vice, Loyalty, and Passion in the Roaring TwentiesAiden McCarthy enjoys thieving and scheming much more than abiding by the morals of his Catholic, Irish-American, working-class parents. He has always been a pisser, but working for the North Side Gang feeds his youthful desire for action, rebellion, and romance.When Aiden's pa is injured in crossfire between Italian gangsters, he must balance ... read more
Scott Johnson had always taken the easy path no matter who he hurt along the way. That is, until he was mistakenly targeted as a donor by the Good Works church and asked to assist in a world-changing project. His home in a mid-western city is also home to the Good Works church which is led by the highly respected Reverend Theodore Goodfellow and his daughter Heather. The church has just entere... read more
Lord (1)
Dimitrios Molfetas
This novel is an epic, spine-chilling portrait of a vigilante, who calls himself Traveler.Lord, a young, tall, and handsome professor of physics in Los Angeles, California, having psychotic tendencies for killing, he decides to become a serial killer. He names himself Traveler. But he is not entirely at peace with his psychopathic propensity, so he'll justify it as an invaluable service to hum... read more
Before the Hurricane
Rich Firato
Vito Catana stood at the helm of his Spanish galleon, Lady Morgan. He prayed that he and the Lady would remain steadfast in the face of what lay ahead, for he was fooling with history, and his own destiny. Over the years, he had built a wonderful life until one misstep had brought it all crashing down around him. Now he'd be given one last chance to repair the damage, save his marriage, and re... read more
Inside Voices
Davis, Sarah
The Rebel (The Rulemanian Rebellion trilogy Book 1)
Rachel Keeley
Welcome to Rulemania, a small country in the south pacific. On the outside, it is a flourishing nation with happy citizens and a fair ruler. On the inside, the country is almost torn apart by conflict. Prince Thomas is the tyrant that rules there with an iron fist. Power is his motive and his greatest weapon is fear. Everyone is afraid of him, except for one girl. Risa Kirek hates Thomas for n... read more
Second Son: A Novel of the Deep South
Logan, Herman Willis, Parrish, Kathleen
Pain is an unbidden guest, humanity's shadow companion down through the ages. It is a despoiler of dreams and a thief. Chronic pain can appear suddenly in a person's life, changing it forever. Dr. Lynn R. Webster puts a face on chronic pain through the lives of his patients, and provides an intimate view of what it is like to live with it. The Painful Truth will open your eyes to the world of ... read more
Plunge: One Woman's Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary
Collaert, Liesbet
Sharing Presence: Your Guide to Connecting Deeply
Mitchell, Jason Lee
Priors
Francis Verlaine
Joe Iocca, an undistinguished veteran P.I., hadn’t seen a new client walk through his doors in several months. So when his former clients start appearing, asking him to solve their cases as if he never had, the fact that they haven’t aged a day is worth investigating. In the tumult of his mysterious circumstances, Joe stumbles into a cold case homicide. Little Girl is out to find her father’s ... read more
Please Send Ketchup: Wwii Letters from a B-29 Pilot (1)
Crumpton, Kit
The Fading of Kimberly
Crumpton, Kit
Birth of a Destiny (Light Bearer Book 1)
T.R. Milne
Evil stalks her. True love finds her. Destiny claims her. Rose wakes from a coma to find her life has changed forever. Her parents were killed in the accident that nearly claimed her life. Now orphaned, her mother's sister brings her to live in the country with her cousins, who quickly make their resentment known. Once courageous and full of life, Rose now exists in the murky shades of grief. ... read more
Just when everyone thought our times would never go beyond stare-at-a-screen boring, along comes a generation that outshines the Beats, the Baby Boomers, the Xs, the Ys, the Zs, the Romans, and the Cowboys! The Mighty Beam Generation! ("Big" + "Dream" = Beam!) This highly imaginative graphic novel tells the saga of a band of Beamers ― baffled but driven, foolish yet brilliant ― on the fast tra... read more
4D Leadership
Dr Hisham Abdalla
“Dr. Hisham's 4D Leadership is a fascinating book. He understands clearly what it takes to succeed and is a guiding light for others. Awareness is key and applying the principles in this book will open the door to your successful life.” - Bob Proctor, Best-selling author of ‘You Were Born Rich’ and star of ‘The Secret’“Dr. Hisham has created a brilliant piece of work with his 4D Leadership boo... read more
Yarns from Yandilla
Karen Knight-Mudie
When two newcomers settle in the Shire of Yandilla (situated somewhere in the middle of the hinterland that skits the long eastern coast of Australia) they disrupt the peaceful environment. They play pranks on the folk of LillyVille, they cause havoc in the valley and they upset the fairies and elves. Those newcomers are Barry Badger and Tub the Toad. Neither Barry Badger nor Tub the Toad unde... read more
March
Sunni Overend
A creative wunderkind who once topped the country's most prestigious fashion school, Apple March is now languishing behind a retail counter. When fate shifts and her imaginative passion is reawakened, so too is the threat of a past secret. From the cool heart of Melbourne to Paris and New York, in a vibrant world of Pimms and croquet, crocodile boots and cocoon coats, Apple seeks the thrill of... read more
'Success at School and Beyond' shows you seven simple steps how to boost your child's ability to learn, to have more confidence and self-esteem, for greater success in school and in life. Having fun, being in the moment developing happier, healthier and confident children.This is a book I wish I had when I was raising my children. I dedicate my book to them. I am excited to share my experience... read more
Solitary Desire: One Woman's Journey to France
Kim Defforge
The author takes us along on her journey as she narrates the life events that weave an emotional tapestry, from adolescent imagination to adult life situations. Conveying amusing candor, Defforge details how she came full circle, from Paris to “la vie en rose” on the French Riviera. A true story of twists and turns and the author’s courage to follow it.
The Waverly House
J.J. Thomas
Donning a pressed apron and tender smile, Agnes Waverly puts the final touches on another scrumptious meal at her quaint bed and breakfast. But even Agnes has secrets...perhaps one that she may share. That is of course, if her deceased husband, Walter, doesn't take a liking to you. Unfortunately for guests of the Waverly House, Agnes will be the first to know.Being curious of odd noises around... read more
Dorothy's Oz Dream: A Guide to Enchantment and Empowerment
Jonathan Kroner
Lost the magic? Stressed and struggling on the way to your dreams? Find your happiness, as revealed through a mythical, magical dream. With simple, understandable explanations, this insightful book explores an empowering allegory – how Dorothy finds courage, wisdom, passion, and magic using her dreamer’s toolkit. It reveals Dorothy's way to happiness, independence and success; the secrets to h... read more
Winning The Talent War
Kerry Larkan
Demographics, globalisation, technology and the knowledge worker are impacting business growth in Asia and across the world. Despite these external issues, many so-called leaders are contributing to internal issues impeding success. People are looking for a quick fix, the magic bullet and the truth is that none exists. Too many managers prefer paper work to people work and the short-term view ... read more
Balance & Being
Diane Randall
Are you a professional woman ready to harmonize family career and self? This interactive and insightful book is divided into 7 short thorough exercises that will guide you, systematically, through a process of defining your personal Life Balance. You will assess your present situation by identifying your current values and life purpose. The discoveries you encounter in each of the 7 steps can ... read more
The Oarsman
Zubin Mathai
In the novel, The Oarsman, a magical river begins singing out, and a dying man suddenly aches to know if the paradise at its end is real enough to fill his heart. He hires an oarsman to take him upstream, but a twisted encounter sends them back to revisit every role the man has played in his long life.A merchant hoarding, an artist trying to capture love with a brush, a warrior looking for pea... read more
Maria has 51 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
This was my first experience with Reedsy and I am thrilled with the results! Maria far exceeded my expectations. She understood my vision and her guidance has been invaluable. I had planned to consider other editors for my next novel, but I won't be doing that. I'll be using Mariafor as long as she is willing to work with me.
Debra Fuhrman, February 2023
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Reply from Maria D'Marco
I had an extremely positive experience working with Maria. She responded to my messages quickly and offered thorough and insightful feedback on my questions and throughout the manuscript. I would definitely work with Maria again and I feel like my book will truly be a stronger piece of literature because of her direction. Thanks so much, Maria!
Gerald Bennett, January 2023
Maria’s feedback has been immensely helpful and guiding. She always responded right away and strove to suggest ways how I could make my book stronger and better. One of the reasons I chose her, was because she went above and beyond to make an effort to understand what I was trying to say with my book, instead of forcing her own ideas on me.
I very much enjoyed our collaboration and am extremel...
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Felicia Heilgendorff, January 2023
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Reply from Maria D'Marco
Glad to have Maria in my corner
DiscoverTheSelf hoefer, November 2022
Reply from Maria D'Marco
I appreciate Maria's honest feedback.
DiscoverTheSelf hoefer, November 2022
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Founding editor of Highlights for Children's Boyds Mills Press, now working independently with writers for young readers
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Copy editor, developmental editor and health journalist. My specialisms are health, personal development, history, memoirs and articles.
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