Michael Brown

Michael Brown – Editor

10+ years' experience working with best-selling and first-time authors alike for Berkley and others. Specialties: romance, horror, mystery

Overview

I'm a former academic librarian with eight years of full-time freelance copyediting experience. I've worked on materials for Penguin Random House (particularly Berkley), Melville House, and Cambridge University Press. I've also copyedited TTRPG materials for Onyx Path Publishing.

I'll make sure that every sentence you've written follows all the rules of grammar and punctuation. For example, did you know that "just deserts" has nothing to do with the sweet dish served at the end of a meal? That Merriam-Webster used to hyphenate "mindset" but doesn't any longer? That you lie down to take a nap but lay down your burden? It's OK if you don't—that's my job.

I'm looking forward to discussing your project with you!

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Romance Epic Fantasy Historical Mysteries Paranormal Romance Science Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Nov, 2015 — Present
● Copyedit and proofread print and electronic materials for clarity, grammar, accuracy, consistency, style, and tone. ● Recommend copyedits based on knowledge of target audience as well as internal and external style guides. ● Prepare style sheets including language and usage information, proper names, character traits of major players, and miscellaneous information regarding plot. ● Perform quality work for clients such as Penguin Random House, Cambridge University Press, and the National Academy of Sciences.

Michael has 16 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Lauren B.

Lauren B.

Mar, 2026

Michael did an incredible job getting my book professionally proof read without changing the voice of the story. He was kind and prompt. Even when I messed up trying to convert the format from Windows to Linux and some text was missing. He was kind enough to help clean up my formatting so that it...
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James C.

James C.

Nov, 2024

As an editor, Michael Brown gets a feel for what you are trying to accomplish and then helps you to accomplish it. I will trust my manuscripts to no other. - James Crawford, author of "Mariner Valley," "Seed of Aldebaran," and the "AlCent Sagas" series.
James C.

James C.

Jul, 2024

Michael Brown has edited 5 novels for me and I am working with him to do another. The relationship between the author and the editor is one of trust and perception, and I am more than satisfied working with Michael Brown. He understands what I am trying to achieve and helps me to get there. I bel...
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James C.

James C.

Jun, 2024

I have to come to trust Michael Brown with my manuscripts to the fullest. I believe he is able to see what I am trying to do with my work and edit in such a way to help me reach my goals. I plan to ask him to edit some of my older works in order to bring them up to a better level of excellence, a...
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James C.

James C.

Apr, 2024

Michael is very easy to work with and his editing ideas are clear and accurate. I am a better writer because of him and I look forward to be working with him in the future.

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