Shannon Roberts

Shannon Roberts – Editor

Developmental editor with sixteen years of experience helping writers revise their manuscripts for both traditional and indie publication.

Overview

Writing a novel is not an event: it's a process.

As an editor, I'm committed to providing authors the support they need throughout the writing process, from outlining to writing to revising (and re-revising). My goal is to help you realize your story's fullest potential by bringing out the very best in your writing, as well as offering advice on structure, story, theme, and character to produce the most engaging manuscript possible.

I've worked with nearly every genre at some point, but my focus is speculative fiction, specifically fantasy and science fiction (with an emphasis on paranormal, urban fantasy, dystopian, and mythic).

In addition to developmental editing, I also have extensive experience with line editing (line-by-line tweaking of a manuscript to polish an author's voice and maximize the impact of every paragraph). If you've got an out-of-control word count, this is just the thing to bring your manuscript back into manageable territory.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Contemporary Fiction Fantasy Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Science Fiction Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2008 — Present

I have over a decade of experience in editing fiction, including:

-Reading, evaluating, and providing feedback on manuscripts across multiple genres
-Working with authors to develop outlines that will guide their writing and self-editing process
-Coaching edits (editing with margin notes and instructive commentary)
-Line editing manuscripts to polish an author's voice and writing style

several companies

Jul, 2017 — Jan, 2022 (over 4 years)

- Reviewed and edited back cover copy / taglines for multiple genres
- Provided support and outreach for authors soliciting professional reviews
- Wrote and edited promotional material for indie title releases

Portfolio

"Stevens's taut writing and chilling depiction of love twisted beyond recognition make this a compelling read." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review"Disturbing, suspenseful, and just a little nerve-wracking." —Library JournalEleven years ago, Lindsey Nash escape... read more
It’s 1569. Elizabeth I sits on the English throne, the Reformation inflames the Continent, and whispers of war abound.But in Troixden, just north of France, the Lady Annelore isn’t interested in politics. Times are hard, taxes are high, and the people in her d... read more
What would you do if you accidentally brought a monster to life and set him loose on your town? Adventurous and charming, this middle grade twist on Frankenstein features a precocious main character who does just that. Perfect for fans of Serafina and the Blac... read more
TAPPED

Dicke

The Coney Island Book of the Dead, An Illustrated Novel throbs with the kinetic energy anddark undercurrents of the Coney Island of 1957. It’s imbued with mythical stories from Yiddish and Delta folklore and narrated by a spunky, talented eleven-year-old girl ... read more
High school freshman Joe McKinnon loves pizza, hates public speaking, and has fallen hard for a girl. Pretty typical. Not so typical is Joe’s prosthetic leg, which he’s had since the car crash two years ago that killed his father and left him with a burning de... read more
Whoever said life would be easy…was a liar.A car wreck took away his father and his leg. But a year later, thirteen-year-old Joseph McKinnon has a mission and it begins with an underground construction project in the woods.Joe’s relying on dad’s buddy Fred to ... read more
Alban Fire

Evan B.

Britain, 500 A.D. The Roman Empire has fallen, and invading Anglo-Saxons have pushed the natives to the brink. As tribes vie for petty kingdoms and civilizations battle to control Britain’s destiny, a stranger washes up on a riverbank, missing most of his memo... read more
Paid trip to the Caribbean sound good? Buck Reilly thinks so--flying rock stars and celebrities to a remote island for a charity concert seems a breeze--until all hell breaks loose when the promoter disappears and one of the A-list stars is kidnapped. The char... read more
Buck Reilly's in Jamaica and back in the treasure hunting business—until some old enemies ace him out. Fortunately for Buck, a beautiful University professor with ancient Maroon secrets about the missing riches of captain Henry Morgan lures him back to the cha... read more
Hired by billionaire Lou Atlas to search for answers about his dead nephew on St. Barths, the swankiest island in the Caribbean, Buck Reilly's dream trip goes sideways when his former business partner, fresh out of jail, returns with a vengeance. Buck is quick... read more
Travel back to 2006 and the penultimate moment of Buck Reilly's former success when he discovers the crypt of the Mayan Serpent King and royal treasury in Guatemala, then marries top super model Heather Drake, and bask in his fifteen minutes of fame--before it... read more
Buck Reilly went to hell and back in Red Right Return. In Green to Go, it’s a one-way trip. Good news turns bad fast, and the bad just keeps coming in this thrilling new Buck Reilly adventure. The unexpected contents of his parent’s Swiss bank account offer Bu... read more
Liv might be in love with a serial killer. You'd think the fact she can talk to the dead would make it easier to figure out who's slicing up the creeps at Rosewood Academy. But it turns out some people are even more dangerous dead than alive. All clues lead ba... read more
How much will Julian sacrifice to find the truth?As he approaches the corner of Wendt and Brewster, Julian Barnes makes a bet with fate: if he can drive through the intersection without stopping, it will be a sign that he won't lose Julia, the woman he loves.B... read more
Since the accident, Jack Logan always feels dirty. He knows it's the guilt; the former money manager worked late one time too often, and it cost him his wife and unborn daughter. Now his life is a maddening series of obsessions and rituals that alienate his fr... read more
Angel

Mary E.

Thirteen year old Angel Bishop is fed up with all the unanswered questions about her life, like why did her daddy run off when she was just a baby? And why has her Aunt Patsy, the only family member she feels she can talk to, been locked up in a place for craz... read more
The Dogleg Murders

Christopher B.

"What she is certain of is that her son's name was blackened and he was driven to his death and all their lives were ruined for someone else's crime. She's sure of it." "Which does not, of course, make it so." Nevertheless, Detective Superintendent Cecilia Cav... read more
Peacekeeper

Christopher B.

In a cave somewhere in the English countryside, the Chairman opens a mysterious jar, performs an ancient ritual, and creates new servants for a dark cause.In an underground bunker not far away, an American airman guards the Peacekeeper, an aging weapon that co... read more
Singularity

Christopher B.

Christopher Bryan's third fantasy-mystery novel continues the investigations of Detective Inspector Cecilia Cavaliere. Now married, Cecilia and Anglican priest Michael Aarons are living in a Victorian rectory on the outskirts of Exeter, together with their pre... read more
Siding Star

Christopher B.

When an intruder dies mysteriously in Exeter Cathedral, Detective Inspector Cecilia Cavaliere's investigation becomes anything but routine. Thwarted by her superiors, she finds an unlikely source of help in a family friend: but can a law enforcer believe a pri... read more
It's 1570, and the Reformation burns through Europe and into the kingdom of Troixden. The new Queen Annelore, full of love and hope for her unexpected role, finds that even the heir growing inside her will not quiet the looming discontent, and her own wild cou... read more
In Crown & Thorns, the final book in The Realm series, King William has more to worry about than the religious tension in his own lands. His country has unwittingly been made a pawn in the vast European fight for land, power, and religious freedom, and many th... read more
Blue skies. Bad vibes. Rip tides. Devon is dead, but no one is celebrating. Crushed by grief over Em’s passing, Kris and her household struggle to move forward. A series of strange events—unnatural disasters, drug use, vandalism—has everyone on edge. When one ... read more
Dark days. Long nights. Dead eyes.Ever since Kris’s battle with Devon, a victory that should have brought her and the Chosen peace, she’s been on the run. Kris has left the beach, and all the painful memories associated with it behind. She’s traded in cut-offs... read more
Junya and Shoko pick up where they left off in Book 1! It's been months since sixteen-year-old Junya survived his savage battle with the Evil Ones, but now that he's back in San Francisco he's still feeling the effects. His limp is slow to heal, his shoulder a... read more
Junya’s grandfather is a billionaire who keeps the secret to his success hidden in a heavily guarded safe. His mother is a martial artist who wields a razor-sharp katana—and seems to read his mind. And a mysterious girl in a Japanese school uniform can knock h... read more
As a teenager, Toni Murphy had a life full of typical adolescent complications: a boyfriend she adored, a younger sister she couldn't relate to, a strained relationship with her parents, and classmates who seemed hell-bent on making her life miserable. Things ... read more
“If you are looking for a riveting mix of survival, redemption and sheer terror, Those Girls is not to be missed.” –Bookreporter Life has never been easy for the three Campbell sisters. Jess, Courtney, and Dani live on a remote ranch in western Canada where th... read more
From the acclaimed author of Still Missing comes a psychological thriller about one woman's search into her past and the deadly truth she uncovers. All her life, Sara Gallagher has wondered about her birth parents. As an adopted child with two sisters who were... read more
"Pulsates with suspense . . . jaw dropping . . . enthralling." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)On the day she was abducted, Annie O'Sullivan, a thirty-two-year-old realtor, had three goals―sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother, and be... read more

Shannon has 34 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Matthew C.

Matthew C.

Jul, 2023

Working with Shannon has been excellent. After she assisted me with my developmental edit, she is working with me again to help progress the story and cut it down for publishing. Her flexible assistance has been very helpful.
Chris S.

Chris S.

Jun, 2023

Apparently violating Brandon Sanderson's "Laws of Magic" for fantasy story-telling is an absolute cardinal sin with this editor. I had communicated with them during the project timeline about any issues and feedback before completion date. But I received a stone-walled response, followed with complete radio silence up to the project deadline. What was delivered was a document that spent most of...
Read more
Shannon R.
Hey Chris, I'm sorry you didn't find the feedback helpful, nor the suggestions useful. As I did tell you at both the outset and conclusion of the project, an hour of follow-up time is included alo...
Read more
Hannah K.

Hannah K.

Jun, 2023

Working with Shannon has been a dream come true. The manuscript critique she did on my novel was truly a game changer. I was extremely nervous about sharing this manuscript with an editor because I wasn't sure if it was "good enough" but Shannon was amazing, professional and incredibly thorough. Her overview, edit suggestions, and advice gave me a clear path forward and I feel better prepared t...
Read more
Greg W.

Greg W.

Feb, 2023

Shannon is awesome!
Alexis F.

Alexis F.

Jun, 2022

She was great to work with, and i hope to work with her again in the future

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