Melinda Crouchley - Editor

I'm a developmental and line editor who is passionate about working with authors/writers to improve their craft on a structural and line level. My goal is to foster a collaborative, shame-free editorial process with the ultimate outcome of serving up the best story possible.

As a current freelance editor and former Managing Editor at Ooligan Press, I've had the pleasure of editing and publishing manuscripts across a diverse array of genres including YA, literary fiction, and speculative fiction.

MORE ABOUT ME

I am also a writer/author so I deeply understand and am empathetic to the vulnerability and sensitivity of having your work edited. I strive to make the process as pain-free and compassionate as possible.

My first three novels were published independently and are now included in the Multnomah County Library digital collection.

Before I transitioned to editorial work, I spent a decade as a multimedia marketing and communications specialist. In my spare time, I manage a Little Free Library/food pantry in my neighborhood. As you can see, books are basically my life.

TESTIMONIALS

"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

"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

"Melinda stepped into the position of Managing Editor for The Names We Take midway through the process of editing and made the transition smooth and seamless. She has a great eye for story and 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

"As Managing Editor at Ooligan Press, Melinda Crouchley served as midwife to my book Elephant Speak: A Devoted Keeper’s Life Among the Herd, guiding it (and me!) through every stage in the process of working with a university press in order to transform an admittedly rocky initial manuscript into its final glorious self. Through it all, Melinda never lost her cool or her unwavering enthusiasm for the project (at least not where I could see) and remained unfailing professional, elegantly poised, and supremely competent."
​- Melissa Crandall, Elephant Speak: A Devoted Keeper's Life Among the Herd

"Melinda is a dream editor to work with! All of her ideas are thorough and insightful, and she backs them up. She's one of the most detailed editors I've ever worked with and my book wouldn't be the same without her. Melinda is also wonderful at answering questions about her editorial notes, making sure you never get overwhelmed or discouraged no matter the scale of the edit. If you need an editor, she should definitely be at the top of your list!"
- Taylor Thompson, Writer, Story Associate, and Editor at Crazy Maple Studios, Author of Fight and Knockout

"Over the year we worked together, Melinda Crouchley earned the highest compliment I can give an editor: I trust her. I trust her skills, her work product, and her judgment. She demonstrates the rarest professional combination—fearlessness, competence, and empathy—and is unquestionably an elite editor who will help any writer find their book's most perfect version."
- Adam O'Connor Rodriguez, Senior Editor at Hawthorne Books