Penina Lopez

Penina Lopez – Editor

I'm a meticulous copyeditor with 20 years of publishing experience and a former production editor at Warner Books.

Overview

I'm a freelance copyeditor with 20+ years of publishing experience. I have copyedited hundreds of books for many different publishing houses, including Hachette Book Group, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster. I also work with independent authors who are planning to self-publish and those looking to polish their manuscript before submitting it to an agent. I've worked on books by a number of bestselling authors, including Melissa Foster, Jill Shalvis, Lisa McMann, and Stuart Gibbs.
Services
Fiction
Fantasy Middle Grade Mystery & Crime Paranormal Romance Romance Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • BA in English, Creative Writing, SUNY Albany

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2007 — Present

Hachette Book Group

May, 2001 — Dec, 2006 (over 5 years)

Kensington Publishing

Mar, 1999 — Apr, 2001 (about 2 years)

Production Assistant

Jul, 1997 — Feb, 1999 (over 1 year)

Portfolio

“Utterly charming.” —NPR “Cinematic.” —Teen Vogue “Funny and sweet.” —Buzzfeed “Dazzling.” —Bustle Three starred reviews for this charming romantic comedy about an aspiring teen filmmaker who finds her voice and falls in love, from the New York Times bestselli... read more
The inspiring autobiography of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who helped launch Apollo 11.As a young girl, Katherine Johnson showed an exceptional aptitude for math. In school she quickly skipped ahead several grades and was soon studying complex equati... read more
Rip Tides

Toby Neal

Surfing in Hawaii can be fame, talent and... murder. Poised to win the prestigious Triple Crown of Surfing, Maui surf star Makoa Simmons washes up tragically dead. Detective Lei Texeira plunges into a high-profile case whose dark and tangled motives reach deep... read more
The Plea: A Novel

Steve Cavanagh

“The Plea is one of the most purely entertaining books you'll read this year. It's a blast.” ―John Connolly, bestselling author of the Charlie Parker novels“Rip-roaring legal thriller…Twisty, bloody, and convincing.” ―Ian RankinAn innocent client. A wife in je... read more
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Black Dagger Brotherhood delivers the first novel in an enthralling new series set amid the shifting dynamics of a Southern family defined by wealth and privilege—and compromised by secrets, deceit, and scandal..... read more
A deadly game of cat and mouse filled with high stakes tension, Winterlong is the must-read new thriller for fans of Jack Reacher, Alex Cross, and Jason Bourne. It's been five years since Carter Blake parted ways with top-secret government operation Winterlong... read more
Folly Cove

Holly Robinson

An emotionally rich novel about family and secrets from the acclaimed author of Chance Harbor. The Bradford sisters are famous in Rockport, Massachusetts: for their beauty, their singing voices, their legendary ancestors, and their elegant mother, Sarah, who h... read more
A cooking contest becomes a fry to the finish in the new Deep Fried Mystery from the author of Out of the Dying Pan. Fry another day. The town of Wrensdale is abuzz with excitement when Steeltop Foods sponsors a cooking contest to promote its new product, the ... read more
HEARTS COLLIDE when a feisty city girl steps into Steve "Grizz" Johnson's rural mountain retreat. The Bradens are a series of stand-alone novels that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series. USA Today Bestseller In CRUSHING ON LOVE... Steve Johnson is... read more
Kings of America

R. J. Ellory

Kings of America
The Lovers' Tango

Mark Rubinstein

Everything in Bill Shaw's life changed the moment he met the beautiful actress Nora Reyes. But as a writer, he feared their love story would have a tragic ending. Fifteen years after that fateful encounter, Bill is in the DA s crosshairs: his research for a no... read more
The Ryders are a series of stand-alone romances that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger Love in Bloom series. RESCUED BY LOVE is a USA Today BestsellerIn RESCUED BY LOVE...Addison Dahl is excited to return to Elpitha Island for her best friend Gabriella... read more
A murderer is picking off the young Hollywood starlets gathered at the swanky Hearst Castle, and Lulu Kelly might be next—unless she can find the killer first in this glitzy, glamorous, and cinematic sequel to acclaimed film producer/director Adam Shankman and... read more
Ben goes undercover in the White House to take on a SPYDER operative determined to assassinate the president in this latest addition to the New York Times bestselling Spy School series.Thirteen-year-old Ben Ripley has had a lot of field success despite only ju... read more
Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond the islands in this first novel of a new sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”Identic... read more
Emily and Pegasus face their greatest challenge yet when they venture back to Earth to save a friend in this sixth and final book of an exciting series that puts a modern thrill into ancient mythology.After the events in Hawaii, Emily is contending with dimini... read more
A New York Times bestseller! From Morgan Matson, the bestselling author of Since You’ve Been Gone comes a feel-good story of friendship, finding yourself, and all the joys in life that happen while you’re busy making other plans.Andie has a plan. And she alway... read more
"The Great War is over, and change is in the air, in this novel that brings to life the exciting days of early British radio...and one woman who finds her voice while working alongside the brilliant women and men of the BBC. London, 1926. American-raised Maisi... read more
Starfish

Akemi Dawn Bowman

A William C. Morris Award Finalist A New York Public Library 2017 Best Book for Teens “Dazzling.” —Bustle “One of the most compelling reads of the year.” —Paste Magazine “This book is a gem.” —BookRiot A gorgeous and emotionally resonant debut novel about a ha... read more
Winter of Ice and Iron

Rachel Neumeier

In this gorgeous, dark fantasy in the spirit of Jacqueline Carey, a princess and a duke must protect the people of their nations when a terrible threat leaves everyone in danger.With the Mad King of Emmer in the north and the vicious King of Pohorir in the eas... read more
"A remarkable writer." -Neil Gaiman, bestselling author of American Gods An Alex Award Winner There is a dark secret that is hiding at the heart of New York City and diminishing the city's magicians' power in this fantasy thriller by acclaimed author Kat Howar... read more
A contemporary novel with a strong suspense element from Oscar-nominated actress Meg Tilly set on a peaceful island village in the Pacific Northwest.Dumped on the eve of her wedding and looking for a quiet place to lick her emotional wounds, Maggie Harris join... read more
The Last Magician

Lisa Maxwell

An instant New York Times bestseller! “Will keep you guessing until the last page.” —Cinda Williams Chima, New York Times bestselling author A girl travels back in time to find a mysterious book that could save her future in Lisa Maxwell’s “splendid series ope... read more
The Effigies seek out the true origins of the Phantoms that terrorize their world in this thrilling follow-up to Fate of Flames, which Elise Chapman calls “an immersive and monstrously fun read.”There’s nowhere to hide. Not when you’re an Effigy. No matter whe... read more
Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Mean Girls as lovably flawed high school student Chloe Snow chronicles another year in her life while she navigates the highs and lows of family, friendship, school, and love in a diary that sparkles with humor and warmth.It’s Chloe... read more
He brought you S’WANEE: A PARANOID THRILLER and THE UNION CLUB: A SUBVERSIVE THRILLER. Now the curtain rises on Don Winston’s most fiendish tale yet… Betty Rose Milenski dreams of Broadway. Talented, ambitious, and obsessed, she was the biggest fish in college... read more
USA Today bestselling author Hope Ramsay proves that love arrives when we least expect it.Courtney Wallace loves her job as a wedding planner, but she's almost given up on her own happily-ever-after. She certainly doesn't it expect to find it with Matthew Lynd... read more
Summer Bird Blue

Akemi Dawn Bowman

A mixed race teen struggles to find her way back to her love of music in the wake of her sister’s tragic death in this incisive, lyrical novel that’s perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jennifer Niven, by the author of William C. Morris Award finalist Starfish... read more
Fans of Kristen Callihan, L.J. Shen, and Kylie Scott will scream for this sizzling bad boy rock star romance! I'm not who you think I am.Shane Hawthorne has it all. At least, that's what the headlines say about me. I have millions of fans, awards, more money -... read more
"Heartfelt and delightful!"- RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author Wedding Planner Rule #1: Never, ever fall for the groomThere's nothing Jenna Bell loves more than a happily-ever-after. That's why being a wedding planner is her dream job - until t... read more
He's a good detective...with a bad habit.One of the best crime novels of 2016! - The New York Times Book Review, BooklistFrank Marr knows crime in Washington, DC. A decorated former police detective, he retired early and now ekes a living as a private eye for ... read more

Penina has 6 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Dennis C.

Dennis C.

Oct, 2022

Penina does excellent work. I believe my project benefitted from the help Penina provided. I would highly recommend using Penina's editing services.
Gal B.

Gal B.

Feb, 2021

This was an OMG!! experience. As an editor, I am a tough crowd... I know what a good editing process should feel like. Working with Penina had been pure delight from start to finish. Her sharp eye missed nothing! It was easy to communicate with her, and she was mindful of my tight schedule, and delivered way ahead of time, without compromising on the quality of her work. Best value for money. I...
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Sean F.

Sean F.

May, 2020

Short version: Penina did an excellent job copy editing my manuscript. Thank you, Penina! Long version: After much browsing and revising of search criteria, I found five great candidates for my copy-editing job. Penina’s sample edit hit the sweet spot. Her final edit delivered on the promise of the sample and more. I explained the manuscript’s eccentricities and outlined my concerns, which she ...
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Zack B.

Zack B.

Jan, 2019

What can I say, I had such a good experience, I went through her again.
Dan L.

Dan L.

Nov, 2018

Penina was professional and a pleasure to work with from start to finish. She sent a prompt sample edit, which was not only the best that I received from other Reedsy professionals, but better than or equal to others I explored outside Reedsy. She also sold herself, providing an example of a young adult fantasy book that she had edited, which additionally reassured me that she would enjoy wor...
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