Monica James - Editor
Veteran copy editor for leading New York City publishers who enjoys collaborating with writers to make their work the best it can be.
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Overview
I'm a copy editor and proofreader with more than 15 years' experience and a diverse client list that includes St. Martin's, Penguin Random House, Regan Arts, John Wiley & Sons, and Page Street Publishing. Whether it's a novel or a cookbook, I love polishing a manuscript until it shines. I excel at eagle-eyed proofreading, concise edits, and kindly worded suggestions for tweaks to bring out the best in each author's work. Please get in touch if you'd like to discuss your project.
Services
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Management
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Romance
Thriller & Suspense
Young Adult
Work experience
Copy Editor
Scholastic
February, 2009
–
May, 2015
(about 6 years)
Freelance Copy Editor/Proofreader
Self-Employed
October, 2004
–
Present
(over 18 years)
Clients include St. Martin's, Wiley, Random House, Regan Arts, as well as Glamour, Vanity Fair, Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, and Rolling Stone.
Portfolio (16 selected works)
It'll Be Fine: A True Story
Rebecca Rose
While the conduit of this book is a genuine love story, a more important tale lies within it. This is the real, unfiltered story of how I discovered the woman inside me who knows what she’s TRULY worth; whose said worth doesn’t come from her outward appearance, accomplishments, or other human beings. It’s about finally learning how to love myself enough to renounce poisonous people, thoughts, ... read more
The Prophet
Kahlil Gibran
2015 Reprint of the 1923 Edition. Kahlil Gibran's masterpiece, "The Prophet", is one of the most beloved classics of our time. Published in 1923, it has been translated into more than twenty languages, and the American editions alone have sold more than nine million copies. "The Prophet" is a collection of poetic essays that are philosophical, spiritual, and, above all, inspirational. Gibran's... read more
Angel Lane
Sheila Roberts
With irresistible humor, warmth, and affection, author Sheila Roberts serves up a generous, open-hearted story about the friendships we make, the chances we take, and the lives we touch every day. Keep the heart in Heart Lake. That's exactly what three small-town shop owners hope to do when they launch their "Have a Heart" campaign-asking neighbors to commit one random act of kindness every da... read more
Your Next Breath (Catherine Ling)
Iris Johansen
SHE CAN RUN FROM THE PAST. Catherine Ling created a brand-new life for herself, far from her rough beginnings on the streets of Hong Kong. But someone has followed her trail...and is playing a deadly game with her, striking closer to her heart with each blow. First, there's the death of the former prostitute who helped Catherine when she was still a child. Next, the CIA operative who had known... read more
Everything she knows about her life is a lie. When Geniver gave birth to a stillborn daughter, her whole world came crashing down. Eight years later, she and her husband, Art, have slipped into the kind of rut that seems inescapable. But then a stranger shows up at their home, telling Gen the very thing she's always wanted to hear…How far will she go to learn the truth?It's insane, unbelievabl... read more
Live and Let Love: An Agent Ex Novel
Gina Robinson
Live and Let LoveGina RobinsonThough Willow Pierce has moved forward since her husband died two years ago, she can't ignore her sixth sense that Jack is alive.When newcomer Con Russo comes to town, Willow is convinced he's Jack. She'd never forget his eyes. Willow is determined to learn the truth about Con's identity―even if it means brazenly seducing him. Secret agent Jack Pierce was almost k... read more
The RopeNevada BarrIt's 1995. Fresh off the bus from New York City, a broken-hearted 35-year-old named Anna Pigeon takes her first job as a park employee: a decidedly unglamorous, seasonal stint at the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. On her day off, she goes hiking alone in the park―never to return. Her co-workers assume she's moved on since her cabin is cleaned out. But when Anna wake... read more
Eyes of a Child
Richard North Patterson
A man has been found dead, a gun still wedged in his mouth. It looks like Ricardo Arias killed himself…but the physical evidence tells a different story. The police investigation turns up all sorts of troubling data―a bitter estrangement between Ricardo and his wife, Terri; an ugly custody battle over their six-year-old daughter, Elena; charges of child molestation. And before long there's a m... read more
Bestselling and Thurber Prize–winning humorist David Rakoff was one of the most original, delightfully acerbic voices of his generation. Here, in one place, is the best of his previously uncollected material—most never before published in book form. David Rakoff’s singular personality spills from every page of this witty and entertaining volume, which includes travel features, early fiction wo... read more
To celebrate her 75th birthday, Linda Gray, the iconic star of Dallas and timeless beauty, is sharing her road map to happiness in her revelatory memoir.When Linda Gray, iconic star of Dallas, was twenty years old, a magazine editor coldly rejected her as a model, writing that, perhaps one day, “you might shape into something.” Since then, Linda has been evolving and growing, and has shaped in... read more
Save the Bees with Natural Backyard Hives: The Easy and Treatment-Free Way to Attract and Keep Healthy Bees
Rob McFarland, Chelsea McFarland
Save the Bees with Natural, Chemical-Free BeekeepingRob and Chelsea McFarland first started caring for bees, then founded the nonprofit HoneyLove, to meet a need often heard today - we've got to save the bees. For more than two decades, honeybee colonies have steadily declined around the world. Bees and other pollinators are one of the most critical components of our food supply - if they disa... read more
A Lookbook of Style, A Cookbook of Easy RecipesWho says fashionistas can't enjoy delicious food? Jessica Milan, a model-turned-photographer and health-conscious foodie, brings you a lookbook of unique style and a cookbook of tasty vegan and gluten-free meals. Flip through and you will find super simple recipes for smoothies, apps, snacks, mains and treats paired with photos of real girls indul... read more
Get in the Kitchen with Pro Tips, Tricks, Shortcuts & Amazing RecipesThe Clever Cookbook is your kitchen’s new best friend. Emilie Raffa’s debut cookbook is packed with all the timesaving shortcuts and flavor-boosting tips that she learned in culinary school and puts to use daily as a busy mom cooking easy and delicious meals for her family. When you cook with this book, it’s like Emilie is ri... read more
Over 120 Easy Recipes That Battle Autoimmune Illness and Heal Your BodyLet Nourish show you just how delicious healing can be! Following the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol can reduce inflammation and ease your autoimmune symptoms with every bite. With over 120 simple, tasty and nutrient-dense recipes, Nourish can help you heal your gut, regain your health and feel great.Recipes like Glazed & Baked ... read more
The Ways to New: 15 Paths to Disruptive Innovation
Jean-Marie Dru
Break free and lead the market with the roadmap to Disruption The Ways to New gives you a blueprint for innovation, helping you dig your organization out of the quicksand and get on the fast track to growth. Author Jean-Marie Dru is the originator the Disruption methodology, which he shares here; he is also an international authority on breaking the mold and leading the market, and this book i... read more
Monica has 17 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Monica always does a great job. I've hired her for two or three other projects and I'm always very happy with the result. Thank you!
James Colannino, July 2020
I really enjoy working with Monica, and I now consider her to be my go-to proof reader. Not only does she have a keen eye for detail and catches subtle mistakes, she also takes the time to document why she makes her changes. The result is that you not only get a more polished manuscript but also learn more about the English language in the process.
James Colannino, March 2019
Although I sort of expected more interaction throughout the editing process, the final product was more than acceptable. Monica did a good job in a short time.
Edana Corbin, December 2018
Monica was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her attention to detail gave my manuscript the final touches it needed to present it to the world. I hope to work with her again soon.
Stephanie Medina, October 2018
Monica did a great job. She helped my book mature.
Marlene Pitcher, October 2018
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