Rachel Pass – Editor

I edit books that help people. This includes fiction and nonfiction books that deal directly with difficult issues like grief, injustice, and illness, as well as educational and reference texts.

I specialize in historical fiction, short stories, YA, literary nonfiction (memoir, etc.), and therapeutic self-help books that deal with mental health, difficult family relationships, social and racial justice, and healing. My passion for these topics stems from my own struggles and healing process, my years of teaching in alternative education settings, and my experience as a former foster parent and the adoptive mom of two wonderful kids with special needs.

One of my favorite projects was completing a developmental edit for the award-winning A Series of Small Maneuvers by Eliot Treichel. This YA novel deals with the teenage protagonist's grief over the death of her father. Another highlight was copyediting Ruth Tenzer Feldman's The Blue Thread, which deals with women's rights through a historical fiction lens. The Blue Thread won the Oregon Book Award for Young Adult fiction. I have also copyedited and proofread multiple poetry and short-story collections with related themes.

Another passion of mine is working on educational and instructional/DIY texts. For example, editing and project managing for the book, We Belong in History: Writing with William Stafford was a joy. This book offered educators ideas for teaching William Stafford's poetry in the classroom and included a collection of student poems modeled on Stafford's work. In the instructional/DIY space, I really enjoy working with fiber arts texts. I have been sewing for the past 35 years, knitting for 25, and have edited a variety of garment-sewing pattern booklets for Fabrics-Store dot com.

Please reach out with any questions or thoughts about your book project. I will be happy to talk with you and see if we would be a good fit!