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 over 10 years of experience in publishing. I've worked as a managing editor at an independent press and peer-reviewed journal, as a writer and proofreader at an award-winning magazine, and as a writing coach for authors and graduate students. I have a Ph.D. in literature and a background in philosophy, which allows me to help both academic and creative authors craft clear, compelling, and well-structured work. I am originally from Los Angeles and am currently based in Berlin, Germany, where I also study literature, philosophy, and writing at the university level.

What it's like to work with me:

I approach editing as a collaborative process. My goal is to support you and help you strengthen your manuscript while preserving your unique voice. Here are the services I offer:

- Editorial Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation of your manuscript. For non-fiction works, I focus on structure, clarity, and rigor to ensure your work is submission-ready for academic presses. For fiction, I assess style, voice, pacing, plot, and character development. You can expect honest and objective feedback, along with personalized recommendations for improvement.

- Developmental Editing: A deeper collaboration to refine your manuscript. In nonfiction, I help ensure accuracy, clarity, and logical structure. In fiction, I provide feedback on narrative cohesion, character development, thematic resonance, and pacing, while honoring your authorial voice.

- Copyediting: The final polish of your manuscript. In nonfiction, I check grammar, syntax, citations, and overall clarity. In fiction, I ensure language, style, and narrative flow are consistent and polished.

Together, we’ll shape your manuscript into a clear, compelling, and polished work. Whether you’re an experienced writer looking to refine your work or a first-time author shaping your first draft, I’m here to offer guidance and feedback throughout the editing process, helping your manuscript become as clear and compelling as possible.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits History 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 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ivan K.

Ivan K.

Dec, 2025

Sasha is not in the business of phoning it in. She pairs her specialized knowledge, cultivated over years of experience, to a standard of excellence that results in a product of exceptional value. This is a serious literary professional who understands her craft, the realities of the market, and ...
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Krishna P.

Krishna P.

Jan, 2025

Sasha was super professional and her assessment was clear, detailed and precise. She clarified any and all doubts that I had during our call, advising me and giving me multiple options to the problems I was facing. A lovely and a pleasant person to talk to. Highly recommend !
Marianne F.

Marianne F.

Dec, 2024

Sasha was a godsend. I was very lucky to find someone whose sensitivity and deep knowledge of the history and experiences relating to the manuscript allowed a high level of comfort in our work together.
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 kep...
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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 ensu...
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