Overview

I edit, proofread and evaluate manuscripts for writers.

By editing, I mean substantive/structural editing and copyediting. Checking your manuscript for grammar, spelling, punctuation and style errors, while maintaining consistency in the names of persons, places and things. I will work with authors to ensure their manuscript flows in a coherent fashion, has a logical structure, is readable and doesn't contain factual errors.

By proofreading, I mean looking over an already edited manuscript for mistakes, ensuring that page and chapter numbers and titles are correct, etc.

A manuscript evaluation involves weighing the merits of your book, pointing out the good and the bad and offering insights on the plausibility of your plot and characters and the readability of your story. The goal, as with editing and proofreading, is to prepare a manuscript for publication. I generally use Track Changes in Microsoft Word to perform my editing and proofreading duties, but am entirely flexible if an author prefers to use an alternative system.

I can edit to either Canadian (CP-Style) or American (The Chicago Manual of Style) standards. Just tell me in advance which standard you want to follow.

As for my background, I am a full-time freelance writer/author. I have written extensively for magazines and newspapers and am the author of a series of books, primarily in the true-crime genre.

I have proofread editorial and advertising copy on a freelance basis for magazines and marketing firms.

As a Reedsy editor, I have edited or proofread several novels from up-and-coming writers. These books have ranged from suspenseful thrillers and military adventures to science fiction and fantasy novels. I also gained valuable editing experience working on my own books.

I am comfortable with both fiction and non-fiction.

Beyond the printed word, I built and manage a blog on crime writing and crime-related issues.

I live in Toronto, Canada, charge reasonable rates and look forward to hearing from you.

-Nate Hendley, Editor/Proofreader/Author


Testimonials:

"The most important part of a writer's life is finding a good editor and I have found a great one in Nate Hendley. He has edited three of my novels and I fully intend on having him edit future ones. When I receive my edited book back, I'm so pleased with Nate's comments. He locates any and all problems and his suggestions are spot on. Because of Nate, my novels improve greatly and I'm so proud of the finished product. Anyone looking for an editor couldn't find a better one than Nate."
-Patty Lesser, author of "A Discerning Heart", "That Truthful Place", "Devouring Time and "The
Perfect Hand"

"Nate did an editorial assessment of my story as I requested and provided his knowledge on how to improve it. So glad I selected Nate."
-G.W. Boutilier, author of “Illuminati Hitman”

"I hired Nate to proof my manuscript and he did a great, thorough job of it in only one week. Looking over his edits, they were all subtle, invaluable touches that provided me with extra confidence before I moved on to typesetting."
-M.F. Sullivan, author of the novel, "Delilah, My Woman"

Services

Languages

Fiction

Non-Fiction

The Mafia: A Guide to an American Subculture (Guides to Subcultures and Countercultures)

Nate Hendley

Based on original sources and research, not legends and myth, this book presents a lively, in-depth analysis of how the American Mafia epitomizes organized crime.• Includes historical, social, economic, and cultural context that further clarifies the significance of the Mafia's operations and makes for more engaging reading• Focuses on verifiable information about the Mafia while avoiding hear... read more

Based on original sources and research, not legends and myth, this book presents a lively, in-depth analysis of how the American Mafia epitomizes organized crime.• Includes historical, social, economic, and cultural context that further clarifies the significance of the Mafia's operations and makes for more engaging reading• Focuses on verifiable information about the Mafia while avoiding hear... read more

American Gangsters, Then and Now: An Encyclopedia

Nate Hendley

A detailed compendium of American gangsters and gangs from the end of the Civil War to the present day.• Comprises 50 alphabetically organized entries on American gangsters and gangs from the post-Civil War era to the present• Offers a wealth of primary sources, including newspaper articles dating back to the 1880s and FBI files obtained by the author• Includes photographs of prominent America... read more

A detailed compendium of American gangsters and gangs from the end of the Civil War to the present day.• Comprises 50 alphabetically organized entries on American gangsters and gangs from the post-Civil War era to the present• Offers a wealth of primary sources, including newspaper articles dating back to the 1880s and FBI files obtained by the author• Includes photographs of prominent America... read more

John Lennon: Music, Myth and Madness

Nate Hendley

Arguably the most famous musician of all time, John Lennon was enormously successful when it came to selling records and filling concert halls, but a failure in certain aspects of his private life. Neither a tribute nor a smear, Nate Hendley's book on John Lennon examines the brilliant but troubled figure behind the man who led the Beatles. Much of the information in the book comes from interv... read more

Arguably the most famous musician of all time, John Lennon was enormously successful when it came to selling records and filling concert halls, but a failure in certain aspects of his private life. Neither a tribute nor a smear, Nate Hendley's book on John Lennon examines the brilliant but troubled figure behind the man who led the Beatles. Much of the information in the book comes from interv... read more

Bonnie and Clyde: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

Nate Hendley

Motivated by greed and sadism―or perhaps by poverty and boredom―star-crossed lovers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow set out on a series of robberies throughout the American Southwest, many of which ended in murder. Frustrated by the suffocating poverty of the Great Depression, they were especially eager to target their oppressors―banks, store owners, and at times, the police. Their numerous cri... read more

Motivated by greed and sadism―or perhaps by poverty and boredom―star-crossed lovers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow set out on a series of robberies throughout the American Southwest, many of which ended in murder. Frustrated by the suffocating poverty of the Great Depression, they were especially eager to target their oppressors―banks, store owners, and at times, the police. Their numerous cri... read more

The Big Con: Great Hoaxes, Frauds, Grifts, and Swindles in American History

Nate Hendley

This book examines a broad range of infamous scams, cons, swindles, and hoaxes throughout American history―and considers why human gullibility continues in an age of easy access to information.• Explores figures such as "Yellow Kid" Weil, Charles Ponzi, Orson Welles, and Frank Abagnale, among others• Provides insight into human nature―gullibility being one aspect of it―throughout the ages, add... read more

This book examines a broad range of infamous scams, cons, swindles, and hoaxes throughout American history―and considers why human gullibility continues in an age of easy access to information.• Explores figures such as "Yellow Kid" Weil, Charles Ponzi, Orson Welles, and Frank Abagnale, among others• Provides insight into human nature―gullibility being one aspect of it―throughout the ages, add... read more

Crystal Death: North America's Most Dangerous Drug

Nate Hendley

A hard-hitting look at the most dangerous illegal drug in North America. A fact-based account featuring up to the minute interviews and life stories from users, dealers and doctors, with a Canadian perspective on the problem and its potential solutions. An important book for teachers, parents and anyone interested in, or living close to, this devastating drug. Includes advice on how to talk ef... read more

A hard-hitting look at the most dangerous illegal drug in North America. A fact-based account featuring up to the minute interviews and life stories from users, dealers and doctors, with a Canadian perspective on the problem and its potential solutions. An important book for teachers, parents and anyone interested in, or living close to, this devastating drug. Includes advice on how to talk ef... read more

The Black Donnellys: The Outrageous Tale of Canada's Deadliest Feud (Amazing Stories)

Nate Hendley

"Johannah trained her sons to fight dirty. A knee to the groin, a thumb to an eye, all was fair as long as a Donnelly prevailed." "Hit first, talk later," she told her boys. This book will be especially fascinating for all readers interested in: crime biography. The gruesome saga of the Black Donnellys has been heavily mythologized. A thick layer of rumour, legend, and hearsay has built up aro... read more

"Johannah trained her sons to fight dirty. A knee to the groin, a thumb to an eye, all was fair as long as a Donnelly prevailed." "Hit first, talk later," she told her boys. This book will be especially fascinating for all readers interested in: crime biography. The gruesome saga of the Black Donnellys has been heavily mythologized. A thick layer of rumour, legend, and hearsay has built up aro... read more

Steven Truscott: Decades of Injustice

Nate Hendley

Imagine being a 14 year-old boy who takes a classmate on a bike ride one spring evening. In the days to follow, the classmate is found dead and you stand accused of rape and murder. There's no direct physical evidence tying you to the crime, but that doesn't matter. In a lightning fast trial you are convicted and sentenced to death. As far as the press and public are concerned, you are guilty ... read more

Imagine being a 14 year-old boy who takes a classmate on a bike ride one spring evening. In the days to follow, the classmate is found dead and you stand accused of rape and murder. There's no direct physical evidence tying you to the crime, but that doesn't matter. In a lightning fast trial you are convicted and sentenced to death. As far as the press and public are concerned, you are guilty ... read more

That Truthful Place

Patty Lesser

On the night of his thirteenth birthday, Alex Mitchell fell into a coma. Three days later he awoke, having suffered no ill effects, yet something was very different about him. Other people’s thoughts now wafted through his mind like radio waves. With no clue as to why he was granted such a unique gift, Alex’s mind speaks into the darkness, calling out for any others like him. Kat Setterlee, an... read more

On the night of his thirteenth birthday, Alex Mitchell fell into a coma. Three days later he awoke, having suffered no ill effects, yet something was very different about him. Other people’s thoughts now wafted through his mind like radio waves. With no clue as to why he was granted such a unique gift, Alex’s mind speaks into the darkness, calling out for any others like him. Kat Setterlee, an... read more

A Discerning Heart

Patty Lesser

A Discerning Heart is part romance, part fantasy, part cautionary tale. A rollicking story of an Old World fisherman who looked for love and acceptance but settled for power and wealth. Throw in a mysterious island and even more mysterious mermaid and an enchanting story emerges. Sex, lies and a long missing pirate’s identity are all major plot points in this fantastical romantic adventure.

A Discerning Heart is part romance, part fantasy, part cautionary tale. A rollicking story of an Old World fisherman who looked for love and acceptance but settled for power and wealth. Throw in a mysterious island and even more mysterious mermaid and an enchanting story emerges. Sex, lies and a long missing pirate’s identity are all major plot points in this fantastical romantic adventure.

Devouring Time

Patty Lesser

British lawyer Marcus Tate wasn’t expecting to find himself in the middle of a murder mystery when he agreed to hand deliver a strange package to an unknown client in Toronto, Canada. Nor was he expecting to get sucked into the vortex of a high-brow but dysfunctional family obsessed with artwork and money. Along the way, Marcus has to reckon with some secrets of his own and the thrilling possi... read more

British lawyer Marcus Tate wasn’t expecting to find himself in the middle of a murder mystery when he agreed to hand deliver a strange package to an unknown client in Toronto, Canada. Nor was he expecting to get sucked into the vortex of a high-brow but dysfunctional family obsessed with artwork and money. Along the way, Marcus has to reckon with some secrets of his own and the thrilling possi... read more