Scott Pearson

Scott Pearson – Editor

Editor and writer with decades of experience, now specializing in copyediting science fiction and fantasy as well as mystery and horror.

Overview

I look forward to using my decades of experience as both an editor and a writer to guide you to your best manuscript while maintaining your voice throughout your work.


First published in 1987 with the literary-fiction short story “The Mailbox,” in the decades since I've published humor, mystery, horror, poetry, urban fantasy, and science fiction (including Star Trek), appearing in more than two dozen anthologies. I was an in-house editor at a publishing company where I specialized in military and aerospace history, but as a full-time freelancer I focus on fiction in my favorite genres to read: science fiction, fantasy, and similar subgenres, including some mystery and horror. I have edited, copyedited, or proofread over three hundred books in my career so far.


As the primary copyeditor of Star Trek novels for Simon & Schuster since 2014, I’ve worked with such New York Times bestselling authors as David Mack and Kirsten Beyer. Kirsten has said that “[Scott] brings a deep knowledge of the universe, a keen eye for best possible word choices, and mastery of grammar and usage to my stories. I am always relieved when I see his name on one of my works because I know that I’m about to enter into a dialogue with a trusted partner as I review his notes. I cannot recommend him highly enough to anyone in need of an editor.”

Services
Fiction
Anthologies Fantasy Military Science Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Space Opera Steampunk Time Travel
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Quarto USA

Sep, 2003 — Apr, 2013 (over 9 years)

Hired as in-house copyeditor, promoted to associate editor on new military history imprint, then eventually to acquisitions editor. Worked on such books such as Michael Keith Olson’s Tales from a Tin Can: The USS Dale from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay, which received a starred review in Publishers Weekly, and The Space Shuttle: Celebrating Thirty Years of NASA’s First Space Plane by noted science journalist Piers Bizony. Edited or copyedited around one hundred titles, primarily of military and aeronautics history.

Self-employed

Jan, 2001 — Present

Various levels of editing, proofreading, research, and writing for hire in a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and nonfiction: aeronautics, true crime, regional history, science, documentary screenplays, science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, and horror. I work with indie authors and traditional publishers such as Simon and Schuster, where I’ve been copyediting their Star Trek fiction since 2014, and Baen Books. Including my work for Quarto, I have edited, copyedited, or proofread over three hundred books (and counting), around two hundred of them fiction, both novels and short story collections or anthologies.

Portfolio

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
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Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Standish 3: The Daughter (The Earth Saga Universe)

McFarlane, Donald B

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Ancient Chronicles of Empyrea

Preston, B.H.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Weird World War: China (3)

Hazlett, Sean Patrick

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
A publishing event: Bestselling author Ken Liu selects his award-winning science fiction and fantasy tales for a groundbreaking collection—including a brand-new piece exclusive to this volume.... read more
Copy Editing

Scott has 31 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Antti L.

Antti L.

Nov, 2024

Scott Pearson was communicative, thorough, honest and on point. Great work all around!
Bob M.

Bob M.

Oct, 2024

Scott was a diligent editor, catching things that I'd read over many times without seeing a problem. Though much of my manuscript was dotted with small problems, like commas, these problems would have tainted the work and made me look amateurish. The improvements will allow me to move on with my project to publishing.
Nancy N.

Nancy N.

Oct, 2024

This was my first Reedsy collaboration and it went more smoothly than I could have hoped. Scott was not only professional, but also very patient - this was my first time working with a copy editor and my manuscript was formatted in a way that made this job more time consuming than it should have. I am grateful he not only completed the job within the time frame, but also pointed out things I ...
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Dustin S.

Dustin S.

Jul, 2024

It was a pleasure working with Scott again.
Scott P.
Thanks! Glad to be of help on another of your manuscripts.
Louis R.

Louis R.

Jun, 2024

Scott was thorough and thoughtful with his feedback, right from the start of my manuscript he showed in-depth knowledge and a larger picture look that I couldn't find on my own. He was honest and fair, and I appreciate that. Thanks Scott for your services in the indie industry, you're helping pave a straightforward path to better work for emerging authors like myself!
Scott P.
Thanks for all your kind words, so glad you were pleased with my work on your manuscript!

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