Rachel Pass

Rachel Pass - Editor

Los Osos, CA, USA

I work on books that deal with difficult personal and societal issues. I also edit nonfiction books that focus on wellbeing and fiber arts.

Request a quote
Verified identity

Overview

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 YA, short stories, and poetry 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.

My other passion is working on educational and reference texts. I was proud to copyedit Dr. Kiera Lane's Complete Fertility: Solutions for Natural Fertility and Improving IVF Success Everyone Should Know. This book includes scientific explanations, graphics, and practical advice related to natural aids to conception through IVF. Completing both a developmental and copyedit for We Belong in History: Writing with William Stafford was also 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.

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!
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Fiction
Poetry
Short Story
Social & Family Issues

Certifications

  • Master of Arts in Writing with a Focus on Book Publishing
  • Master of Arts in Teaching with Specialization in English Language Arts
  • Oregon Writing Project Fellow

Work experience

Editor

Self-employed
January, 2012 – Present (about 11 years)

I provide developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading services for authors. I completed a developmental edit for A Series of Small Maneuvers by Eliot Treichel, which debuted with a starred review in Publisher's Weekly and earned high praise from the Huffington Post. This YA novel won a Readers Choice Award at the Oregon Book Awards and a Reading the West Award.

Editor

Ooligan Press
September, 2011 – June, 2013 (over 1 year)

Provided developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading services. I worked on the The Blue Thread, a YA novel by Ruth Tenzer Feldman, and Close is Fine, a short story collection by Eliot Treichel, both of which won Oregon Book Awards.

Faculty, Instructor

Cuesta Community College
January, 2020 – Present (about 3 years)

I teach writing, English grammar, and English as an additional language to students at Cuesta Community College. I cover the editing process extensively in my classes.

Science Writer and Editor

Morro Bay National Estuary Program
November, 2014 – Present (over 8 years)

I provide writing and editing services for science-related educational and reference materials. Please see the State of the Bay reports on the Morro Bay National Estuary Program website (MBNEP.org) for examples.

Copy Editor

MINDBODY, Inc.
July, 2013 – October, 2015 (over 2 years)

I copyedited technical articles, blogs, and how-to content. I also created MINDBODY's first company-wide style guide.

Managing Editor

The Portland Review
September, 2012 – June, 2013 (9 months)

I copyedited and proofread short stories, poetry, and short-form memoir.

Language Arts and Art Teacher

Arts and Technologies High School and Summit High School
August, 2007 – June, 2012 (almost 5 years)

Taught academic and creative writing, literature, and visual arts to high school students. This experience gave me insight into YA fiction from my students' perspectives.

Portfolio (10 selected works)

A Series of Small Maneuvers

Eliot Treichel

Oregon Book Awards Readers Choice AwardMountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Reading the West AwardFor 15-year-old Emma Wilson, everything is changing. Uncomfortable at home and in school, Emma's growing up, and feels isolated from her friends and family. Things go from bad to unfathomably worse when Emma inadvertently causes an accident that kills her increasingly distant fat... read more

Oregon Book Awards Readers Choice AwardMountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Reading the West AwardFor 15-year-old Emma Wilson, everything is changing. Uncomfortable at home and in school, Emma's growing up, and feels isolated from her friends and family. Things go from bad to unfathomably worse when Emma inadvertently causes an accident that kills her increasingly distant fat... read more

We Belong in History: Writing with William Stafford

We Belong in History celebrates William Stafford’s life as a writer, teacher, and Poet Laureate of Oregon. This collection presents excellent student writing inspired by his work, a selection of Stafford’s work, and three sets of lesson plans written by teachers. This allows teachers everywhere to inspire their own students to write in response to Stafford’s work. With an introduction by curre... read more

We Belong in History celebrates William Stafford’s life as a writer, teacher, and Poet Laureate of Oregon. This collection presents excellent student writing inspired by his work, a selection of Stafford’s work, and three sets of lesson plans written by teachers. This allows teachers everywhere to inspire their own students to write in response to Stafford’s work. With an introduction by curre... read more

Alive at the Center: Contemporary Poems from the Pacific Northwest (Pacific Poetry Project)

Cody Walker

The Pacific Northwest’s vast and varied contemporary poetry scene is on display in Alive at the Center, a community-based anthology drawing from Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC. A collection of more than 200 poems from a wide spectrum of poets, Alive at the Center is a cultural snapshot, showcasing the best new and established voices from these three cities. Three poets from each city cam... read more

The Pacific Northwest’s vast and varied contemporary poetry scene is on display in Alive at the Center, a community-based anthology drawing from Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC. A collection of more than 200 poems from a wide spectrum of poets, Alive at the Center is a cultural snapshot, showcasing the best new and established voices from these three cities. Three poets from each city cam... read more

Close is Fine

Treichel, Eliot

Portland Review: Winter 2013

Portland Review: Winter 2013 pairs realism with magical realism, suburban with urban life, and characters whose lives are full with those who are running on empty. This anthology follows Portland Review's 57 year tradition of publishing exceptional prose, poetry, and art while establishing a commitment to sharing local authors' voices with the world. In this spirit, Winter 2013 features Portla... read more

Portland Review: Winter 2013 pairs realism with magical realism, suburban with urban life, and characters whose lives are full with those who are running on empty. This anthology follows Portland Review's 57 year tradition of publishing exceptional prose, poetry, and art while establishing a commitment to sharing local authors' voices with the world. In this spirit, Winter 2013 features Portla... read more

Portland Review: Spring 2013

Portland Review: Spring 2013 follows our fifty-seven-year tradition of publishing exceptional prose, poetry, and art. Continuing our commitment to sharing local voices with the world, this volume features work by well-known Portland poets including David Biespiel, Emily Kendal Frey, and Oregon State Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen. Combining these and other local voices with those of up-and-com... read more

Portland Review: Spring 2013 follows our fifty-seven-year tradition of publishing exceptional prose, poetry, and art. Continuing our commitment to sharing local voices with the world, this volume features work by well-known Portland poets including David Biespiel, Emily Kendal Frey, and Oregon State Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen. Combining these and other local voices with those of up-and-com... read more

Portland Review: Summer 2013

Portland Review: Summer 2013 is our salute to the bold, the bright, and the uniquely beautiful. This full-color anthology showcases art, prose, and poetry that defies definition. The writers and artists here refuse to be bound by the edicts of any one school, and the possibilities for discovery on each page are more plentiful than culinary options at Portland's food carts. We hope you enjoy th... read more

Portland Review: Summer 2013 is our salute to the bold, the bright, and the uniquely beautiful. This full-color anthology showcases art, prose, and poetry that defies definition. The writers and artists here refuse to be bound by the edicts of any one school, and the possibilities for discovery on each page are more plentiful than culinary options at Portland's food carts. We hope you enjoy th... read more

8 Essentials For Artistic Success

Moore, Rose, Von Ahnen, Garth

Rachel has 12 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Ana MK
Rachel is a master of words, wisdom, and transformation of your book. Blessed to find her and have full trust she will do justice to my work and make it even more beautiful.

Ana MK, March 2023


Ana MK
Rachel is exquisite in her work. Detailed, focused, beyond knowledgable, and with a talent where your book will be lifted up to the next level.

Ana MK, January 2023


Wendy Strelitz
Rachel was not only my editor but also someone with whom I had an instant rapport. She was able to offer suggestions and go above and beyond for me as a first time author. Her commitment and dedication in assisting me with getting my story told was a motivating factor in my ability to believe that my story was worth telling!!!!

Wendy Strelitz, December 2022


Eduardo Reyna
Beyond my expectations!

Eduardo Reyna, October 2022


jeffrey neto
Rachel has gone above and beyond what I had asked for. She took her time to go through my draft and provided excellent notes and edits that improved my overall novel. We then scheduled a face to face meeting where she learned more about my book and provided further advise, including how to publish a book and how to find a literary agent. If you are looking for professional and honest advise I h...
Read more

jeffrey neto, September 2022

Read more reviews

Explore the Reedsy Community

Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.

Tim Thornborough

Experienced publishing professional, with over 500 titles produced. Full skillset covering concept, editing, design and production.

London, UK

Jennifer Cantave

Publishing professional with a creative writing background. 15 years of in-house experience, specializing in educational materials for kids.

Miami, FL, USA

To view 1,000+ more profiles, Join Reedsy