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

I do not take on projects that include rape scenes or elements of non-consensual sexual content. I also do not accept work that features acts of cruelty toward children or animals. I specialize in romance for the happily-ever-after!

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.

.

*Note: I work exclusively with Word documents. I sometimes use digital tools, including AI, to help organize and format my editorial notes so they’re as clear and structured as possible. All analysis, feedback, and recommendations are my own, drawn from my experience as an editor and my careful reading of your manuscript.

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 114 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Skip R.

Skip R.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Sherri took me from unpublished to published novelist!
Debra L.

Debra L.

Feb, 2026

Sherri is warm and professional. She pointed out what was working and what needed work, and to what extent. Her editorial input provided suggested fixes to problems as well as encouragement, all along the way.
philip S.

philip S.

Feb, 2026

Sherri is a splendid editor. First edit, I took it on the chin. Great advice for reworking my troubled novel with stronger character arcs and added tension. She even provided me a great (fav) novel that was like mine in a way which gave me a model for a fresh (but distant) narrator and more drama...
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Hailee G.

Hailee G.

Jan, 2026

I cannot say enough good about working with this editor. It was my first book, and she guided me through the process. She gave me thoughtful suggestions, was thorough in her job, and timely. I would absolutely LOVE working with her again after this.
Cara M.

Cara M.

Jan, 2026

This was my second time working with Sherri and it was just as great at the first! Her copy editing was thorough and very helpful. She also provided some insight on how to catagorize my work which was incredibly helpful.

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