Melissa Caminneci

Melissa Caminneci – Editor

Experienced freelance copy editor and book proposal writer. Formerly of Little, Brown and Company and The Monacelli Press.

Overview

I'm a Harvard graduate with over four years of experience in the corporate book publishing industry. After working at Perigee Books (Penguin Random House), Little, Brown & Company (Hachette Book Group), and The Monacelli Press, the bulk of my industry experience is in adult illustrated books. These are otherwise known as coffee table books! I have read countless cookbook proposals, and I would love to help any emerging author to relate their experience in food in a way that is present and conversational.

As a freelance editor I most frequently work with prescriptive nonfiction: common areas are food reference, health and nutrition, fitness, and self help.

I am also an essayist and storyteller in my own writing, and I would love to work on more essays and memoir.

Let me help you tell your story, as clearly and engagingly as possible.
Services
Non-Fiction
Architecture Art Biographies & Memoirs Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Design Entertainment Health & Wellbeing History Photography
Fiction
Historical Fiction Humor & Comedy Plays & Screenplays Poetry Short Story Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-Employed

Feb, 2014 — Present

I guide independent authors through every stage of manuscript development, from the first draft to publication. My strengths are in finding the "big idea" in even the roughest rough draft, large-scale structural alteration and re-organization of prescriptive nonfiction, and line editing while maintaining the author's unique voice. I also help authors with book proposals and query letters.

The Monacelli Press

Aug, 2013 — Apr, 2014 (8 months)

- Copy edited first drafts of incoming manuscripts
- Proofread final drafts of all titles and input text changes in InDesign
- Wrote official press releases for all titles and designed all of these press releases in InDesign
- Wrote jacket copy for all titles, mostly in the areas of Interior Design, Architecture, and Art
- Wrote sales copy for seasonal catalogs; attended sales and marketing meetings at Random House

Little, Brown & Company

Aug, 2010 — Aug, 2013 (about 3 years)

- Evaluated book proposals by writing reader’s reports and compiling Bookscan sales of comparative titles
- Fact-checked and line-edited food reference titles The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine and See Mix Drink
- Proofread both original manuscript pages and layout pages
- Acted as liaison between author, designer, and copyeditor on multiple bought-bound titles
- Consulted on hiring of freelance designers and reviewed all phases of layouts from first pages to blues
- Organized image deliveries from authors and photographers and transmit final images to Production
- Participated in weekly editorial meetings as well as production status meetings with representatives from Production, Art, Managing Editorial, and Editorial departments

Perigee Books-Penguin Group USA

Feb, 2010 — Apr, 2010 (about 2 months)

- Evaluated both solicited and unsolicited proposals for all members of the imprint and wrote reader's reports
- Completed an archival photo research project for a Mad Men-inspired title
- Wrote readers' guides and jacket copy for multiple titles

The Iowa Review

Oct, 2009 — Feb, 2010 (4 months)

- Wrote reports evaluating all creative non-fiction submissions and attended editorial meetings
- Initiated and updated a Filemaker Pro database of all prize-winning pieces published by the magazine

Sententiae-Harvard Undergraduate Journal of Medieval Studies

Apr, 2008 — Jun, 2009 (about 1 year)

- Worked directly with authors to edit their academic articles
- Selected pieces for publication with the editorial board
- Led meetings regarding distribution method and publicity for the Medieval Studies journal

Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study

Oct, 2006 — Jun, 2007 (8 months)

- Transposed the hand-written letters of Ebe Hawthorne, Nathaniel’s sister
- Made note of interesting subject matter in the letters
- Prepared checklists and attended one-on-one meetings with the author to review her project’s progress

Portfolio

Eleven Madison Park is one of New York City's most popular fine-dining establishments, where Chef Daniel Humm marries the latest culinary techniques with classical French cuisine.Under the leadership of Executive Chef Daniel Humm and General Manager Will Guida... read more
Trained pastry chef, blogger, and mother of two Aran Goyoaga turned to gluten-free cooking when she and her children were diagnosed with gluten intolerance. Combining the flavors of her childhood in Bilbao, Spain, with unique artistry and the informal elegance... read more
In Kentucky: Historic Houses and Horse Farms, pre-eminent architectural and interiors photographer Pieter Estersohn guides us through Bluegrass Country, the legendary landscape around Lexington, Kentucky. The wealthiest town west of the Alleghenies prior to th... read more
HOUSES OF THE PRESIDENTS offers a unique tour of the houses and day-to-day lives of America's presidents, from George Washington's time to the present. Author Hugh Howard weaves together personal, presidential, and architectural histories to shed light on the ... read more
Vintage photos from one of the largest archives of Cuban photography in the world capture the island’s history. The enduring fascination of Cuba intensifies as the island once again becomes a seductive travel destination. From Ramiro Fernández, whose collectio... read more
Kurt Vonnegut Drawings

Nanette Vonnegut

Those who know Kurt Vonnegut as one of America's most beloved and influential writers will be surprised and delighted to discover that he was also a gifted graphic artist. This book brings together the finest examples of his funny, strange, and moving drawings... read more
The books that we choose to keep --let alone read-- can say a lot about who we are and how we see ourselves. In MY IDEAL BOOKSHELF, dozens of leading cultural figures share the books that matter to them most; books that define their dreams and ambitions and in... read more
2011 Gourmand Wine Book Award winner - USAA wine book unlike any other, THE FOOD LOVER'S GUIDE TO WINE offers a fresh perspective via the single aspect of wine most compelling to food lovers: flavor.At the heart of this indispensable reference, formatted like ... read more
StartFragment Have you tried mixing a Mojito? What about a Rusty Nail? Or a Cosmopolitan? With See Mix Drink, the first-ever cocktail book to offer instruction through info-graphics, making the drinks you love at home is as easy as, well, See, Mix, Drink. This... read more
Recipes, tips, and strategies for easy, delicious vegan meals every day of the week, from America's bestselling vegan cookbook author.How does Isa Chandra Moskowitz make flavorful and satisfying vegan meals from scratch every day, often in 30 minutes or less? ... read more

Melissa has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Maria L.

Maria L.

Feb, 2018

My experience with Melissa was easy and she made my manuscript so much better!
Nick B.

Nick B.

Dec, 2017

Melissa is quick, thoughtful and easy to work with. She delivered an editorial assessment that reviewed the plot and characterization and provided fresh insights into rhythm and pace. I am particularly grateful for her graceful handling of a novice author. Her comments were always 'to the point' but encouraging. I heartily recommend Melissa to any aspiring author looking for an honest read of y...
Read more
Edna L. Negron M.

Edna L. Negron M.

Dec, 2017

It has been my first experience with an external editor (out of my campus) and am very grateful with Melissa response and prompt attention to every request or comment.
Tim D.

Tim D.

Nov, 2017

Melissa proofread my book manuscript and provided invaluable feedback. Her level of competence and attention to detail made me trust her implicitly. The best thing I can say about Melissa is that she handled my baby with care and I'd work with her again.
Amelio N.

Amelio N.

Aug, 2017

I really enjoyed working with Melissa. She handled our collaboration both promptly and professionally. Her revisions were subtle and maintained the personality of my work but still extremely thoughtful, which made a drastic impact on the clarity of my piece.

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Melissa and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Melissa

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Michelle Bernard

Michelle B.

Project manager, copy-editor and proofreader since 1989, both in-house and freelance. Accurate and high-quality service.

Fulbourn, Cambridge, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Rebecca F

Rebecca F.

Experienced editor specializing in cooking, baking, knitting, crafts, and DIY. Helping readers and writers get creative.

Asheville, NC, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Christy Callahan

Christy C.

A cerebral yet down-to-earth editor since 2014, I do each project right the first time—on time—for traditional publishers and indie authors.

Frankston, Texas, USA

100% reply rate

View profile