Overview
"Great editors elevate books to a level that far exceeds what even the author thinks is possible. Truly exceptional editors do this without leaving a single trace they were there. Rachel is one of those rare editors."
—Gabriela Pereira, author of "DIY MFA: Write with Focus, Read with Purpose, Build Your Community"
I am a content editor with 14 years’ experience in every facet of the editorial process, from content strategy and book development to copyediting and proofreading. I spent five years working as a content editor, editorial director and content strategist for Writer's Digest Books, where I reviewed proposals, acquired manuscripts, performed developmental and content edits, and ushered projects through every step of the publishing process. My experience working for the Writer's Digest brand has given me an informed perspective on both traditional and self-publishing. I specialize in editing nonfiction in a variety of categories, from reference to crafts to humor.
Editing is my passion, and I strive to provide thoughtful, clear and rational edits to help amplify a project's potential. Handing a book to an editor is an exercise in trust, and I don't take the task lightly. If given the opportunity to edit your project, I will work to provide careful, patient and thorough editorial guidance from start to finish.
"There are editors, and then there is Rachel—a magician with a red pen rather than a wand."
—Jordan Rosenfeld, author of "Make a Scene," "Writing the Intimate Character," and other titles
Services
Non-Fiction
Business & Management
Career Guides
DIY & Crafts
Education & Reference
Health & Wellbeing
Home & Garden
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Writing & Publishing
Languages
English (US)
Work experience
Barefoot Proximity
May, 2017 —
Oct, 2023
(over 6 years)
I develop and edit marketing content for a wide variety of clients, including those in consumer goods, health care, pet care and more.
Writer's Digest/F+W Media
May, 2012 —
May, 2017
(about 5 years)
I served as lead acquisitions editor, editorial director and content strategist for Writer's Digest Books.
North Light Crafts and Krause Publications/F+W Media
Apr, 2009 —
May, 2012
(about 3 years)
I acquired and edited books for North Light Crafts and Krause Publications imprints, with a focus on knitting, crochet, sewing, mixed media and jewelry making.
Portfolio
Excel at editing!The editor's job encompasses much more than correcting commas and catching typos. Your chief mission is to help writers communicate effectively--which is no small feat. Whether you edit books, magazines, newspapers, or online publications, you... read more
Find the courage to create your best writing life. Whether you're a fledgling writer or a veteran with years of experience, fearlessness--that elusive blend of self-acceptance, confidence, and curiosity--is the defining quality of those who find fulfillment an... read more
Make Every Word Memorable!To be remembered for your words, you need to write with skill and style. Whether you're crafting a novel, composing an e-mail, or creating a technical report, Mastering the Craft of Writing presents 52 practical techniques to improve ... read more
Today's highly competitive fiction market requires writers to imbue their novels with that special something - an element that captures readers' hearts and minds. In Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict, writers will learn vital techniques for writing emot... read more
Everything you need to know to knit like a pro!Knitting Know-How isn't just another collection of knitting techniques—it's an indispensable resource for making every stitch better! From basic knit and purl stitches to cables, lace, color knitting and garment d... read more
Get the Knowledge Without the College! You are a writer. You dream of sharing your words with the world, and you're willing to put in the hard work to achieve success. You may have even considered earning your MFA, but for whatever reason--tuition costs, the t... read more
THE ESSENTIAL RESOURCE FOR SELLING YOUR BOOK If you want to publish a book, you must present it to agents and publishers with a knock-your-socks-off proposal. Whether you're seeking a traditional press to publish your self-published book or trying to win over ... read more
Calling All Crafters!Let's face it, peeps; the craft business world can be a tough one to navigate. Luckily, you have the Crafty Superstar by your side! This updated and expanded guide will navigate you through the ins and outs of setting up shop, advertising ... read more
Adorn Yourself.... The beautiful and delicate projects in Adornments are the perfect finishing touches for creating a purely romantic look. Make floral-inspired necklaces, in-full-bloom fascinators, and earrings with wispy feathers and sparkling beads. At part... read more
Get hooked on color, texture and design!Theresa Pulido introduced her fresh, colorful take on locker hooking in her first book,Hook, Loop & Lock, and in Locking Loops she's back with even more fabulous, original locker hooking projects. Whether you are already... read more
Swap, Stitch and ShareExchange fabrics, collaborate on an art quilt and gain inspiration with Sharing Stitches. Chrissie Grace is joined by 15 contributing artists with a wide variety of talents and styles. The result is a collection of colorful and eclectic p... read more
Learn to enhance your machine embroidery skills with specialty techniques that make your work beautiful to the eye and amazing to the touch.
Knit Gorgeous Colorwork Accessories in the Nordic Tradition! Traditional Scandinavian and Icelandic designs are given new life in the projects found in Nordic Knitting Traditions. 25 projects feature original floral, star, feather and geometric motifs, all kni... read more
Cultivate Your Inner Artist!Prepare your own garden of self-expression with the creative fabric and wire projects inside Creative Bloom. The seeds of inspiration will be planted as you learn how to make a butterfly-adorned lamp, a sweet bird sculpture, an insp... read more
Shaping wire + beading wire = a whole new dimension!New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry brings shaping and beading wire together to create stunning sculptural designs. From necklaces and bracelets, to rings, earrings and tiaras, jewelry maven Margot Potter... read more
Colorful wire jewelry with a twist!Warm, vibrant copper or cool, soothing blue—there's no doubt that color inspires us to create. Katie Hacker'sLive Wire Jewelry colors your world with 30 dynamic designs, all featuring vibrant hues of colored wire. Coil, wrap,... read more
Explore your Creative Self with Mixed-media MapsYou don't have to be a world traveler or a professional cartographer to embark on a grand journey of self-discovery through mapmaking. Personal Geographies gives you the tools and techniques you'll need to create... read more
Create Expressive Books from Salvaged TreasuresRusty doorknobs, cardboard containers and plastic packaging may seem like trash to some, but through the creative mind, they are transformed into beautiful expressions - equally parts artful book and assemblage. T... read more
Rediscover the art of string quiltingString quilts have been around for centuries, but in String Quilt Revival, this time-tested artform is given a new life!Learn how to sew a variety of string quilt blocks by following clear step-by-step instructions, and dis... read more
Modern Designs. Fabulous Results.It's all about the jewelry, dah-ling! Designer Fernando Dasilva puts the spotlight on high fashion with necklaces, bracelets and earrings that exude elegance and radiate haute couture. Drawing inspiration from vibrant color pal... read more
A book that aims to provide various themes for baby's special room combines cozy textures, playful prints, whimsical motifs, embroidered details and charming embellishments for a distinctive look to quilts, wall hangings, pillows and more. Original.
Fused and Re-usedWhether you're a sewing enthusiast or an eco-superhero, Upcycled Accessories shows you how to upcycle disposable products into fashionable must-haves! Learn the basics of fusing plastic, then sew together colorful wallets, personalized journal... read more
Take your knitting on the run!Are you a take-along knitter? Are you tempted to break out the needles in the library, on the bus, or even at the supermarket? Then Take-Along Knitting is for you! North Light editors have selected the best portable projects from ... read more
Cheer up your socks with colors galore!Socks a la CarteColorwork adds color into the design-your-own mix by introducing stranded, slipped-stitch and striped designs for your knitted socks. Join Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade as they guide you through a var... read more
These socks will keep you on your toes!Jonelle Raffino and Katherine Cade are back with more toe-tapping designs in this follow-up to the best selling Socks à la Carte. Create perfectly fitting pairs every time with toe-up construction and sizing tips from the... read more
Craft a meaningful life story!A written legacy of your life--one that encompasses experiences, lessons learned, failures and triumphs--is a gift your family and friends will cherish for years to come. Writing this story may seem daunting, but it doesn't have t... read more
What are the common pitfalls in a crafting a series, the best ways to get organized and plan it? The purpose of Writing the Fiction Series is to cover all things that need to be taken into consideration when writing a series and provide a one-stop resource for... read more
Join the New Adult Fiction revolution!From Sylvia Day's Bared to You to Jamie McGuire's Beautiful Disaster, new adult fiction has arrived--and it's hotter than ever. But there's more to this category than its 18-to-26-year-old characters: The success of your s... read more
Plotting a story filled with memorable, engaging scenes from beginning to end can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Having the right plan - and the tools to execute it - can make all the difference. Writing Blockbuster Plots pulls back the curtain on stor... read more
A Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award Finalist for Best Critical/Biographical Work Discover the secrets to crafting an unforgettable mystery! To piece together the puzzle of your mystery novel, you need patience, resilience, a solid understanding of the cra... read more
Practice. Polish. Persist.Your writing journey can take you many places: hiking through steep mountains, traversing unknown territory, hurdling both roadblocks and rejections. Even the siren song of fame and fortune can distract you from your true purpose: to ... read more
Welcome, explorer, to The Writer's Adventure!Strap on your canteen and unsheathe that machete--you're about to venture into mysterious places and uncharted realms. And there's likely to be a bit of wildlife to deal with along the way.But The Writer's Adventure... read more
It's good to be bad! You're not evil. You're just...misunderstood. And you're in good company. In The Unofficial Middle-earth Monster's Guide, orcs, goblins, trolls, dark wizards--and on especially articulate dragon--serve as the perfect role models for aspiri... read more
"It's a dangerous business, going out your front door."In the age of men, one must face myriad challenges: epic quests, imminent danger, the evil gaze of Sauron... okay, so maybe not. But wouldn't life's day-to-day challenges be easier if one were to take a cu... read more
Take Charge of Your Writing--and Dazzle Your Instructors!It can be a challenge to achieve writing excellence, but it doesn't have to be mysterious, and it's definitely not impossible. To present powerful ideas effectively in your college essays, you need to br... read more
Don't limit your fiction - LIBERATE ITAll too often, following the "rules" of writing can constrict rather than inspire you. With Story Trumps Structure, you can shed those rules - about three-act structure, rising action, outlining, and more - to craft your m... read more
Learn how to make your story soar!In the physical world, gravity, force, and other elements of physics govern your abilities and can be utilized to enhance your every movement. In the world of writing, story physics can be harnessed in much the same way to mak... read more
Take your first draft from so-so to sold!You've finished the first draft of your novel--congratulations! Time to have a drink, sit back...and start revising. But the revision process doesn't have to be intimidating. Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, S... read more
"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will..." One of the most sweeping and enduring novels in English literature, Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre has become a beloved classic and a must-read for fans of period romance... read more
Discover Your Voice and Enthrall Readers!The craft of writing is filled with various debates: Should I include a prologue? Should I delete all adverbs from my manuscript? Just how much backstory--if any--can I include in my story? These questions--and their of... read more
Transform Your Blog into a Book!The world of blogging changes rapidly, but it remains one of the most efficient ways to share your work with an eager audience. In fact, you can purposefully hone your blog content into a uniquely positioned book--one that agent... read more
Produce your best work. Live your best life. Make your greatest impact. You have everything you need--and you are everything you need--to do the writing you are meant to do. And yet the path to success can be difficult to find and follow. Veteran author and wr... read more
Prime Your Freelance Writing Career for Success!So you want to be a freelance writer. Great! But now you're faced with a laundry list of questions: Should I freelance full time or part time? Should I write for magazines, newspapers, or online markets? How do I... read more
Hone Your Writing Skills for Success in College and in Life!Every student knows that writing a successful college paper is no small undertaking. To make the grade, you need to express your ideas clearly and concisely. So how do you do it? In Essential Writing ... read more
Creating a platform isn't just beneficial--it's essential!In today's world of blogging, websites, Twitter feeds, and Facebook updates, building a writer platform from the ground up can seem a daunting task. Never fear--author and editor Chuck Sambuchino provid... read more
Master the art of article writing!The world of journalism is changing rapidly, and the modern journalist needs more than a basic knowledge of article writing to navigate it. The Complete Guide to Article Writing provides a compass for freelancers and students ... read more
Get advice from the best in the business on every stage of the novel-writing and publishing process! In The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing, 3rd Edition, you'll learn from established writers about how to make your novel a reality. Discover techniques and s... read more
Empower your writing through craft and community! Writing can be a lonely profession plagued by blind stumbles, writer's block, and despair--but it doesn't have to be. Written by members of the popular Writer Unboxed website, Author in Progress is filled with ... read more
Rachel has 4 reviews
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Kirsten L.
Dec, 2023
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Sep, 2023
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Aug, 2023
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Oct, 2020
