Matt Samet

Matt Samet – Editor

I'm a highly experienced (30 years) writer and editor, with a book and magazine background, particularly in the world of adventure sports.

Overview

I am an experienced writer, editor, copyeditor/proofer, and media/content creator based in Boulder, Colorado, where I’ve lived since coming here to attend college and to rock climb.


I have decades of content creation, editing, and workflow management under my belt, from magazine articles, to books, to marketing copy for magazines and websites, and much more. I’ve written—a lot; I’ve edited—a lot; I’ve copyedited—a lot; I’ve proofread—a lot. I also hold a BS in Journalism and an MA in English, and am fluent with the Chicago Manual of Style.


The written word has long been my passion and my métier, and I’m very adaptable to any subject matter. I like helping people communicate as clearly as possible and tell their stories.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Nature Sports & Outdoors
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2022 — Present
I have been a full-time freelance book and magazine editor since spring of 2022, but have worked in this field on and off for the past 20 years. I'm also a published freelance writer, primarily in the rock-climbing space, in titles like Climbing, Outside, and Alpinist. I've written or co-written six books, including climbing guidebooks, how-to books, a dictionary of climbing slang, and a memoir—I know what it's like to be both on the writing and the editing side of the equation, which gives me a better understanding of the process.

Outside, Inc.

Mar, 2017 — May, 2022 (about 5 years)
Editor of Climbing Magazine, the world's longest continuously published climbing publication. In this role, I gained a bottom-to-top understanding of publishing, from a query letter and an incipient idea all the way up to a story in layout, ready for production. Over the years, I have helped countless authors bring their vision to print, many of whom went on to mainstream publishing success.

Portfolio

A Place Among Giants: 22 Seasons at Denali Basecamp

Roderick, Lisa

Catharsis

Developmental Editing
River Songs: Moments of Wild Wonder in Fly Fishing

Duda, Steve

Mountaineers Books

Copy Editing
Freiheit: In the Mountain There Is Freedom

Huber, Thomas

Voyage

Copy Editing
Going to See: 30 Writers on Nature, Inspiration, and the World of Barry Lopez

Caswell, Kurt

Mountaineers Books

Copy Editing
The Golden Age

Royal Robbins

Royal Robbins Adventures

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Survival Is Not Assured: The Life of Climber Jim Donini

Powter, Geoff

Mountaineers Books

Developmental Editing
Higher Ground: How The Outdoor Recreation Industry Can Save The World

Benitez, Luis

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
More: Life on the Edge of Adventure and Motherhood

Burhardt, Majka

Copy Editing
Royal Robbins: The American Climber

David Smart

Copy Editing
Stories Behind the Images: Lessons from a Life in Adventure Photography

Corey Rich

Copy Editing
The Lifer: Rock Climbing Adventures in the GUNKS and Beyond

Clune, Russ

Developmental Editing Copy Editing

Matt has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Roy L T.

Roy L T.

Sep, 2024

Attention to detail was less than expected.
Matt S.
Hi Roy, I'm sorry my attention to detail was less than expected. This is actually the first time I've heard this from anyone I've worked with, in 22 years of editing. I believe I did my best with...
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Joel E.

Joel E.

Jul, 2024

Matt worked with me on my book, The Hunt for Light. He was everything I was looking for in an editor; talented, experienced, thorough, responsive, gave helpful insight and perspectives and above all he engaged with my book with a high level of care. I would definitely work with him again!
Matt S.
Thanks, Joel, for your kind review and for entrusting me with your memoir. It was a true pleasure working and corresponding with you about your book!
Jack M.

Jack M.

Mar, 2024

Matt copy/line edited my book and I had a great experience working with him. He is very easy to communicate with and is quick to respond to any issues. He delivered his edits well before my expected finish date and was willing to look and work on final touches past that point. His edits were on p...
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Matt S.
Thanks, Jack! I truly enjoyed working on your book—the subject matter is close to my own heart—and it was a pleasure working with you on your fascinating tale of a thru-hike for the ages.

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