Natalie O'Neal Clausen – Editor

As a former university press senior acquisitions editor, I understand what it takes for an idea to become a successful proposal and for that successful proposal to become a published book. With nearly a decade of editing and publishing experience, I have helped shepherd many award-winning academic and trade nonfiction books to publication. My specialties include academic monographs in the humanities and natural sciences, biographies, narrative nonfiction, and creative nonfiction for both trade and academic publishers. Whether you have an idea that needs finessing, a dissertation that needs reshaping into a book, a peer-reviewed manuscript you need a second (or third or fourth) set of eyes on, or a final draft that requires a bit of high-level tweaking, I’m here for it and would love to work with you.

My strengths are in organization, narrative structure and thread, and clarity, resulting in an accessible manuscript that captures an audience no matter the subject. I especially like working on edited volumes and hybrid memoir/nonfiction (where the author incorporates their life experiences for relatability and impact).

I try to edit with compassion and cannot hold back a "who knew?" or "!" when I read a particularly interesting tidbit. I ask prompting questions in the margins and offer gentle and, sometimes, forthright suggestions. Overall, I love a story, and my passion is supporting authors so that their story unfolds clearly over many, many pages.

***Testimonials***

Working with someone as kind and insightful as Natalie O’Neal on three publications has been an incredible boon to me. Not only does she bring great natural instincts to the manuscript’s development and maturation, she instills in her authors such confidence as to make them produce their most authentic and high-quality work. I will never forget her quiet encouragement and the way it made my writing better.

--Jessica K. Whitehead, award-winning author of three books, including DRIFTWOOD: THE LIFE OF HARLAN HUBBARD and THE HISTORY OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY IN 75 OBJECTS

Natalie’s ability to navigate complex historical narratives and support the integration of diverse scholarly voices has enriched the quality and depth of my previous works…Her thoughtful feedback and strategic guidance helped us navigate both the academic and public-facing dimensions of the project. Natalie exemplifies the best of publishing—bringing rigor, empathy, and vision to every stage of the editorial process.

--Eric Jackson, Associate Dean and Professor of History at Northern Kentucky University, award-winning author and editor of several books, including INTRODUCTION TO BLACK STUDIES and the forthcoming FULL OF FAITH, FULL OF HOPE: THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN KENTUCKY'S BORDER LANDS