Mick Silva – Editor

Hi, I’m Mick. :)

Having worked as a developmental editor for publishers over 25 years, I've worked on all kinds of books. I've coached and edited counselors, couples, executive coaches, memoirists, and various professionals who have written powerful stories of personal discovery and recovery. I've edited some USA Today and New York Times bestsellers, but what I really love is guiding authors in the best way to say what they mean and then refine what they said.

When I worked for a well-known publisher in Colorado, developmental editing and acquiring books, I was lucky to find "How We Love," a great guide on healing attachment wounds for couples. In 2005, I became acquisitions editor for a division of Random House (now PRH), and worked with many new and established nonfiction authors.

In 2010, I worked on the NYT bestselling memoir One Thousand Gifts, and then went full-time freelance, coaching authors through writing, editing, and the contract phase. After eight years being independent, I accepted a Senior Editor role at HarperCollins, and continued working with authors to expand their messages to those recovering from religious control, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), gaining experience in the grief and trauma-recovery categories.

I’ve since been awarded "Editor of the Year" a couple of times by industry organizations, and some books I've worked on have been recognized here and there as well. I love building relationships with authors, editors, agents, and independent publishers helping to grow readers' recognition of the huge market for professional memoir.

Helping authors join and support this incredible community is the greatest part of my job. I now focus exclusively on coaching and developing unique works of art forged from long-held pain. The independent and progressive publishing category for memoirists is strong and not slowing down, and for the nones, "dones," and spiritually curious, it's an exciting time in the market. I'm happy to discuss the opportunities for writers looking to navigate the book world, whether independent or conventional.