Oksana Marafioti - Editor
I'm an award-winning author, teacher, and editor. I love books and writers!
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Overview
I'm an award-winning memoirist, teacher, and editor. I love books and writers!
Although I write full-time, my true calling has always been teaching. In this capacity, I've helped hundreds of writers to improve their craft, reach their goals, and really fall in love with their narratives. I think this experience makes me the perfect editing partner for writers.
I'm an experienced editor with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry, skilled in developmental/copy editing and proofreading, as well as in web content and journalism. I speak three languages, which makes me quite comfortable working with non-native English speakers. Need a ghostwriter? I can do that, too. I'm very punctual and always meet my deadlines. I think staying on task with things comes from my experience homeschooling my two kids, one of whom started college at sixteen. Writing projects are exciting, no matter the stage. Where most writers shrink away from editing, I embrace it. There's nothing better than helping bring a story to life, and most of the time, the journey of getting there takes more than one person.
I work hard for my writers because I believe that if you've come this far in your writing it means you have something important to say and that you need to be heard.
I'm a college English/Literature professor and I love helping other writers reach their potential so much that I also teach creative writing courses and host professional writer talks at a writing studio I founded in 2016.
Drop me a line and let's talk!
Although I write full-time, my true calling has always been teaching. In this capacity, I've helped hundreds of writers to improve their craft, reach their goals, and really fall in love with their narratives. I think this experience makes me the perfect editing partner for writers.
I'm an experienced editor with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry, skilled in developmental/copy editing and proofreading, as well as in web content and journalism. I speak three languages, which makes me quite comfortable working with non-native English speakers. Need a ghostwriter? I can do that, too. I'm very punctual and always meet my deadlines. I think staying on task with things comes from my experience homeschooling my two kids, one of whom started college at sixteen. Writing projects are exciting, no matter the stage. Where most writers shrink away from editing, I embrace it. There's nothing better than helping bring a story to life, and most of the time, the journey of getting there takes more than one person.
I work hard for my writers because I believe that if you've come this far in your writing it means you have something important to say and that you need to be heard.
I'm a college English/Literature professor and I love helping other writers reach their potential so much that I also teach creative writing courses and host professional writer talks at a writing studio I founded in 2016.
Drop me a line and let's talk!
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Cultural & Ethnic
Literary Fiction
Romance
Short Story
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Certifications
- MFA in Creative Writing
Awards
- Library of Congress Kluge Center Research Fellowship
- Picador Professorship Award for Distinguished Writing
Work experience
Founder
Self-employed
May, 2016
–
Present
(over 5 years)
Lounge Writers is a creative writing studio where writers of all levels can come together to enhance their craft. I believe that meaningful interactions with like-minded people enrich the story-telling process and help creativity thrive. Our workshops, lectures, classes, and panels are led by professional and award-winning writers. I personally design and teach some of the classes, focusing on every aspect of the craft, from outlining to polishing. As part of our services, I also provide multi-level editing services to writers in various genres. I work closely with my clients to help them reach their goals. You can find us at loungewriters dot com.
Co-Editor
Central European University, Critical Romani Studies Journal
May, 2015
–
Present
(over 6 years)
My task as a co-editor of the special issue of the Critical Romani Studies Journal is to compile a list of short stories written by authors (many of them also academics) from all over the world. To ensure the highest quality of writing, I'm personally involved in all levels of the editing process, from developmental edits to proofreading. A large number of authors aren't native English speakers. My multilingual and editorial backgrounds allow me to efficiently work on grammar, syntax, semantics, and content assessment with this group of highly accomplished professionals.
English Instructor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
May, 2013
–
Present
(over 8 years)
Portfolio (6 selected works)
American Gypsy: A Memoir
Oksana Marafioti
A vivid and funny memoir about growing up Gypsy and becoming AmericanFifteen-year-old Oksana Marafioti is a Gypsy. This means touring with the family band from the Mongolian deserts to the Siberian tundra. It means getting your hair cut in "the Lioness." It also means enduring sneering racism from every segment of Soviet society. Her father is determined that his girls lead a better, freer lif... read more
Donatti's Lunatics
Ana Mara
When a team of ghost hunters goes rogue, Olivia Stone, rookie federal agent, is dispatched to investigate. What starts off as a simple assignment quickly turns into a job from hell. Literally. Not only does Olivia join the ghost hunters in a battle against murderous demons, she also falls hard for James Donatti, the team's enigmatic leader who makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. As... read more
Fairy Tale Review: The Grey Issue #8
Kate Bernheimer
When we speak of grey as a location, placing a thing into a grey area, the color represents territory where the definite becomes lost. Grey lets us know that the truth is not always clear; even the most well-known paths can turn strange when a low grey cloud of fog rolls in. Grey is an act of subtraction, the loss of sun, joy, and color. Regrets are the natural property of grey hairs, said Dic... read more
The Perpetual Engine of Hope: Short Stories Inspired by Iconic Las Vegas Photographs
K. W. Jeter, Dayvid Figler, Juan Martinez, Oksana Marafioti, Alissa Nutting, Megan Edwards
The Perpetual Engine of Hope, a collection of short stories inspired by vintage Las Vegas photographs, takes you on an epic journey from the heyday of the mob era to a dystopian future of dashed dreams. No matter the genre, from crime noir to horror, psychological drama to urban fantasy, these stories have something compelling to say about Las Vegas and its ability to inspire hope even amid th... read more
Experience the “Real Las Vegas” Through Writings About ReinventionIn a wide-ranging anthology that moves from the ancient artists of southern Nevada who carved petroglyphs into rock walls to contemporary family trauma, 10 Las Vegas essayists examine the weight of the past on the present―and, perhaps, the future. Set in and around a city with its own peculiar and complicated relationship to the... read more
Immigrant Voices, Volume 2
Gordon Hutner
A compelling collection of essays providing a comprehensive vision of immigration to the United States in the late twentieth and twenty-first centuries—the indispensable companion to Immigrant Voices.Filled with moving narratives by authors from around the world, Immigrant Voices: Volume II delivers a global and intimate look at the challenges modern immigrants confront. Their stories, told wi... read more
Oksana has 9 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
What most distinguishes Oksana from the other editors I've worked with over the years is her sincere desire to help writers succeed in their craft. She actually cares about the development of my manuscript. To anyone reading this, I think you know what a blessing that is.
Jacob Kelly, June 2021
Oksana was super on point about everything. She made sure she got to every inch and nook of my writing and gave really great feedback. I was highly impressed with her work and definitely plan to work with her again in the future. It was also a complete pleasure working with her, she was so kind and understanding!
Nusrat Zeba, April 2021
What a beautiful journey!
Working with Oksana on my debut novel was an insightful process for me, leaving me inspired and ready to make my manuscript a worthy read.
All along, she provided me with all the necessary tools to work with. Her developmental editing notes were priceless, and they helped me to understand what should I do to make my raw manuscript into a readable novel.
We've had a gre...
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Denis Yachmenyov, April 2021
Oksana is truly one of a kind! I had read and reread my own book so many times that I was just about sick of it! LOL! But Oksana gave me such rich and meaningful feedback & suggestions that I was able to find a new love for my book again. She was able to pull more emotions out of me, which gave me the ability to take certain sections of my book to a deeper level.
Oksana, you are SO talented a...
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T J, February 2021
Oksana and I were a perfect fit! I didn't think I had any more to give my book, but her suggestions brought it out of me and took my book from great to phenomenal! Her suggestions were spot on and she left kind, encouraging remarks throughout which helped to keep me motivated. I would recommend Oksana to anyone who wants to take their writing to deeper and more well-rounded levels. Thank you, O...
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T J, October 2020
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