Sasha Shapiro

Sasha Shapiro – Editor

Professional developmental and copy editor with a Ph.D. in literature and 10+ years of experience editing non-fiction and fiction books.

Overview

A little about me:


I am a freelance developmental editor with 5+ years of publishing experience. I've worked as a managing editor at an independent press, as a writer and proofreader at an award-winning magazine, and as a writing coach for first-time authors and graduate students. Holding a Ph.D. in literature, I offer profound expertise in crafting compelling narratives and rigorously structured academic arguments. I am originally from Los Angeles and am currently based in Berlin, Germany, where I work as an editor and teach literature, philosophy, and writing to university students. When I'm not immersed in a manuscript (with my cat on my lap), you'll find me painting, bouldering, and spending time outside.


Working with me:


I view the editorial process as a collaborative journey. I am here to support you, offering an objective perspective to enhance your work. Here are the services I offer:


- Editorial Assessment: I provide a comprehensive evaluation of your manuscript. For non-fiction works, I assess content, structure, and rigor, ensuring it's submission-ready for academic presses. For fiction manuscripts, my focus is on style, voice, pacing, and plot and character development. You can expect honest, objective feedback and personalized recommendations for improvement.


- Developmental Editing: Going beyond the scope of traditional editorial assessments, I collaborate closely with you to transform your manuscript into a polished work. For non-fiction books, I meticulously ensure accuracy and coherence while prioritizing clarity and structure. For fiction books, my mission is crafting compelling narratives, enhancing characters, plot, and thematic resonance while preserving your unique authorial voice. My academic background not only brings a profound understanding of genre conventions but also an arsenal of storytelling techniques to infuse life and vibrancy into your work.


- Copyediting: As your manuscript nears completion, I concentrate on the technical aspects. For non-fiction books, I perfect clarity, precision, and academic rigor. This includes comprehensive reviews of grammar, spelling, syntax, and citations. For fiction books, I focus on on language, style, and overall narrative cohesion of your manuscript.


- Proofreading: The final checkpoint of the publishing process. My proofreading services address elusive spelling, grammar, and formatting errors that could disrupt your reader's immersion. I assure that your work will be error-free and publication-ready.


Collaborate with me to turn your manuscript into a masterpiece. Whether you're an established author seeking to refine your craft or a debut novelist eager to make your mark, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Together, we'll navigate the intricacies of the editing process, ensuring that your work meets the highest standards and achieves its full potential.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits History Judaism Philosophy
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Literary Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Ph.D. in Literature, University of Virginia
  • M.A. in Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Virginia
  • B.A. in Philosophy, Dickinson College

Work experience

Johns Hopkins University Press

Mar, 2024 — Present

As Managing Editor of American Imago, a peer-reviewed psychoanalysis journal, I provide copyedits, proofreads, and general editorial duties.

Academic Studies Press

Jan, 2020 — Dec, 2022 (almost 3 years)

As an Acquisitions Editor at Academic Studies Press, I delved into the literary realms of nonfiction, memoirs, and fiction, meticulously refining manuscripts. With two years of professional academic editing under my belt, I possess an innate knack for identifying books that not only sell but also thrive under peer review scrutiny. My keen eye discerns which proposals possess the strength and brilliance to stand out in the competitive publishing landscape.

Self-employed

Jan, 2016 — Present

In my role as an editorial consultant, I specialize in elevating both fiction and nonfiction works, including memoirs. My expertise extends to guiding master's and doctoral students in refining their theses and dissertations to the highest standard of excellence. Furthermore, I collaborate with emerging authors to enhance their manuscripts, ensuring they are primed for publication by prestigious industry giants such as Oxford University Press and Penguin Random House.

Dickinson Magazine

Sep, 2012 — May, 2015 (over 2 years)

I had the privilege of crafting and editing compelling copy for both print and online editions of Dickinson College's award-winning alumni magazine. In addition to editing notable alumni's contributions to the magazine, I was a key collaborator within cross-functional teams, working closely with communications, marketing, editorial, and product departments to craft highly-targeted content distributed across various platforms. This collaborative effort resulted in substantial growth in readership and a significant increase in donations. Furthermore, I played a pivotal role in shaping the magazine's brand identity by standardizing its voice, themes, and content, thereby ensuring its appeal to a diverse and engaged audience.

Portfolio

The Dreamtime: A Novel

Chernov, Mstyslav

Sasha has 6 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Daniel M.

Daniel M.

Oct, 2024

After publishing two novels, I was looking for a new copyeditor to work on the manuscript for my third, and I selected Sasha after seeing her impressive credentials on Reedsy. I am very glad I did! Sasha was always very transparent about how long it would take for her to edit my work, and she kept to the deadlines she set (usually meeting those deadlines by a significant margin). Her contributi...
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Erica S.

Erica S.

Aug, 2024

Sasha was such a pleasure to work with. The original piece I sent her was quite messy and rough, and she gracefully took it on with gusto and interest. Her developmental edits helped me feel a renewed sense of excitement about my work. She definitely took my writing to the "next level" while ensuring to safeguard and respect my own voice and style. She was both honest and kind about my piece, w...
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Alejandro F.

Alejandro F.

Apr, 2024

This has been my absolute best experience on Reedsy. Sasha goes above and beyond! She is truly looking out for your story and characters. She's unafraid to tackle more complex stories and scripts, and the philosophies behind them. She will work with you to unlock solutions you will not be able to come up with on your own. I can't wait to work with her on my next project!
Bill B.

Bill B.

Feb, 2024

On a particularly challenging project, always attentive, responsive, flexible and very professional.
Heritage P.

Heritage P.

Feb, 2024

Sasha was an excellent editor. She provided thoughtful and valuable insights that improved our product. She was also patient in answering all our questions. She provided well thought out explanations and reasons behind her recommendations. She was a pleasure to work with.

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