Melissa Ann Singer – Editor

Will take on Query Review at any time, but for edits of novella or novel-length work, I'm currently scheduling for August 2025 and beyond.

In my 40+ years in publishing, I've edited hundreds of books, nearly all genre fiction: sf, fantasy, horror, mystery, urban fantasy/paranormal romance, historical, western, tech-based thrillers, disaster novels, family thrillers, and more.

There are few things more satisfying than seeing a writer's imagination catch fire as we work together. I love digging in with a writer and exploring their world, their characters, and the story they want to tell.

If I make you an offer, it's because I like the work, think you have talent and creativity, and feel that I can help make the book the best it can be. (And that we will enjoy working together.)

During editing, I do offer praise but to be honest, I'm rarely effusive. I don't want clients to feel that I'm saying nice things because they're giving me money! I want clients to feel that they're getting value for their money, and what I'm being paid for is my ability to analyze a client's work and help make it better.

Note: for all the traditionally-published works in my portfolio, I provided line-editing as well as developmental editing.

I have edited:

a Los Angeles Times bestseller

2 New York Times bestsellers

a USA Today bestseller

2 Bram Stoker Award winners

6 Bram Stoker Award finalists

1 World Fantasy Award winner

3 World Fantasy Award finalists

1 Alex Award winner (please note that I do not edit YA fiction; while this is a YA award, it is for adult works which appeal to a teen audience)

Because of the way Reedsy is set up, I can only specify a few genres/subgenres, but if you're working in genre fiction at novella length or longer, feel free to approach me regardless of subgenre.

(cover image: "59th Street Bridge" by Jeffrey is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.)