Matt Zepelin – Editor

Hello, aspiring author! I'm a lifelong editor in what has been, to me, a delightfully eclectic array of settings: high school newspaper, Buddhism, academic history (I have a PhD in U.S. history), somatic education, and more. The feather in my literary cap thus far has been my stint, from 2017 to 2024, working as an acquisitions and developmental editor at Shambhala Publications. There I saw 85 books through to publication, which collectively have sold hundreds of thousands of copies. I moved on from Shambhala to pursue environmental work and freelance editing, which I do from the mountain town where I live in Colorado.

As an editor and publishing professional, I look for that sweet spot where results-orientation and collegiality overlap. I want you to realize the vision you have for your book and to achieve the publishing endpoint you have in mind (whether traditional, independent, or hybrid). That's always my foremost aim, and it's why my editor's slogan is, "Do what's best for the book." Usually that aim turns out to be totally compatible with having a friendly, often fun, book development process — though I'm perfectly comfortable monitoring deadlines and putting a little time pressure on you if you'd like. I tend to be hands-on as an editor, and I always offer test edits to make sure we land on an approach that feels good to you.