Paula C. – Editor

My NYC copy editing career started with a trial by fire: my first book was coauthored by three different writers working in their second and even third languages. Daunting? Absolutely. But I was amazed at how quickly I became invested in my authors’ work and the effort I was willing to put in to help bring their ideas to life. That dedication led my career to flourish through word-of-mouth recommendations as a caring and meticulous editor, and I went on to establish longtime relationships with private clients and a range of industry-leading publishers from Oxford University Press to the renowned indie publisher Grove Atlantic.

For me, collaboration is key. I strive to provide honest, detailed, practical feedback on structure, continuity, tone, and, of course, readability. With your vision in mind, I focus on unrealized opportunities to enrich narrative flow and to ensure every book—over 230 to date—is accessible and immersive to a general reader. I also love to brainstorm and explore themes that spark your imagination and add depth to your manuscript. When you work with me, you can expect engaged, compassionate, seasoned analysis.

Favorite genres: postapocalyptic fiction (Prophet, Helen Macdonald, Sin Blaché; I Cheerfully Refuse, Leif Enger), memoir (The Yellow House, Sarah M. Broom; The Wrong Way to Save Your Life, Megan Stielstra; Also a Poet, Ada Calhoun), history/investigative journalism (Wilmington’s Lie, David Zucchino; Never Been a Time, Harper Barnes; Dream Land, Sam Quinones).

I especially value culturally expansive writing—Black history and experience (see above) and Southern literary fiction (Two-Step Devil, Jamie Quatro; Crooked Hallelujah, Kelli Jo Ford).