Ray Sylvester

Ray Sylvester – Editor

Developmental editing, copyediting, and writing for the nonfiction world: health, diet, nutrition, fitness, tech, and entrepreneurship.

Overview

I’m a writer and editor specializing in health, fitness, diet, nutrition, technology, and business/entrepreneurship. I'm driven to work with authors and clients who want to help people change their lives and see the bigger picture.

I have significant experience in the worlds of ecommerce, digital innovation, market research, and online marketing, including:

- writing and editing for Pat Flynn's Smart Passive Income brand
- marketing and business development for third-party sellers at Amazon
- social media market research at Nielsen
- content marketing and strategy at an ecommerce design startup
- healthcare-technology market research and journalism at the Advisory Board Company

I’m also a Guild-Certified Practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method, a somatic approach to better movement through cultivating awareness.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Computers & Internet Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sports & Outdoors Technology
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Smart Passive Income

Jan, 2019 — Jun, 2022 (over 3 years)

I managed the blog at Smart Passive Income, writing and editing SEO-rich content for a worldwide audience of digital entrepreneurs. I also produced the SPI Podcast with Pat Flynn and AskPat 2.0, and created and cohosted Flops, an original podcast about outrageous failure and how people overcome it.

Buy Box Experts

Jun, 2017 — Jan, 2020 (over 2 years)

I helped an agency with no content strategy, a sparse blog, and a basic understanding of its unique selling proposition (USP) find its voice and establish a regular publishing cadence of high-SEO value articles and in-depth industry analyses. I also wrote original copy for listings of several of Buy Box Experts' Amazon seller clients.

Winning Edits

Mar, 2017 — Jan, 2019 (almost 2 years)

I was a lead writer and editor (including ghostwriting) for a digital agency that created content for brands that crave a close-knit and prosperous relationship with their customers. We edited books, produced top-notch web content, and even published an in-house magazine called Hyperlink, to which I was a key contributor.

The Storied Future

Feb, 2017 — Present

I currently produce The Storied Future Podcast for this B2B marketing agency. The show features interviews with experts, innovators, and purpose driven leaders who have harnessed the power of narrative to create lasting change.

I've also worked as a writer and editor, creating copy and web content for clients such as Microsoft, GoDaddy, and SAP Concur.

Rocket Code

Aug, 2015 — Mar, 2017 (over 1 year)

I helped develop the content strategy and build the blog and email marketing channels for a digital agency focused on website optimization and software solutions for ambitious ecommerce brands.

Self-employed

Sep, 2012 — Present

As an independent writer and editor, I help ambitious authors and agencies turn their ideas into top-notch content.

Amazon Services (Amazon.com)

Sep, 2012 — Jun, 2014 (over 1 year)

As a member of the third-party seller account management and marketing team at Amazon, I uncovered business development opportunities and created marketing materials aimed at helping third-party sellers grow their business on the platform. I created and edited content for email marketing materials, seller-facing videos, seller surveys, printed collateral, and other communications and initiatives.

Portfolio

Climate change, habitat destruction and species extinctions threaten our biosphere. Political chaos, inequality and extremism wreak havoc with our societies and culture. Obesity, diabetes, dep... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Indexing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Paleo Fitness is 280+ pages of workouts, tips, and delicious, performance-based recipes from thought leaders in both the Paleo and fitness communities! This e-book is a must-have for anyone in... read more
Copy Editing
The Paleo Magazine's 3rd Holiday Cookbook brings you 75 favorite holiday-inspired recipes from members of the Paleo community. Every delicious recipe is Paleo-friendly - no grains, gluten, leg... read more
Copy Editing
The dream of content marketing is that it’s going to be a magical funnel that drips money into your bank account. Its lure is that it will create an inbound sales machine.But what should you d... read more
Copy Editing
Empowering advice for overcoming setbacks, from the authors of a wildly popular blog that's read by millions of engaged readers each monthThrough their popular blog Marc & Angel Hack Life, Mar... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
In this expanded edition of Let Go, best-selling author and successful online entrepreneur Pat Flynn explores what it means to let go of the things that keep us from the journeys we yearn to f... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The recipes in Digestive Health with REAL Food: The Cookbook expand on the information first introduced in Digestive Health with REAL Food by providing 75 more delicious recipes to help you bu... read more
Copy Editing
Paleo Magazine Readers’ Favorites Holiday Recipes Cookbook brings together favorite recipes from our past issues as well as recipes from members of the amazing Paleo community, to give you ove... read more
Copy Editing
Paleo Magazine Readers' Favorites Cookbook is a collection of over 50 of the most popular recipes from past issues of Paleo Magazine, along with great recipes submitted by actual readers. Each... read more
Copy Editing
Paleo Magazine is dedicated to giving people the tools and information they need to make the best personal choices for living the Paleo lifestyle. Each issue is packed with information on diet... read more
Copy Editing
Dough Nation

Nadine Grzeskowiak

A compelling story from an emergency/trauma/critical care nurse's perspective of her own struggle to regain health after 40 years of being misdiagnosed as many different maladies instead of be... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Health begins in the gut. In addition to digestive disorders, many other health problems can stem from damage to your intestines, including migraines, skin problems, autoimmune conditions, and... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing

Ray has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Kenneth R.

Kenneth R.

Feb, 2024

Initially Ray was the developmental editor for my book and did an absolutely fantastic job. He took away my fear of the book writing process by being professional and informative. I enjoyed working with Ray so much that I asked if he would do the copy edit for my book. Fortunately for me he agreed and edited the book into something beyond what I could have imagined. Once again, Ray absolute...
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Kenneth R.

Kenneth R.

Feb, 2024

This was the first time that I a wrote a book and had no idea of what I was doing. In fact before I learned about Reedsy, I didn’t even know what the basic steps were for publishing a book. Through Reedsy, I discovered that the first step that I needed to pursue was to have the book evaluated by a developmental editor. The thought of using a developmental editor was intimidating. I went throu...
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Ray S.
Ken, it's been a pleasure working with you—especially seeing how you've become more comfortable and courageous as a writer who's excited to share your knowledge and expertise with others!
Stewart L.

Stewart L.

Jan, 2024

A true professional. I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Ray, a developmental editor "par excellence", on my latest book project. From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of exceptional, and I cannot speak highly enough of Ray's professionalism, expertise, and dedication to the craft. Right from our initial discussions, Ray demonstrated a keen understanding of the ...
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Ray S.
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Stewart! It was truly a pleasure working with you to take Weightless to the next level.
David F.

David F.

Jan, 2024

I really enjoyed working with Ray. He was on time (through the holidays), communicated, and had some solid ideas on how to improve the rhythm and flow of my writing. He got into all the nitty gritty details, or what he calls "super nerdy edits," and the book came out much better than it went in. I'd absolutely work with him again. Actually, I plan to work with him again this time next year f...
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Ray S.
David, it was a pleasure working with you! Let me know when book #2 is ready for an extra set of eyes.
Joshua H.

Joshua H.

Jan, 2024

Working with Ray was extremely smooth. He's well organized and communicates very well. This was my first time going through the editing process for a book and he made it easy for me to understand each step of the process. His editing work transformed my book into a much more clear and concise manuscript. The developmental edit helped get all my big ideas and sections in the right places! Would ...
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Ray S.
Working with Josh was a highlight of my editorial year. He is a thoughtful writer who was receptive to my feedback and brings a smart, balanced approach to the often confusing landscape of stretchi...
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