Sylvia Cottrell – Editor

***NOTE***I am not accepting new projects at this time***NOTE***

Hello! My name is Sylvia, and I am an enthusiastic, results-focused editor living and working in beautiful Sonoma County, California. I am committed to helping authors every step of the way through the editorial life of a project. In service of this commitment, I offer manuscript evaluations, developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, and query letter evaluation/editing.

I have been involved in the professional editorial sphere for ten years and am experienced with many types and levels of editing. Some of my current and previous clients include Beyond Words Publishing (a division of Simon & Schuster), HarperOne, IT Revolution, Parragon Books, Carlton Publishing, Lincoln Learning Solutions, Nike, Jager Di Paula Kemp (JDK) Design, and Portland State University. I have also worked with many independent authors looking to either establish themselves in the self-pub sphere or go after big contracts with major houses (and just about everything in between).

My primary passions are developmental edits and copyedits for middle grade, YA, and adult fantasy + sci-fi as well as for self-help, inspirational, and narrative nonfiction. Should you decide to work with me, I guarantee you professionalism, enthusiasm, timeliness, and open-hearted listening paired with educated constructive criticism. Together, we can make sure your work reaches its full potential.

“Every writer—aspiring or accomplished—would do well to have an editor like Sylvia. She has an eye for both detail and the broader perspective. She knows how to polish a manuscript. In a writing career that includes eleven books and scores of magazine articles, I’ve had more than a dozen editors. I’d count Sylvia among those few at the very top.”
―Ruth Tenzer Feldman, author of Blue Thread, winner of the 2013 Oregon Book Award Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Adult Literature

“I couldn’t ask for a better editor. You’ve taught me so much and I know I’ll miss you, Sylvia!”
―Elisa Medhus, M.D., author of My Son and the Afterlife

“Sylvia is a meticulous and enthusiastic editor. She has the ability to connect with her authors and colleagues, engendering mutual respect and an easy working relationship. Sylvia is experienced with all levels of editing, including line editing and content editing. As a colleague, Sylvia is especially adept at supporting and advising other members of her team. I highly recommend her for all of your freelance editing needs.”
―Leah Brown, freelance editor, formerly of Beyond Words Publishing