Shelly Stinchcomb - Editor
Charlottesville, VA, United States
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 9 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, Holly Kammier, and Jessica Therrien. Other clients, including award winners, Bruce Ashkenas, Ramcy Diek, and Debra Kristi.
It would be my pleasure to hear from you and see if my style is right for you!
~Shelly
Services
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Adventure
Crime & Mystery
Holiday
Horror
Paranormal Romance
Romance
Thriller
Women's Fiction
Work experience
Content/Development Editor
Self-employed
August, 2009
–
Present
(about 9 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 both fiction and narrative nonfiction authors across a variety of genres, with multiple best-selling clients such as Caroline Mitchell, Holly Kammier, and Jessica Therrien. Other clients, including Bruce Ashkenas, Ramcy Diek, and Debra Kristi are award winning authors.
Outside of the book world, I can be found enjoying the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Charlottesville indie music scene, or sampling wines from one of our many local vineyards.
Portfolio (17 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
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
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
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
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
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
El Awake
Jordan Sala Tenna
In the year 2115, Eleutherius (El) is struggling to find meaning in a city where most are strangely submissive and unquestioning towards the absolute rule of the merciless authorities. But after discovering the dark truth behind the white city, El ventures on a fast paced and thrilling journey to fight for the freedom of a people he once resented. Guided by his now-deceased grandfather's poems... 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
Seasons Within: Nature has its own will
Lele Iturrioz
Revised version uploaded on: April 16, 2017Most teenage girls know their name, where they came from, who they are. Not G, a beautiful redhead with unusual markings on her wrist. She gets her name from a silver locket she keeps around her neck, unaware the engraved letter “G” on its front holds the secret to her past.G’s life before the age of six has been a mystery to her. Each night for the l... read more
Gaia finally knows who she is and what she’s meant to do. It’s only been a few weeks since the earth element woke in her. Now that she’s embracing her role as Mother Nature, she must journey with her group of power-wielding friends in a race against time to get back home before Azazel reaches them. With the awakening of a brand new element, her true past with Edan, a dangerous decision that co... 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
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
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
Whom can you trust when you play the game of power? Against his will, 22-year-old Axel is admitted to the highly esteemed Eagle King’s Academy. Together with 11 other students, he’s primed to become one of the most influential and powerful leaders of his time. Yet behind the Academy’s luxurious and polished façade awaits a world of lies, ambitions and dark secrets. To graduate, the students mu... read more
Shelly has 13 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Communication
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...
Read moreSpenser Warren, May 2018
Thank you for your kind words, Spenser. You are a talented writer and worked hard to create a fantastic final product! I look forward to working with you again in the future.
Reply from Shelly Stinchcomb
Shelly is very professional, keeps to her committed deadlines and gives feedback that is poignant, relevant, yet positive. I will definitely use her services again.
Read moreDyann Lansing, May 2018
Thank you for your kind words Dyann! I look forward to future collaborations.
Reply from Shelly Stinchcomb
Shelly saved my life!!! Okay, maybe that's a bit of overkill, but I also don't want to minimize the impact she had on my manuscript, and my writing. Right from the start during the selection process I felt a connection with Shelly. I could tell from the suggestions made in the sample critique that she "got" the book and knew just what nudges I needed to take to move it in the right direction. ...
Read moreDL Hammons, September 2017
Shelly has been amazing to work with. She explains everything and more to help you improve your writing, characters, twists and plots. Between editing she will often message with her thoughts on bits that need tweeking. She offers the best way for you to get everything you need from working with her. I love learning and Shelly sure does fill you with lots of enthusiasm to learn and become th...
Read moreLaura Fuller, July 2017
Shelly's a delight to work with--professional, clear, and reliable. She was able to take my work and make it shine, finding inconsistencies and errors others had missed. I also appreciate greatly that she didn't try and change my voice. Instead, she became familiar with it and then coached me on how to make it really pop. I hope to work with her again in the future.
Read moreAmity Grays, June 2017
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