Stephen Brewer – Editor

I have been an editor and writer for more than 40 years, working with many national magazines and major publishers. As a book editor, I have worked on dozens of titles, often illustrated photography and architecture works, for publishers that include Abbeville, Watson-Guptill, Random House, Phaidon Press, and Monacelli Studio. I have developed and edited books with leading photographers (the legendary Norman McGrath and Brenda Tharp, among others), celebrities (including Kaye Ballard and Katherine Hepburn), and many other no less talented authors who wish to showcase their work. Some of my recent and extremely satisfying projects with Reedsy have included editing a wonderful illustrated autobiography of British photographer Carole Latimer and a scholarly monograph by Domenico Lanera about the architectural and engineering feats of Castel del Monte, a medieval castle/fortress in the Puglia region of Italy.

I collaborate with clients to develop and structure a manuscript in progress or edit an existing manuscript, beginning with an evaluation and suggestions of what I can do to help produce the book an author or publisher envisions. This usually includes a sample edit to show my style and approach and to ensure we can work together well. Once we have agreed on the approach, I do a thorough line edit, often coordinating text and illustration. I like to work closely with clients, sending chapters as I complete them for review, including any questions and suggestions I have as I go along. This can be a lengthy process, but close collaboration is key to ensuring a successful project. Once we have reworked and enhanced the text in this manner I do a second edit and present the manuscript, with photographs and illustrations in place, as a Word document or in another format the client prefers.