Staci Frenes

Staci Frenes – Editor

Developmental & copy editor for over a decade, including NYT bestselling authors. Especially love memoir, contemporary fiction.

Overview

**I am currently not working on manuscripts written with AI.**

"Staci is a gift to work with. She is both professional and kind, and her editorial skills are superb, adding value and clarity to the story." - Juli Boit (author, James Morgan Publishing)

"I hired Staci for an editorial assessment of my memoir-in-progress. Her thorough feedback was the exact roadmap I needed to guide my revisions!" - Marianne Richmond (author, Sourcebooks)

"Staci helped me distill the truth of my story in a way that even I could understand it more clearly!" - Ingrid Clayton, PhD (author, independent)

***

I’m an editor and published author with ten years of experience and a degree in English from UC Berkeley. I love helping writers craft extraordinary stories and am especially drawn to memoirs of personal transformation and growth.

Having gone through the rigorous publishing process myself as an author, I bring invaluable experience to the various stages of editing with an eye on the end result. From an initial assessment of your early draft to a comprehensive developmental edit, I'll work closely with you to get your book in the best shape possible for publication.

My editing experience includes working collaboratively with in-house editing teams from traditional publishers (e.g. Broadleaf Books), but I especially love working directly with independent authors to craft original, moving stories that range from personal memoir to contemporary romance.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Inspirational Religion & Spirituality Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Contemporary Romance
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2014 — Present
I offer a suite of services for published and independent authors, including developmental editing, copy editing, and manuscript evaluation.

Broadleaf Books

Feb, 2021 — Mar, 2023 (about 2 years)
Books edited include “Breath Prayers” by Christine Valters Paintner, "Be the Brave One" by Ann Kansfield, and "Death is a Day Worth Living" by Ana Quintana.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Inside Makeover: Building a Life That Feels Better Than It Looks

Mercer, Danielle

Independently published

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Snapshots: Everyday Lessons from a Life of Faith

Christopher, Kathy

Kathy Christopher

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
THE EXTRAORDINARY POWER OF BEING AVERAGE

MD, Mel Herbert,

Woop Woop Media

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
The Opening: The Sacred Nature of Being Human

Frankel, Misha

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Man I Needed

Hackler, Dionte

Dionte Hackler

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Good Book: A memoir for the truth seeker

Good, Anthony

A Good Press

Developmental Editing
Death Is a Day Worth Living

Quintana Arantes, Ana Claudia

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Water Wishes: Bound by Tides

Aguiar, Freya

West Witch, LLC

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Evie Interrupted

Bailey, Alison G.

Copy Editing
Don't Give Up

Lopez, Josh

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Mud Vein

Tarryn Fisher

When reclusive novelist Senna Richards wakes up on her thirty-third birthday, everything has changed. Caged behind an electrical fence, locked in a house in the middle of the snow, Senna is le... read more
Copy Editing
In the Fields

Willow Aster

Caroline has loved Isaiah for as long as she can remember…even though nothing about him is acceptable, according to her family, her town, and everyone in it. All she has ever wanted is a simpl... read more
Copy Editing

Staci has 29 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bob V.

Bob V.

Aug, 2025

Pinned
It was a pleasure working with Staci. She not only enhanced my book through her editing skills, but provided helpful advice about the self-publishing process. She also offered encouragement, which is invaluable when you're going the self-publishing route. I would gladly work with Staci on future ...
Read more
Brenda J.

Brenda J.

May, 2025

Pinned
Staci’s edits, comments, guidance, and feedback were exactly what I was looking for. I felt she really cared about my story and my voice, and helped bring into sharper focus, the core message I wanted to convey. She was kind, yet honest about the things that worked and the parts that needed more ...
Read more
Cat H.

Cat H.

Apr, 2025

Pinned
Working with Staci on my book was transformative. She understood the voice, heart, and humor behind my story and treated it with both respect and honesty. She wasn't afraid to challenge me, but did so with kindness and clarity. She helped me untangle messy sections, strengthen structure, and m...
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karen H.

karen H.

Jun, 2026

Staci was great to work with. After publishing a children's book years ago, I realized how overly wordy I could be and so this time while working on my memoir I knew I needed help. Staci gave me great direction in every way and helped me craft a story with meaning. She was very encouraging (which...
Read more
Lara S.

Lara S.

Mar, 2026

Working with you on my memoir was truly a wonderful experience, and I’m so grateful for all the time, care, and thought you put into my manuscript. Your honesty, insight, and attention to detail made such a difference, and I deeply appreciate how thoughtfully you approached my story. Memoirs are ...
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