Emily Martin – Editor

Hello! I'm a freelance editor with over a decade of experience working with writers at various stages in their careers.

I've been a mentor in writing contests such as Pitch Wars, and am proud to say that all of my mentees signed with literary agents and have gone on to get book deals. I'm a published YA author with Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins, and my debut adult rom-com WINNER TAKES ALL will be published by Emily Bestler Books/Simon & Schuster in Spring 2026.

My strengths lie in character development, emotional arcs, scene work, heightening stakes, and tightening pacing. My main goal as an editor is to help you effectively tell the story you want to tell, and to leave you feeling motivated to dive into a revision. I rely heavily on margin notes, which will often contain questions aimed to help you strengthen your craft and consider how each choice ties to the heart of your story. I will always include praise for what I love and think is working well, but I also won't hold back with recommendations for improvement.

Whether you're unsure where to begin on a revision or have revised so many times you can no longer see the forest through the trees, my supportive and thorough critiques can help you take your story to the next level.

TESTIMONIALS

“Emily’s critical eye and her razor-sharp instincts have helped make my manuscripts so much stronger. From both a big picture thematic perspective and on a line edit level, she is able to effectively highlight strengths and identify weaknesses. Her creativity, writing savvy, and collaborative approach make her exactly the kind of force your book needs to get to the next level.” — Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, author of THE GIRLS ARE ALL SO NICE HERE

“I can’t say enough how wonderful Emily is as an editor. She really “got” the core of my book, and cared so passionately about helping me achieve my vision for it. By the time I was working with Emily, I’d revised my book so many times that I couldn’t think of what else I needed to change. Emily was able to pinpoint exactly what had to be fixed. My book sold very quickly, partly because it was already in good shape from Emily’s editing. I would highly, highly recommend her services to anyone looking for an editor.” — Victoria Lee, author of THE FEVER KING (Skyscape, 2019) and A LESSON IN VENGEANCE (Delacorte, 2021)

“Emily has the uncanny ability of pinpointing weak areas in my storytelling and offering solutions that don’t compromise the heart of the story. Rather, her suggestions elevate the plot to another level. Writing a first draft is often a solitary endeavor, but revising that draft takes a village full of people you can trust. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending Emily’s editorial services!” — Amelia Diane Coombs, author of KEEP MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO (S&S/Simon Pulse, 2020)