Overview
“Working with Marsha has been such a joy. She has the energy and vision of fifty editors, and I have enjoyed every single venture we’ve shared. She is that rare bird who can combine a keen business sense with extraordinary creative powers…and strong writing chops to boot!”—Meg Ruley, literary agent, Jane Rotrosen Agency“I think of Marsha as excellent and inspirational in anything she undertakes. She has experience, knowledge and presence.”-- USA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella"Marsha was a joy to work with. Not only does she identify plot problems, she finds solutions and then polishes the manuscript until it shines! I highly recommend her editing services." --Theresa Ragan, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author of AbductedMy life’s work, for more than thirty years, has been in the publishing industry. From assistant editor with Harlequin Books, the world’s largest publisher of romance fiction, I made my way up the ladder to executive editor, with responsibility for many of the innovative programs that have hit the shelves over the last several decades.I was instrumental in launching the Harlequin Heartwarming series, and conceiving and executing over twenty year-long continuity series—loved that creative challenge!-- as well as managing the anthology, mystery, More Than Words and original non-fiction programs.Over the course of my career, I have edited many USA TODAY and New York Times bestselling authors, such as Erica Spindler, B.J. Daniels, Jill Shalvis, Sarah Morgan, Theresa Ragan, Lori Foster and Roxanne St. Clair, among others. I‘ve also been nominated for several industry editing awards.Now, with my own company, I bring together the editorial expertise gained from working with hundreds of authors, as well as years of exposure to our now vastly changed publishing landscape, so that I can offer my clients the kind of comprehensive, practical suggestions they are seeking.My greatest pleasure is in collaborating with authors to help structure and polish their projects in order to develop them from first draft to publication-ready. I typically speak with my clients by telephone so that we can get to know each other a little, and agree on our goals. I also like to give an overview of my assessment in a conversation before sending along a written analysis and notes.If you have an unusual project, a “project of the heart”—that story you just had to write, or a novel that isn’t quite working, I’d love to dig in and help you make it blossom!
Services
Fiction
Anthologies
Mystery & Crime
Romance
Short Story
Thriller & Suspense
Women's Fiction
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Parenting & Families
Weddings
Languages
English (CAN)
English (US)
Awards
- two Northern Lights Editing Awards for Best Novella of the year
- Several nominations for editing for the RITA award, the Oscars of the romance writing industry
Certifications
- Honours B.A., English Language and Literature, University of Toronto
- M.A. University of Toronto
Work experience
Self-employed
Jul, 2006 —
Present
As a senior publishing professional with more than thirty years of experience in shaping writers' words, I have helped to refine and polish the prose of hundreds of authors, as well as numerous executives, students and proud families. Aside from editing many USA TODAY and New York Times bestselling authors, I have conducted communications workshops, made regular media appearances, and been a frequently-invited speaker across North America and internationally. In addition, I have guided C.E.O.'s and philanthropists through keynote events, and assisted families to shape their thoughts at significant life cycle milestones. I also specialize in helping university applicants to craft their personal statements for maximum impact to admissions boards.
Harlequin Books
Jul, 1983 —
May, 2013
(almost 30 years)
As Executive Editor of all reissue and special projects, I oversaw the publication of more than 400 titles per year, managed a staff of five, and developed strategy, acquisition and editorial direction for a number of different programs, including anthologies, continuities, mysteries, mainstream fiction, reissue programs, and a wide variety of categories within the romance genre.
Portfolio
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
New Second Edition of the 1st novel in the exciting 14 volume Caribbean Adventure Series.When Jesse McDermitt retires from the Marine Corps at age 37, he has no idea what he will do for the rest of his life. He only knows he doesn't want to spend the coming wi... read more
New Second Edition of the 2nd novel in the 14 volume Caribbean Adventure Series.Jesse McDermitt lives alone on an isolated island in the Florida Keys where he runs a charter fishing business. Retired from the Marine Corps for six years, he wanted nothing more ... read more
It’d been a long time; a lot of things had changed. Since sailing away from Cane Garden Bay, Jesse McDermitt had changed.Waking one morning, the smell of rum still on his breath, Jesse realizes he doesn’t much like the change anymore. The mask which he’d freel... read more
What will you discover when you read between the lines?Jeffrey Althorpe is in need of more income for the struggling Sommers barony. As a peer of the realm, he’s not allowed to work, but if he’s able to earn money from a book he’s written – anonymously, of cou... read more
A kiss is just a kiss ... or is it? Having just inherited his uncle’s viscountcy, George Bennett-Jones is encouraged by his mistress to find a bride, preferably the daughter of an aristocrat. Through a series of lessons, she instructs George on the finer point... read more
Despite the onset of summer, Doctor Fantôme's Sanctuary of Voodoo in the French Quarter sends chills through psychologist Daphne Brookes. This is tourist voodoo, meant to shock and titillate. Daffy is fascinated by the man behind the counter, but less fascinat... read more
The fragile young woman, lying comatose in the ward of City Hospital in New Orleans, has no name and no memories. When she finally awakens, the one thing she can remember is a man's voice calling her back to consciousness. In all his years of training, no one ... read more
Gems and jewelry speak to Gemma Hewitt, inspire her designs, and send her across the globe to seek out historic pieces. After her mother is brutally murdered, Gemma inherits her famed jeweled collar, which she hopes will lead her to her mother’s killer. Instea... read more
Descended from an ancient race, Earth’s few remaining Lightkeepers battle the forces of darkness that threaten humanity... Detectives Micki Dare and Zach Harris are called in to investigate when a millionaire developer leaps from atop his luxury hotel on the n... read more
Detectives Micki Dare and Zach Harris are back in TRIPLE SIX, their second adventure in Erica Spindler’s supernatural thriller series The Lightkeepers.It's been three months since that night - the night that Micki almost died. Physically, she's healed but the ... read more
Tucker's Point three-day forecast: stormy with a chance of romanceHEART OF THE STORM by Shannon StaceyBrody Rollins is back in tiny Tucker's Point, Maine, for the first time in five years, and now he can't escape… from former neighbors, old regrets or maddenin... read more
Destination Wedding Guest List:THE EX-WIFEMegan McNeil is genuinely happy to escort her little girls to their father's wedding in Kauai, Hawaii—even though she feels like a third wheel. One gorgeous groomsman definitely disagrees. But are they both carrying to... read more
Bestselling author Stella Cameron welcomes you back to 7 Mayfair Square, an elegant London town house where the unusual is routine. Sibyl Smiles possesses a most unfashionable leaning toward independence. At eight and twenty, she remains unmarried, yet fosters... read more
When pediatrician Andrew Monthaven delivered the news, the light left Greer Beckett's life. She'd lost her husband and her baby. Her future was suddenly as uncertain as moonlight on water. Now, two years later, Greer has returned to face her past…and the man s... read more
Three bestselling authorsThree real-life heroinesEach of us can effect change. In our own unique ways, we can all make the world a better place. We need only to take that first step, do that first good deed and the ripple effect will be life- changing to so ma... read more
Five bestselling authors Five real-life heroines They're your neighbors, your aunts, your sisters and your best friends. They're women across North America committed to reaching out and changing lives, one good deed at a time. Five of these exceptional women h... read more
Charlotte Gray's world has been turned upside down. Her husband of six months has disappeared, and now FBI agents inform her that Dan, the love of her life, is a wanted international terrorist. But before Charlotte has a chance to absorb their shocking revelat... read more
Art gallery owner Melody Beecham was raised in the elite social circles of her English mother, Rosalind, and her American father, Wallis Beecham, a self-made millionaire. But when her mother dies suddenly, a shocking truth is revealed: Wallis is not Melody's f... read more
On her wedding night, seventeen-year-old Anna Langtry stole her husband's car and fled into the darkness, racing toward freedom. She felt only desperation to escape the nightmare of her Colorado home—an isolated rural community that condoned her forced polygam... read more
Isabella Trueblood made history reuniting people torn apart by war and an epidemic. Now, generations later, Lily and Dylan Garrett carry on her work with their agency, Finders Keepers. Circumstances may have changed, but the goal remains the same.LostOne groom... read more
Was it a place of safety… or deadly danger? Nestled in the Colorado Rockies, the Wainscott Ranch is a place of hope and promise for expectant mothers from war-torn regions of the globe. Here, women with nowhere to go, and no one to help them, find refuge. Thou... read more
A disk. A simple disk that named names. That was Isabella Joubert's inheritance from her father, a man she loved but could not trust. To right his wrongs, she was determined to turn the incriminating list over to the authorities. But danger was stalking her. H... read more
For twenty-five years, multimillionaire businessman Ron Raven played the loving husband and father -- to two very different households. But when Ron disappears, his deception is revealed. Now both families are left with questions, while the man who holds the a... read more
When an extremist group kidnaps environmentalist Summer Shepherd, her father thinks she staged it herself to ruin his bid for the U.S. presidency, but her step-uncle knows she is a pawn in a bigger game--leaving her to choose between saving the rain forests an... read more
DEEP IN RURAL IDAHO, A BRIGADE OF MILITANT WHITE SUPREMACISTS CALLING THEMSELVES THE SOLDIERS OF JORDAN IS PREPARING TO LAUNCH A DESPERATE STRUGGLE THAT THREATENS TO FOREVER ALTER THE NATION'S BALANCE OF POWER. When the country's ultrasecret Unit One goes on h... read more
NYT bestselling author Theresa Ragan’s newest suspense, DEAD MAN RUNNING, is set in motion when an accused murderer escapes prison in a body bag and sets out to prove his innocence.
This holiday season, warm your heart with 12 connected sweet holiday romances set in Christmas Town from 12 Harlequin Heartwarming authors who are USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors.There are four connected books in A Heartwarming Chris... read more
Marsha has 20 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Eliza S.
Jun, 2025
Pinned
Lori S.
Sep, 2024
Pinned
David K.
Feb, 2024
Pinned
Charles P.
May, 2025
Charles P.
Feb, 2025
Sign up to read more reviews
Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Marsha and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.
