Melinda Crouchley

Melinda Crouchley – Editor

Editor of 6+ years specializing in YA, dystopia, speculative, and sci-fi. MA Book Publishing. Let's turn your obstacles into opportunities.

Overview

I'm a passionate author/editor who wants to turn your manuscript into the best book possible. My goal is to foster a supportive, collaborative, shame-free editorial process by focusing on targeted revisions to your book's structure, narrative, and language. Together, we'll turn the obstacles in your manuscript into opportunities.


As an author myself, I have so much empathy for the writing process. I understand the vulnerability of submitting your work for review, and the frustration of the revision process. Writing and revising are hard work, but the ultimate goal is improving your manuscript.


As the current Publishing Assistant at Chemeketa Press and former Managing Editor at Ooligan Press, I'm particularly adept at working with YA, Romance, Dystopia, and Science Fiction / Speculative Fiction manuscripts.


PERSONAL DETAILS

I'm the published author of the YA dystopian Metal Heart series. In my spare time, I run a Little Free Library in my community and love adding client books to its shelves. Stories in all forms (books, comics, movies, TV, video games) are an integral part of my life.


TESTIMONIALS

"I had the opportunity to work with Melinda through Ooligan Press for my debut novel, Laurel Everywhere. Not only is Melinda a fantastic editor, but she's also incredibly supportive - her warm notes and words of encouragement always made my day! Melinda has been a joy to work with."

- Erin Moynihan, "Laurel Everywhere" (YA fiction)


"Melinda played an instrumental role in the developmental edit of my novel "Faultland" and came up with a brilliant tool to help track plot points in my multiple POV narrative. She is a bright, rising star in publishing, and since she is also an author, she has a broad understanding of both sides of the editorial desk."

- Suzy Vitello, "Faultland" (literary, speculative fiction)


"Melinda has a great eye for story and knows how to guide an author. I always felt like the door was open to ask questions or to get clarification on editorial corrections. I also really appreciated how Melinda handled the few times that I pushed back against suggestions--she was thoughtful and understanding in ways that made me feel comfortable enough to disagree. And that's important."

- Trace Kerr, "The Names We Take" (YA dystopian fiction)

Services
Fiction
Dystopian Literary Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Romance Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • MA in Book Publishing, Portland State University
  • BA in English Literature, Portland State University
  • Technical Writing minor, Portland State University
  • Multimedia Design Certificate, Portland Community College

Work experience

Chemeketa Press

Jan, 2022 — Present

Editorial, marketing, design, and administrative support for Chemeketa Press, a publisher of affordable textbooks for students.

Overcup Press

Jun, 2021 — Jan, 2022 (7 months)

Managed book publication timelines for editorial and production schedules; reviewed manuscript submissions to provide acquisition suggestions to publishers.

Ooligan Press

Apr, 2019 — Jun, 2020 (about 1 year)

Led the developmental edit, copy editing, type coding, and proofreading of print and electronic books. Managed teams of editors, compiled edits, and corresponded with authors.

Self-employed

Sep, 2018 — Present

Provide professional freelance writing, developmental editing, and line editing services.

Portfolio

Your Guide to College Writing

Couch, Daniel

Chemeketa Press

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Tin Road (The Metal Heart Trilogy)

Crouchley, Melinda Jasmine

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Finding the Vein

Hanlon Wilde, Jennifer

Developmental Editing
The Gifts We Keep

Grindeland, Katie

Proofreading
Proofreading
The Step Back

Bushnell, J. T.

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Faultland: A Novel

Vitello, Suzy

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Laurel Everywhere

Moynihan, Erin

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Iditarod Nights

Hiday, Cindy

Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Odsburg

Tompkins, Matt

Proofreading

Melinda has 21 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ian P.

Ian P.

May, 2024

Pinned
Melinda was fantastic to work with! She was clear and quick in her communication, her timing was exactly what she said it would be, and her pricing seemed fair to both me and her. I reached out to a few different editors for my novel, but Melinda's sample work and attitude fit what I was looking for. Her feedback was in depth, knowledgeable, and very constructive. She called out areas that I...
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Melinda C.
Thank you so much, Ian! It was a delight to read your manuscript, and I'm looking forward to our upcoming Zoom debrief. I would definitely be pleased to collaborate on your sequel. Can't wait to re...
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Lydia C.

Lydia C.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
This was my first experience working with a developmental editor, and I could not have asked for someone more professional, honest, kind, encouraging, or knowledgeable in her craft. I know that with Melinda's meticulous and carefully thought-out notes, I can make my manuscript the very best it can be! Highly recommend!
Melinda C.
Hi Lydia! Thank you so much for the feedback. It was a genuine pleasure to read your manuscript and I'm so looking forward to hearing more about your publication journey in the future. Best wishes!
Marc C.

Marc C.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Melinda delivered a thorough and thoughtful developmental edit of my manuscript, exactly on time. Her comments were very insightful and helped me think through some long-standing issues I'd had lingering, as well as pointing out some bad punctuation habits that had pervaded the entire book. She had a great way of phrasing things such that I could take the feedback onboard without it feeling too...
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Melinda C.
Thank you for trusting me with your book, Marc. It was such a pleasure to read, and I envision great things for your publishing future. Best wishes!
DEAN S.

DEAN S.

Oct, 2024

It was wonderful working with her. She kept me updated throughout the process and the feedback was above what I could have ever imagined. I have so much to work with now to make my manuscript the best it can be. Great experience.
Steven D.

Steven D.

Sep, 2024

Melinda was an absolute joy to work with. Writing my first novel has been something I've worked on for over ten years, and Melinda made the editing process a painless experience. Her notes and reports were thorough and meaningful. She always took the care necessary to provide useful feedback while not making me feel pressured in any way. She kept in touch throughout, answering any questions I h...
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