Sherri S

Sherri S – Editor

Editor specializing in romance/romance subgenres. 18+ years working with the world's largest publisher of romantic fiction. HEAs are my MO!

Overview

POLISH YOUR PROSE AND UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVE BRILLIANCE


Thorough? Absolutely. Harsh? Never.


*When I edit your work, you can expect a detailed review with plenty of suggestions.


WHY SO MANY EDITS?


Because I take editing seriously, I highlight every opportunity to make your writing stronger while also recognizing and celebrating your natural strengths. Sometimes, writers don’t even realize what they’re doing well—I make sure you do! My goal is to leave you feeling confident and excited about refining your work.


With years of experience in book editing and acquisitions within the publishing industry, I provide high-quality editing at rates lower than the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) standard.


TRANSPARENT PRICING


I believe in straightforward pricing—charging per word rather than per hour—so you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying.


DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING


Also known as content editing or story editing, this is the first stage of the editorial process in traditional publishing. I focus on:

✔ Plot structure & pacing

✔ Character development & motivation

✔ Rising tension & conflict

✔ Logic & continuity issues


COPY EDITING


Often called line editing, this step refines your writing after developmental editing. I ensure:

✔ Grammar, punctuation, & spelling are correct

✔ Sentence structure is varied & engaging

✔ Transitions flow smoothly

✔ Redundant words & ideas are eliminated

I follow The Chicago Manual of Style, the industry standard for traditional publishing.


THE WORKS – Comprehensive Editing


This package includes both developmental and copy editing—a cost-effective way to get a full, in-depth editorial pass.



QUERY LETTERS


$125 – Query Letter Only (Two-passes)

$250 – Query Letter + Synopsis (Two-passes)



(Even if you haven’t written a single word of your draft yet, this service can help ensure your story stays on track!)


I’ve read thousands of query letters, and I know what makes one stand out. I’ll review your query letter (one page) and synopsis (up to five double-spaced pages, Times New Roman), providing strategic edits and suggested rewrites to increase your chances of catching an agent’s or editor’s attention.


Beyond refining your pitch, I also research the market to help identify strong comp titles—which are more important than ever in today’s publishing industry. A well-chosen comparison can make all the difference in how your book is perceived.


You'll have the chance to revise your query and synopsis based on my feedback. Once you’ve made improvements, I’ll edit them again for maximum polish and impact.

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*Note: I work exclusively with Word documents.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Romance Historical Romance Paranormal Romance Romantic Comedy Romantic Suspense Time Travel Romance
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • Certified Proofreader

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 2012 — Present

I collaborate closely with clients, respecting their unique voice and intentions while offering expert guidance and suggestions for improvement.

HarperCollins

Feb, 2012 — Present

Author of over 15 published novels with 300,000+ books sold.

Self-Employed

Feb, 2008 — Present

Professional author and speaker whose writing tips have been featured in Writing with Emotion, Tension, and Conflict, and Write Smart, Write Happy.

Sherri has 67 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Skip R.

Skip R.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Sherri took me from unpublished to published novelist!
Richard B.

Richard B.

Feb, 2025

She gave me excellent feedback and finished three days early. You won't go wrong with her.
Tom C.

Tom C.

Feb, 2025

Sherri S. did a fantastic job of editing my project. The pricing was fair and she completed the work exactly when she said she would. Looking forward to working with her on my synopsis and cover lette.
TheBlonde K.

TheBlonde K.

Jan, 2025

Sherri was so professional. Her polishes to the query were on point and she explained why those edits made sense. I needed a service not originally proposed and she pivoted with me. She went above my expectations and offered support and encouragement for the project.
Robin W.

Robin W.

Dec, 2024

I was genuinely surprised by the quality of the notes and advice I got from Sherri. I was expecting good things, of course, from her reputation, but she still exceeded my expectations. Very clear and precise notes, easily understood and always to improve my manuscript, accompanied by enough encouragement toovercome the author's natural protectionism! Suggestions for improvement that always mad...
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