Shannon Cave

Shannon Cave – Editor

Experienced, encouraging developmental + copy editor to help you get one step closer to publishing. I love romance, fantasy, and mystery!

Overview

My mission is to help writers bring clarity to their manuscripts and make their work shine through detailed, insightful, and encouraging editing, while keeping true to their unique voices and remembering the reader on the other end. I'd love to help you get one step closer to publication!

As a traditionally published author, I know what it’s like to be an unsure new writer, as well as an experienced writer trying to up my game with each new book. Thanks to that experience, I can relate to my authors from the point of view of having "been there, done that." Additionally, I’ve worked with New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors, as well as debut authors, both traditionally and self-published.

Here's what you’ll get from me:

* Honest but gentle feedback in my edits or evaluations. I love to point out the passages I enjoy as much as I do those that might need more work. Every reader needs encouragement! But I won’t BS you with fake praise either.

* Respectful treatment of your work. I’m thorough, and I ask questions where clarity is needed, rather than just assuming. It is your work, your words!

Whatever your needs are, don’t hesitate to ask. And, if you’re not exactly sure what your needs are, let’s talk about it! I can help you determine what your next step might be and how to best go about it. Hiring an editor is a big investment in your writing career, and I’ll do whatever I can to ensure it’s the best investment you ever make!

***

I really enjoyed the experience of working with Shannon on my novel. It was clear that she put a lot of thought into each of her comments . She was such a joy to work with! - Kevin Donner, author of Poopy Fingers

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Cozy Mysteries Epic Fantasy Magical Realism Romantic Comedy Romantic Fantasy Women's Fiction
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 2014 — Present
As a freelance copy editor, I have worked with both newer writers and previously published authors to bring their books to life and get them one step closer to publication. This has included working with established publishers, as well as indie authors. I come with the unique perspective of being a traditionally published author in the romance/women's fiction genre. I provide developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading while maintaining each writer's unique voice. Though I have editing in a wide variety of genres, my specialties include romance and women's fiction, as well as the mystery and fantasy genres.

Various

Sep, 1991 — Feb, 2019 (over 27 years)
Medical editor working on healthcare documentation in a variety of specialties for various hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Portfolio

Kingdom of the Two Moons

Thomashoff , Alexandra

Last Unicorn Press

Copy Editing Proofreading
For Whom the Belle Tolls

Lynn, Jaysea

S&S/Saga Press

Copy Editing
Heiress of Lies

Yuzawa, Tomoko

Tomoko Yuzawa

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
Heretic Behaviour: The Secrets of Demons

Glynn, E.C.

Earth & Embody Publishing House

Proofreading
Echoes of Us

Cross, Alex

Proofreading
Infinite Enigma (Infinite Series Book 5)

Waters, L.E.

Rock Castle Publishing

Proofreading
The Spark Ignites (The Spark Series Book 2)

Christopher, Samantha

Spark Productions

Copy Editing
The Very Best of Care: A Novel

Hatch, Julie

SparkPress

Proofreading
Proofreading
Collected

Thorpe, Jessica

Mother Bard Books LLC

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Death is in the Cards: A Pond Investigations Mystery

Stand, Jenni

Laughing Owl League LLC

Copy Editing
A Saga of Shields and Shadows (The Aegis Saga Book 1)

Shirley, A.J.

Culturally Conscious Creative, LLC

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Some Doubt About It: A Novel

McNabb, Marion

Lake Union Publishing

Copy Editing
Soul of Ice: Chronicles of Dawn

Matthews, Savannah G.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Distant Relative

Helensky,Joseph

Fulton Books, Inc.

Developmental Editing
Sleeping Daddy

Westerfer, Nicholas

Nicholas Westerfer

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Death by Decibels: A Dr. Elise Harte Mystery

Merritt, C.T.

Creative Solutionss

Proofreading
Copy Editing
The Spark Within (The Spark Series Book 1)

Christopher, Samantha

Spark Productions

Copy Editing
Heir Unapparent

Waters, L.E.

Rock Castle Publishing LLC.

Proofreading
The Spring I Turned Ugly

Waters, L.E.

Rock Castle Publishing

Proofreading
Rewriting the Rules

Crystal, Nicole

Nicole Crystal

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Mobile Rehab: A YA Humorous Fiction

Pagora, Winnie

Independently published

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
The Royal Brothers

Segun, O.T.

Mindstir Media

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
A Saga of Sovereigns and Secrets (The Aegis Saga Book 2)

Shirley, A.J.

Culturally Conscious Creative, LLC

Copy Editing
The Outside Club

Baker, Jeff

BookBaby

Copy Editing
The Godmother

Esposito, Leigh

Selvatica Books

Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Princess of Perizidon

Moore, Matthew D

MD Moore

Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Voices of Magic II: Re-Enchanting a Modern World

Woodhouse Et al., Mary

MMW Publishing

Copy Editing
Fins: A Novel of Relentless Satire

Helfman, Gene

Luminare Press

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Fat Camp

Lucas, Blake

Chandler House Books

Proofreading
Eyes on the Horizon

Fazzolari, Carrie Lynn

Gatekeeper Press

Developmental Editing
The Herbalist

Morrison-Tapley, Heather

Bowker

Copy Editing
Highland Magic

Morrison-Tapley, Heather

Developmental Editing
All In Good Time

Aden, Talia

Publishing Platform

Developmental Editing
A Mass Murder (Cotswold Capers Book 2)

Hyson, Peter

The Cotswolds Press

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Cape May Ever After

Brighton, Kimberly

Cape Island Publishers

Proofreading
The Con

Rosato, Rachel

Copy Editing
The Limestone Manor

Thompson, Jonny

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing
I Choose Us

Crystal, Nicole

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Ordinary Soil

Alex Woodard

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
Choice

Farkas, Dora

Developmental Editing Proofreading
Hippo For Christmas

Carrington, C.J.

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Little Blue Horses

Wilson, Bradley

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Death By Stiletto

Dillon, Claire

Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing
Unnatural Causes

T.E. Harkins

Madeline Delarouse always thought growing old would take a lot longer. But when her adult kids move her into an upscale retirement community on the west coast of Florida, she fears her best da... read more
Copy Editing
Anonymous Mom Posts

Goldin, Jenifer

Copy Editing
Proofreading
Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Beth Bradley 2.0

Ernst, Emma

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
A Matter of Perspective

Beresford, Thomas

Proofreading
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Among the Shadows

Fiely, Destiney

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
And There You Were

Mazanec, Manda

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Smokejumper Saga

Crues, John

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Heal

Endriga, Yasmine

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Steal My Heart

O'Brian, Aimee

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Pencil Me In

Wodtke, Christina

Copy Editing
Copy Editing

Shannon has 175 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Madison G.

Madison G.

May, 2026

Pinned
Shannon was wonderful to work with and did an excellent job with the developmental edits and copy edits for my debut novel. The style sheet was spot on, the developmental feedback was thorough and extremely helpful in identifying plot holes and inconsistencies, and her copy editing seemed to catc...
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Janet B.

Janet B.

Apr, 2026

Pinned
Working with Shannon has been one of the greatest blessings in my writing journey. She has edited five of my books, and with each one, she proves again why she is absolutely indispensable. Her attention to detail is extraordinary—nothing slips past her. She catches the smallest inconsistencies, t...
Read more
Marissa N.

Marissa N.

Feb, 2026

Pinned
Working with Shannon was an absolute joy and worth every penny! She clearly spent so much time going through my draft, thinking about what could be improved and trying to understand what I was going for. At the point I started working with her, I was really struggling with my book. I felt passion...
Read more
Cindy M.

Cindy M.

May, 2026

Shannon is excellent to work with. She is thorough and kind, especially in regards to the weak spots...which I appreciated immensely.
Regina W.

Regina W.

May, 2026

The good: Shannon was very punctual, responsive, and polite. She answered questions thoroughly and provided a sample edit right away, without prompting. The bad: Value. I honestly can't tell if hiring Shannon was a mistake or if hiring a copy/line editor in general was a waste of money. $2K is ...
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