Rachel Santino

Rachel Santino – Editor

My favorite stories are mysteries, thrillers, romance, and historical fiction. Give me stories with grit, atmosphere, and a sense of place.

Overview

I am a seasoned editor of Western and historical fiction stories. I’ve worked with indie authors and traditional publishers (Kensington/Pinnacle, Wolfpack, and Roan & Weatherford/Hat Creek). I'm here to help authors bring their stories to life, highlighting a strong sense of place, vivid natural settings, and elements of adventure, clean romance, drama, faith, family, humor, mystery, and survival.

You'll find I am professional, diligent, and thorough. Always on time. Authors have said I am a gem to work with and that my edits, suggestions, and changes are well thought out and will bring your story to the next level.

Services
Fiction
Christian Fiction Cozy Mysteries Historical Fiction Historical Mysteries Historical Romance Romantic Suspense Short Story Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • General Proofreading: Theory and Practice (passing score of 93%)
  • Freelancers Union Badge
  • Associate Member of Western Writers of America
  • Member of Women Writing the West

Work experience

Roan & Weatherford Publishing, Hat Creek Imprint

Apr, 2024 — Present
I copyedit books for this traditional publisher in the Western and historical fiction genres.

Kensington Publishing

Oct, 2022 — Present
As a freelancer, I copyedit books for this traditional publisher in the Western fiction genre. Occasionally Amish romances.

Wolfpack Publishing

Feb, 2022 — Present
As a freelancer, I copyedit books for this traditional publisher in the Western fiction and Western romance genres. Occasionally Western mysteries.

Imadjinn Awards

Mar, 2026 — Present
I am judging the Best Western Novel category for 2025.

Will Rogers Medallion Awards

Jan, 2022 — Dec, 2023 (almost 2 years)
I judged the Western Mystery category in 2022 and Western Romance category in 2023.

Portfolio

She Rode West: Tales of Courage, Dust, and Destiny

Santino, Rachel

Saddlebag Dispatches

Copy Editing
Rough Country (The Rough Country Collection)

Wortham, Reavis Z.

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Hard Country (The Rough Country Collection)

Wortham, Reavis Z.

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Troubadour Outlaw

Lemoine, Jason

Oeste West Press

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Promised Land series

Connally, Catherine

Copy Editing
The Rancher: A Classic Western Series (Nordic & Finn Book 3)

Brandvold, Peter

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
Comancheria (The Hollow Frontier Book 1)

Wortham, Reavis Z.

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Vaquero Padre

Colt, Paul

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Devil in the Daylight (Gunpowder & Honeysuckle Book 1)

Atkin, Annie

Radiance

Copy Editing
Mariana's Knight: The Revenge of Henry Fountain

Farmer, W Michael

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Powder River Range (Great Western Detective League)

Colt, Paul

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Where the Crows Fly

Frame Gay, Sharon

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Lucky Six: Illustrated

Cooper, Gordon

Preston Woods Publishing Company

Proofreading
The Man from Dakota: A Classic Western Series (Nordic & Finn Book 2)

Brandvold, Peter

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
The Apache Kid: Army Apache Scout (The Apache Kid Chronicles)

Farmer, W Michael

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Assassin's Witness (The Great Western Detective League Book 4)

Colt, Paul

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Calamity James

Johnstone, William W.

Pinnacle

Proofreading
The Best of Enemies

Johnstone, William W.

Pinnacle

Proofreading
Trini! Come!: Geronimo's Captivity of Trinidad Verdin

Farmer, W Michael

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Fort Buzzard (A Preacher & MacCallister Western Book 6)

Johnstone, William W.

Pinnacle Books

Copy Editing
Nordic & Finn: A Classic Western Series

Brandvold, Peter

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
Branded Past: A Contemporary Western Thriller (Dark Range Book 4)

Samuelson-Brown, Randi A.

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
Hero Brothers: A Katy McKim Mystery

McAllister, Denise F.

CKN Christian Publishing

Copy Editing
Pegasus Flying: A Katy McKim Mystery

McAllister, Denise F.

CKN Christian Publishing

Copy Editing
All That Glitters (The Great Western Detective League Book 3)

Colt, Paul

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
The Bogus Bondsman (Great Western Detective League)

Colt, Paul

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Beyond Haviland (The Girls of Haviland)

Oswald, Deborah

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
The Pride of Texas

Richards, Dusty

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Enduring Promise (Promises)

Lane, Susanna

Hat Creek

Copy Editing
Hearts and Mountains: A Historical Western Romance

Eldridge, Lynn

Wolfpack Publishing

Proofreading
Hell West of the Pecos: A Classic Western (Dud and Ponder Westerns Book 1)

Rose, V.J.

Wolfpack Publishing

Proofreading
Cowboy in a Corporate World: 37 Years of Life & Lessons on Koch Industries Beaverhead Ranch

Marxer, Ray

RAM Publishing

Proofreading
Back Home for Love: A Christian Romance Novel (Indiana Romance Book 5)

Malloy, Leanne

CKN Christian Publishing

Proofreading
Ridin’ with the Pack: A Western Short Story Collection (Wolfpack Publishing Anthologies)

Gear, W. Michael

Wolfpack Publishing

Proofreading
The Amish Quiltmaker's Uninvited Guest

Beckstrand , Jennifer

Zebra Books

Proofreading
Blood Bounty of the Mountain Man

Johnstone, William W.

Pinnacle

Copy Editing
We Lived It (70 Days Series)

Bachman, Kimberly Kaye

Independently published

Copy Editing
Draw A Hard Line: An E.J. Kane Mystery

Jimerson, Micheal E

Elwood Jimerson Farms L.L.C.

Copy Editing
Stalker or Saint: A Katy McKim Mystery

McAllister, Denise F.

CKN Christian Publishing

Copy Editing
Bloody Joe’s Last Dance: Classic Western Series (Bloody Joe Mannion)

Brandvold, Peter

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
Not My Home

Johnstone, William W.

Pinnacle

Copy Editing
Ghost Coach: A Classic Western Adventure (Lucas Cain)

Vaughan, Robert

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
Chase Cooper: A Contemporary Western Romance (Triple C Ranch)

Eldridge, Lynn

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
THE DIVORCE SEEKERS: The Intimate True Story of a Nevada Divorce Ranch Wrangler

McGee, William L.

BMC Publications

Proofreading
The Redemption of Mattie Silks

Burns, Kimberly

Thomas Bard Publishing LLC.

Copy Editing
Dude or Die

Downey, Lynn

Pronghorn Press

Proofreading
Hostile Territory (A Preacher & MacCallister Western)

Johnstone, William W.

Pinnacle

Copy Editing
The Covenant: A Classic Western Series (McCain Chronicles)

Rundell, B.N.

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
Tastefully Texas: A Contemporary Western Romance (True Hearts of Texas)

Jones, K.S.

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
To Face A Savage Winter (Savage Land)

Legg, John

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
The Trail To Reconciliation: A Classic Western Series (Plainsman Western Series Book 10)

Rundell, B.N.

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
Sniffing Out Murder: A Cozy Mystery Series (Layers of Mystery)

Baker, Leanne

CKN Christian Publishing

Copy Editing
Rebel Hearts Anthology (Wolfpack Publishing Anthologies)

Martin, Kat

Wolfpack Publishing

Proofreading
Branded Graves: Dark Range Two

Samuelson-Brown, Randi A.

Wolfpack Publishing

Copy Editing
Rustlers and Widows: A Christian Western (The Settlers)

Quist, Reg

CKN Christian Publishing

Copy Editing
Two Sides of Truth: A Historical Romance Novel

Jones, K.S.

Wolfpack Publishing

Proofreading

Rachel has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jason L.

Jason L.

Feb, 2026

Rachel was great - absolutely amazing to work with! Her expertise was perfect for my project. She finished early, gave me great feedback, and provided additional insight on next steps. I will work with her again on future projects!
Rachel S.
Thank you so much, Jason! It was a joy to work with you. I loved this first story and look forward to seeing what comes next.
Marcy W.

Marcy W.

Dec, 2025

Rachel was extremely helpful throughout the process. While on my end, I haven't been able to fully go through all her suggestions, she caught things other editors and readers had not. Will use her again.
Rachel S.
Thank you, Marcy! It was a thrill to work on your manuscript. I guarantee readers will love the story.
Cathy T.

Cathy T.

May, 2025

Rachel did a terrific job copyediting my very long first novel. Her work was very thorough and her attention to detail was amazing. She responded promptly to all messages. She even finished ahead of schedule. I highly recommend her!
Rachel S.
Thank you, Cathy. It was a pleasure working with you!

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