Philip Bashe – Editor

After a career in newspapers, magazines, and radio, I fell into writing books in 1985. Eighteen nonfiction titles later I began copyediting/line editing and fact-checking other authors' books for Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, and other major publishers. I find it equally rewarding to help writers make their work shine--whether it's a first-time author or one with multiple titles. (Contact me through Reedsy for a list of all the books I have authored or edited.)

Because I am an author, I know how to dig inside a manuscript and make suggestions based on the big picture. I'll be blunt: I am not a timid line editor. I do the kind of intensive edit that I wish my own books had received. I would have been grateful had a copyeditor transformed a sentence of mine from needlessly passive to more active, or streamlined a flabby sentence, or alerted me that I'd overused an adjective and suggested alternatives, or noted when, say, a reference to a relatively obscure person or event would benefit from additional bio and/or background information. That is what I can do for you, with the mutual understanding that you, the author, ultimately have the final say and can accept, modify, or ignore the copyeditor's suggestions.

The reality is that in today's publishing world, few in-house acquiring editors have the time to give every manuscript the attention it deserves. In short, you're largely on your own. Writing a book is a Herculean task; therefore it is essential to have an experienced, painstakingly thorough, and supportive copy editor and fact-checker in your corner.

In addition to methodically editing your work for organization, tone, and consistency--either electronically, using Word Track Changes, or on hard copy--I ensure that all spelling is correct and that all matters of punctuation, syntax, style, and so on conform to the style bible of the publishing industry, "The Chicago Manual of Style." I also rigorously fact-check every name, place, product, company, date, and extracted text in the manuscript--including endnotes. If I find a factual error, I cite one or more sources and include the link(s) for your review.

Here are just two of the many kind comments I've received from grateful authors:

“With my book finally complete, I wanted to take a moment to express again my sincerest thanks for your extraordinary copyediting. I’ve never been copyedited so carefully before, and I appreciate the time, care, and thought that went into your work. It was amazing to have someone joining me inside the lines of my writing. Not only is the book improved, but so am I as a writer.”—Ilyon Woo, PhD, "Master Slave Husband Wife" (Simon & Schuster, 2023)

“Thank you so much for your genius copyediting and fact-checking. I feel so lucky that I got paired with you because you took my manuscript to the next level. You are a true talent, and I hope we get to work together again. In eternal gratitude and fandom.”—Elizabeth Greenwood, "Playing Dead" (Simon & Schuster, 2016)