Shelly Stinchcomb - Editor
Dedicated, compassionate, honest writing coach who has polished manuscripts for both new and best-selling authors. I make your work shine!
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Overview
I am a passionate fan of the written word!
As a Developmental Editor with over 10 years of experience, I take the approach of a writing coach. My expertise, strength, and value is in working closely with you on areas such as language, story flow, narrative tension, plot and character development, consistency, and pace. Understanding how intrusive editing can feel, I take great pride in providing an honest review and thoughtful suggestions, often with explanation, so not only does your current manuscript improve, your overall writing for future projects does as well. My focus is all in the details to help you polish your manuscripts and make them shine.
I create an environment of open communication where projects are discussed freely and without judgment. My end goal is to work collaboratively to build a trusting, long-term relationship with each of my clients.
I edit for fiction authors across a variety of genres, with multiple best-selling clients such as Caroline Mitchell, Marci Bolden, Holly Kammier, and Jessica Therrien. Other clients, including award winners, K.A Fox, Ramcy Diek, and Debra Kristi. Several of my clients are published in more than one country.
It would be my pleasure to hear from you and see if my style is right for you!
~Shelly
Please note - I no longer edit in the genres of Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, or Memoirs
As a Developmental Editor with over 10 years of experience, I take the approach of a writing coach. My expertise, strength, and value is in working closely with you on areas such as language, story flow, narrative tension, plot and character development, consistency, and pace. Understanding how intrusive editing can feel, I take great pride in providing an honest review and thoughtful suggestions, often with explanation, so not only does your current manuscript improve, your overall writing for future projects does as well. My focus is all in the details to help you polish your manuscripts and make them shine.
I create an environment of open communication where projects are discussed freely and without judgment. My end goal is to work collaboratively to build a trusting, long-term relationship with each of my clients.
I edit for fiction authors across a variety of genres, with multiple best-selling clients such as Caroline Mitchell, Marci Bolden, Holly Kammier, and Jessica Therrien. Other clients, including award winners, K.A Fox, Ramcy Diek, and Debra Kristi. Several of my clients are published in more than one country.
It would be my pleasure to hear from you and see if my style is right for you!
~Shelly
Please note - I no longer edit in the genres of Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci-Fi, or Memoirs
Services
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Coming of Age
Contemporary Fiction
Legal Thriller
Mystery & Crime
Psychological Thriller
Romance
Women's Fiction
Work experience
Development Editor, Audiobook Proofer, and more
Self-employed
August, 2009
–
Present
(almost 11 years)
I am a passionate fan of the written word!
As a Development/Content Editor, I take the approach of a writing coach. I work closely with authors on areas such as language, story flow, character development, consistency, plot and pace. A writer myself, I understand how intrusive editing can feel. I take great pride in providing an honest review and thoughtful suggestions, often with explanation, so not only does the author’s current manuscript improve, their overall writing for future projects does as well. My focus is all in the details to help authors polish their manuscripts and make them shine.
I edit for fiction authors across a variety of genres, with multiple best-selling clients such as Caroline Mitchell, Marci Bolden, Holly Kammier, and Jessica Therrien. Other clients, including award winners, K.A Fox, Ramcy Diek, and Debra Kristi. Several of my clients are published in more than one country.
Outside of the book world, I can be found hanging out with my dogs, playing cards, doing puzzles, and sometimes being prodded into going out with friends. In other words, I'm an outgoing introvert. ;-)
Portfolio (16 selected works)
Paranormal Intruder: The Terrifying True Story of a Family in Fear
Caroline Mitchell
The terrifying true story of a family in fearAn innocent family finds itself completely helpless against the sudden onset of paranormal activity in their quiet rural home. A knife embedded in a kitchen cupboard, crockery smashed by invisible hands, and blood-chilling growls emit from thin air. Caroline and her husband Neil search for answers as they try to protect their family from the unseen ... read more
Oppression (Children of the Gods Book 1)
Jessica Therrien
Elyse knows what it means to keep a secret. She's been keeping secrets her whole life. Two, actually. First, that she ages five times slower than average people, so that while she looks eighteen years old, she's closer to eighty. Second, that her blood has a mysterious power to heal. For Elyse, these things don't make her special. They make life dangerous. After the death of her parents, she's... read more
You don’t know him. But he knows you.Soon he would be able to touch her, to feel the warmth of her blood. And when the time came, nothing would stop him.As D.C. Jennifer Knight investigates a routine stabbing in the quiet town of Haven, she is shocked at what seems like a personal message from beyond the grave.When more bodies are found, Jennifer is convinced the killings are somehow linked. W... read more
A Life Without Water
Marci Bolden
Oh my goodness. This book had me sucked in from the beginning. A well written, heartbreaking book about forgiveness, and finding peace amidst a tragedy that no parent should face. Get the tissues ready!!! This was a great book. I need a day to recover. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Stefani Reads‘OMG… This book has me feeling every kind of emotion... Have a box of tissues ready…Truly beautiful. Netgalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐... read more
Delaney Murphy has always known she’s the Devil’s daughter. And although the title itself is a burden, she never expects to inherit all her father’s infernal abilities. When her newfound magic begins to poison the people closest to her, Laney must make a choice. To protect the world from the worst she can do, she leaves everyone she loves behind and builds a new life for herself, alone, in a p... read more
To be a dragon-shifter in a world that has written your existence off as a legend is hard enough. To be a hybrid dragon-shifter is everything fire and ice wrapped up in dragonet angst....While hiding from her family and struggling with a life changing decision, runaway and hybrid dragon-shifter, Kyra the Moorigad finds herself falling for her all-too-secretive best friend, Sebastian. A man for... read more
Uprising (Children of the Gods Book 2)
Jessica Therrien
Elyse has done everything she can to protect her friends from The Council's reach. As long as they believe she's dead, she has time to rest and train for war. And war is inevitable. When Kara arrives with the news that Anna and Chloe have been captured, Elyse is faced with the realization that no one is safe until The Council is stopped and Christoph is destroyed. She doesn't need a prophecy t... read more
Eomix Galaxy Books: Illusion (Book 1 of 2)
Christa Yelich-Koth
"One strength is the depth of the abilities you’ve created for Daith. Everything in your book is SO well thought out … I can just feel the anticipation!” —From Jessica Therrien, Barnes & Noble best-selling author of the Children of the Gods series.Daith's father is dead. His death caused a rip in the galaxy's peace. The remains of his army are fighting to restore it. But Daith knows nothing of... read more
Shadows of Shame
Bruce Ashkenas
Harold Apple is a Jewish reporter willing to do anything for a story. When he's asked to risk his life to infiltrate the Nazi Bund in late 1930's New York, he jumps at the chance, Leaving behind his fiancée and the safety of his home, Apple goes undercover in search of the real story. Before the world knew enough to fear them, the hate-filled paramilitary mob know as the German American Bund t... read more
A few years after Sarah Wangai vanished, Hayato Sano graduated from the Eagle King’s Academy. Two days later, he disappeared.Axel faces his greatest challenge yet when he and his fellow students attend the most extravagant party of the year – the Diamond. The students are forced to test their skills against the world’s foremost elite. But the games Axel play turn treacherous, and soon he finds... read more
Forbidden Quest (Hypnotic Journey Book 1)
Alaina Stanford
An intense Fantasy Adventure Series!Wouldn't it be cool to suddenly have the battle skills of a seasoned warrior? What if the battles felt real, but there was no physical risk to you? That would be perfect, except for one thing. The hypnotist in charge of your session is insanely evil, and is using you as a weapon in a plot for revenge. Four friends, two in love, two in hate, enter into a grou... read more
"Your blood, my dear. It sang to me. Led me straight to you." As a child, Ana played pretend in her made-up world of Hiddenkel. But the innocence of youth is shattered when Ana's boyfriend is killed in a car accident - one she is certain she somehow caused. That's when she meets him. The man with the blue eyes and golden hair. The man who was drawn by her blood and lurks in her dreams. When sh... read more
Choosing Hope
Holly Kammier
“A perfectly beautiful love affair gone terribly wrong. Choosing Hope is a love story, a nightmare, and a lesson to the world all in one.” - Mandy Urena, author of Touchy, Feely, Squeezy: Musings of a Masseuse A broken marriage.A love affair.A lie that changes it all… Hope Sullivan has been with the same man since her freshman year of college. She knows her marriage has its cracks, but she doe... read more
Lost Girl: A Shelby Day Novel
Holly Kammier
An appalling act of violence and an unsolved double-murder.Small-town investigative reporter, Shelby Day, is determined to hunt a killer. As her search draws closer to uncovering the twisted truth, she begins receiving ominous warnings to stay quiet and drop the story. The young journalist is in danger. Her charming cameraman and best-friend, a person with his own secret past, says he wants to... read more
Kingston Court
Holly Kammier
What happens when you take middle-aged, stay-at-home moms, and throw them back into the workforce and dating? A modern twist between Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives, Kingston Court follows the love, lies, and friendships of two wealthy Southern California women.Samantha and Natalie are at a crossroads. Gorgeous, over-the-top Samantha, hangs her status and her happiness on her “perfec... read more
Storm at Keizer Manor
Ramcy Diek
While college graduate Forrest tries to find a job, quick witted Annet works at the Keizer Manor, the museum where the oils from 19th century master painter Alexander Keizer are exhibited.After a fight, the couple strolls through the dunes to talk. When dark clouds roll in, the beautiful sunny weather turns into a thunderstorm so violent that they get separated.The next morning, Forrest finds ... read more
Shelly has 17 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Shelly is the first person I have worked with in the book writing process and I couldnt have asked for a better person. Writing my first book of a series, I was extremely nervous. But Shelly being the extraordinary person she is, made all of that go away. She is professional and personal at the same time. She understood what I was going for and was there whenever I had questions. Shelly is my n...
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Monica Barajas, April 2019
Reply from Shelly Stinchcomb
Shelly provided timely and invaluable edits for my manuscript. She wasn't afraid to tackle the emotional ups and downs of the characters and push me to dig deeper to fine tune their development.
Marci Boudreaux Clark, October 2018
Reply from Shelly Stinchcomb
I asked for a fairytale and Shelly was the one I was looking for. It was my very first book that I decided to challenge myself and write it. Of course along the way I went through a certain emotional rollercoaster but Shelly's guidance and support was everything. Her comments, ideas and recommendations were on point throughout our collaboration. I don't know what I would've done without her sug...
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Beata M, October 2018
Reply from Shelly Stinchcomb
This being my first time as a writer, Shelly was so easy to talk to and extremely helpful. She guided me in the path I need to take in order to finish my ms the right way. She was far more than I had ever expected from an editor and made the experience so pleasant. Shelly is definitely top notch and I will be working with her for my future books.
Monica Barajas, September 2018
I hired Shelly to serve as my developmental editor for my first novel. Going into this process, I was very nervous about working with an editor and Shelly exceeded all of my expectations. She did a tremendous job on suggesting changes to my novel that only improved the final product. Her professionalism and communication style throughout made the process of working with an editor very enjoyable...
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Spenser Warren, May 2018
Reply from Shelly Stinchcomb
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Lauren Finger
Editor and proofreader, 19 yrs. Bookouture, Atlantic Books, Allen & Unwin. Commercial fiction and memoir. Spaces from November.
Sydney NSW, Australia
Dominic Wakeford
Experienced book editor formerly @ HarperCollins and Little Brown, working on a range of fiction including literary, commercial, crime + YA.
London, UK
