Michelle Schacht

Michelle Schacht – Editor

Copy Editor and Developmental Editor who loves coaching authors to maximize their books. Experience - Xulon Press Christian Publishing.

Overview

I've offered my book editing and writing services since 2010. My joy is in helping authors craft their books into personal works of art, making my talents theirs. My life has revolved around words since I learned to read at three years old, and I have yet to find a bookstore or library I haven’t liked. Why do I share this? Because when you have exposed yourself to countless forms of writing and played with words for as many years as I have, it becomes as natural as breathing to make them do your bidding.


I love working with first-time authors. It allows me to share my knowledge of self-publishing and the psychology of how consumers consider books. I enjoy the aspects of author coaching that are part of developmental and copy edits. I put my heart into the books I edit as if they are my own.


For background, I've been the managing editor for an Orlando editing house, and I have six years' experience with Xulon Press, the largest Christian self-publishing company in the nation. I'm highly experienced in non-fiction and fiction Christian books, but am not limited to that genre. I frequently edit self-help, autobiographies, parenting books, and Christian romance.

I am a self-published author myself, so I know how hard it is to birth your book. Let me leave you with this -- YOU CAN DO IT!


Testimonials


Dr. John Maples – Faithful Families Today: Instilling Spirituality in Your Family

Services – Author Coaching; Developmental Editing; Publishing Coordinator with his publisher, managing all aspects of preparing the book for print; managing his email marketing.


"Michelle, I absolutely love the way you edit! There is not even one tiny aspect of your excellent work I do not fully appreciate. I love your experience, your expertise, your astute capture of my message, your precision, your full measure of competence. It comes across clearly and repeatedly! And, more, I love the way you enjoy the process. "


Dean Nelson – Beyond the Threshold: Simple Transformational Techniques to Awaken Your Potential (his third book)

Services – Heavy Developmental Editing


"Michelle is brilliant! She did an outstanding job editing my latest book, Beyond The Threshold. She encouraged and motivated me to dig deeper and create more meaningful, easy-to-understand passages. She inspired me greatly and helped bring out the very best of my writing skills. Michelle is the most talented, intuitive editor I have worked with. She will be the only editor I consider for my future books. Thank you, Michelle, for guiding and directing me with such precision, for making my book far better than it would have been, and for believing in me."


Don Newman –Don't Just Speak It, Write It

Services – Line Editing, co-creation


"I want to thank Michelle, the co-creator and editor for my first two books. She worked tirelessly on this book like it was her own and actually added the appendix to further help every ministry leader write and finish their books."

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Parenting & Families Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Christian Fiction Historical Romance Literary Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Reedsy Top 200
  • NYC Midnight Short Story Judge

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2010 — Present

Word of Mouth offers an affordable range of writing, editing, career-focused, and business marketing services.

• Book Editing
• Author Coaching
• Self-Publishing Support
• Book Reviews
• College Admissions Essay Coaching
• Student Papers, College Thesis Editing
• Professional Resume Writing
• Website Content
• Business and Personal Marketing Materials
• Business Marketing Strategy and Development

The Ghost Publishing

May, 2019 — Feb, 2023 (almost 4 years)

Accept and assign all editing projects from client publishing companies, monitoring jobs from start to finish.
Quality control edited manuscripts before sending back to clients. Provide feedback to editors on jobs completed.
Manage workflow, complete billing, and continuously train editors.

Xulon Press Publishing

Jun, 2018 — Apr, 2019 (10 months)

Oversaw the work of department editors, holding them to in-house quality standards.
Established Xulon Style Guide for editorial freelancers. Educated all providers on editorial products and expectations for fulfillment.
Revised/created author education pieces regarding editing basics.

Portfolio

Reclamation: A Broken Life Repurposed

Lanna, Olivia

WestBow Press

Developmental Editing Query Letter Review Book Coaching
Made with Reedsy
Oak Street Series

Karen, LM

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Tragic Journey: Believe

Wood, Dana

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Grandma's Favorite Sundae

Grantham, Dawn

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Entering the Zone: Helena

James, Barbara

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Eagle Instincts: The 7 Laws Every Leader Knows

McClain, Dallas Gates

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Fight of a Warrior

Charles Barben

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Dare Not Desire

Luketic, Shenlee

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Made with Reedsy
Smashing the Friend Zone: Natasha

James, Barbara

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Wonderland of Secrets

Januszewski, Nancy Brown

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
The Miracle of Music

Finnegan, Jeannie M

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Book Coaching
The Ghost of Alloway

Weis, Rosemary

Copy Editing Book Coaching

Michelle has 37 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Robert E.

Robert E.

May, 2024

Pinned
Michelle was so good I had to come back. She taught me so much the first time around, but really took my writing to the next level and increased my productivity tremendously on the second go. I plan on using her for editing as well. Highly recommend!
Michelle S.
Thank you, Robert! I can't wait for our editing time together.
Michael B.

Michael B.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Michelle is a literary star. She really can hone in on a manuscript's theme and intuitively direct your attention and chisel away at what's not needed. A great editor!! And she is also fast and very easy to work with.
Michelle S.
I've enjoyed our work together. I'm always here to help!
Lauren A.

Lauren A.

Aug, 2023

Pinned
Michelle is knowledgable in many respects beyond editing. She understands the psychology of purchasing a book and how to best organize your book for its success in the marketplace (which is especially helpful for self-publishers). More importantly, Michelle recognizes the importance of the reader's heart as they read your book. Her attention to detail with regard to things like word choice and ...
Read more
Matt C.

Matt C.

Sep, 2024

Michelle was polite, responsive, and easy to work with, but the quality of the feedback was not what I was expected; it included a number of typographical errors, grammatical errors, oversights, and inconsistencies.
Michelle S.
While I apologize that my query letter review did not meet your expectations, if you will let me provide a free edit of your final letter I am happy to do so.
Bonnie T.

Bonnie T.

Sep, 2024

Michelle provided excellent feedback, suggestions, and corrections on my project. She was also flexible and gracious with my unexpected changes. I would definitely recommend her!
Michelle S.
I hope our paths cross again, Bonnie. You have been a pleasure to work with.

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