Teja Watson

Teja Watson – Editor

A lifetime of reading, editing, and writing books—this work is my dream. It would be an honor to help you get your book ready for the world.

Overview

I offer you and your book my 28 years of experience with all aspects of the editorial process: from mentoring, coaching, and brainstorming to manuscript review and developmental editing.


As an author of seven novels (one published, and counting) and one screenplay, I take a great deal of care with feedback - and I know what it takes to get published.


As an editor, I am thorough, thoughtful, and creative, with assured instincts for what makes good writing. My ultimate goal is to help you become a better writer.


As a person, I am kind, easygoing, and intuitive. I'm single parent to a smart, thoughtful daughter and a sweet, funny dog. My spirituality supports me in everything I do.


As a citizen and community member, I affirm that Black Lives Matter.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing Religion & Spirituality
Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Plays & Screenplays Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Two Birds Editing

Aug, 2010 — Present

Editing and rewriting of books for City Lights Publishers, Seal Press, Stone Bridge Books, Kodansha International, North Atlantic Books, Parallax Press, and New Harbinger—as well as books by private individuals—in genres such as literary fiction, thrillers, children’s, young adult, memoir, short stories, erotica, health and wellness, and spirituality.

Avalon Travel

Feb, 2007 — Aug, 2010 (over 3 years)

For the award-winning Moon travel guide series: worked with authors to guide and shape books upon signing of contract; set and stuck to budgets and schedules; hired freelance copy editors/indexers and reviewed their work; coordinated with production, cartography, and other editors to ensure consistency and efficiency; and developmentally edited, line edited, and proofread all assigned titles (approximately 10 per year).

Alyson Books

Feb, 2001 — Mar, 2004 (about 3 years)

Reviewed, selected, and acquired manuscripts for the oldest and largest publisher of gay and lesbian fiction and nonfiction. On an average of 20 titles a year, worked closely with writers on manuscript development and revisions; line edited, copyedited, and proofread all manuscripts; presented launch titles; and wrote cover copy and introductions. As one of a three-member editorial team, researched, brainstormed, and actively enacted new book ideas; as part of the ten-person Alyson democracy, worked closely with marketing, production, art director, designers, and editorial director to create a successful package for every book.

George magazine

Jan, 2000 — Apr, 2001 (about 1 year)

Copyedited, proofread, and trafficked copy for politics/culture magazine.

Jane magazine

Jan, 1999 — Jan, 2000 (about 1 year)

Edited and trafficked all copy for women’s magazine. Selected and edited monthly fiction. Wrote features, reviews, and display copy.

Spin magazine

Sep, 1998 — Jan, 2000 (over 1 year)

Copyedited and line-edited international music magazine. Entered all editors’ changes and originated proofs in Quark Xpress. Managed workload/freelance staff.

Portfolio

The Abhidharma, one of the three major text collections of the original Buddhist canon, frames the psychological system of Buddhism, explaining the workings of reality and the nature of the human mind. It is composed of detailed matrixes and lists that outline... read more
A vision to address our environment, economy, politics, culture, and to catalyze the radical whole-system change we need nowRecasting current problems as emergent opportunities, Terry Patten offers creative responses, practices, and conscious conversations for... read more
A look at the spiritual, emotional, and philosophical implications of end-of-life care by an elegant and literary writer who is a hospital chaplain.As a hospital chaplain, Amy Wright Glenn has been present with those suffering from suicide, trauma, disease, an... read more
In Embodied Enlightenment, contemporary spiritual teacher Amoda Maa Jeevan dispels the outdated view of a transcendent enlightenment and instead presents a new, feminine expression of awakened consciousness for all—one that is felt and known through what our e... read more
Designed for beginning as well as experienced tarot readers, Holistic Tarot offers a fresh and easy-to-follow approach to the use of the tarot deck for tapping into subconscious knowledge and creativity. The tarot deck has been used as a divination tool for mo... read more
This user-friendly guide gives straightforward and practical advice to anyone who wants a holistic approach to taking care of themselves naturally. Following the traditional framework of an anatomy book that explains each body system chapter-by-chapter, Pip Wa... read more
Use This Book To Turn Your Fussy, Crying Baby Into a Happy, Calm Baby What many new breastfeeding mothers don’t realize is that a fussy, gassy, colicky, crying baby can be reacting negatively to the foods that she eats! Everything that a breastfeeding mother e... read more
A-Void

Babak Govan

Those who adapt to environmental changes survive. What happens when the environment changes too fast for us to adapt? In an increasingly fast-paced, near-future world, psychologist Billy Carrington wakes from a nap to discover that he is completely alone. With... read more
A bougie addict and his wife hire Mason to hunt for buried loot, but he’s not even sure it exists. His psychic insights lead him to an old building with a lot to hide, as well as trying to outwit a Freemason, and getting tangled up with a woman who claims to b... read more
Strange things start to happen as soon as psychic investigator Mason and his boyfriend, Ned, and their roommate, Peggy, arrive in the high desert. An old friend sends him on a quest to identify an artifact found hidden among his dead father’s possessions, and ... read more
A metallurgist's desire for Mason to locate the earth energy points running under Los Angeles seems straightforward enough, but what is he planning to do with them once he knows where they are? A shady real estate transaction and a bizarre machine hidden in th... read more
When Etor shows up on the doorstep of the wealthy Whitby family claiming to be a long-lost relative, Henry, the scion of the Los Angeles dynasty, hires psychic investigator Mason to find out whether the interloper really did come from a parallel universe. Why ... read more
After quitting his dead-end job to work freelance as a psychic investigator, Los Angeles-based Mason faces skepticism from his boyfriend, his friends, and even his first client. But using his psychic tools of lucid dreaming and psychometry, along with raids on... read more
A fender-bender on the freeway gets psychic investigator Mason entangled with Catherine, an enigmatic visitor from DC—but who, exactly, does she work for? Trying to track her down, he runs across Billy Blood, a Los Angeles company that markets a stomach-churni... read more
Helping out Gilbert, a friend who’s suffering from late-night visitations, psychic investigator Mason is confronted with aliens on the roof, and soon finds himself caught in a whirlwind of paranormal events. Liminal beings contract him to stop a very real land... read more
When an old client sends psychic investigator Mason on a ghost hunt, he stumbles onto a research lab populated by strangely passive scientists with some remarkably advanced tech. Ingratiating himself with Annette, the director, by participating in the local to... read more
Virginia resident Katie Githens shares the best her state has to offer, from the tumultuous Great Falls to Southwest Virginia's The Crooked Road. Githens provides unique travel strategies, including The Two-Week History Tour and Virginia Is For Foodies. Comple... read more
Erin Van Rheenen, the expert on relocating to Costa Rica, has made the move herself and provides insight and first-hand advice to navigating the language and culture of this beautiful country. Van Rheenen outlines all the information needed in a smart, organiz... read more
Award-winning journalist and Cleveland native Douglas Trattner uncovers every nook and cranny of his favorite city, sharing his love of this often overlooked mecca, from the 20,000 acres of Cleveland's Metroparks to the famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dougl... read more
San Francisco resident Philip Goldsmith knows the best way to experience Northern California's wine country, from buying fresh produce at Rutherford Gardens to getting swirling and sniffing lessons at Goosecross Cellars to enjoying a hot-air balloon ride over ... read more
Outdoor enthusiasts W. C. McRae and Judy Jewell share their extensive knowledge of coastal Oregon, from the best places to grab a seaside snack to the most scenic hikes along the Coastal Trail. McRae and Jewell also outline a variety of suggested travel strate... read more
Outdoors writer-photographer Becky Lomax uses her experience as a skier, hiker, kayaker, and bicycler to capture the adventures of camping in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. Lomax provides insight on the picturesque Glacier National Park, the incredible wildlife ... read more
Journalist and TV reporter Helen Iveson offers her unique perspective on Beijing and Shanghai, from experiencing the grandeur of the Forbidden City and slurping noodles at the open-air night market in Wangfujing to sipping a cocktail while enjoying the Pudong ... read more
This story is one of five original and enchanting fairy tales that make up this collection, beautifully illustrated with paintings and drawings, which Horn Book called “One of the outstanding children’s books of the season.”
Two children—one with blue dads, one from a more traditional family—compare notes in this light hearted book about parents who are different. In the end, of course, they discover that blue dads aren’t really that different from other dads. Except for one thing.
The Daddy Machine

Johnny Valentine

Two children with lesbian mothers wonder what it would be like to have a father, so they make themselves a daddy machine, turn it on, and a dad pops out. Then comes another, and another, and another ...
Valencia Brandywine, heiress to a hotel empire, has been kidnapped, and the ransom is $7 million and her brother Rico's denouncement of his homosexuality. Valencia has been kidnapped by a group of zealots determined to convert the world's homosexuals to a life... read more
“It’s an all-stops-out heart-tugger for sure . . . its emotional wallop is earned honestly and uncompromisingly.”—Kevin Thomas, L.A. TimesWinner of the Outstanding First Narrative Feature Award at OUTFest (the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival), and the ... read more
The Deal: A Novel

Becky Cochrane

The delightful new novel from the authors of He's The One and It Had to Be You. New Year's Eve, 1999. Millennium celebrations light up the sky from Sydney to Seattle. But in the Houston living room of Aaron Fisher, the fireworks have fizzled! A gathering with ... read more
An inside view of American hustler culture from the 1600s to today. Male and transgendered hustlers have been a mostly -invisible part of American life for more than 400 years. Their invisibility leaves these men unprotected, victimized and at risk for sexuall... read more
What do two nice Jewish girls do when they want to start a family? They can marry two nice Jewish boys, or, if they happen to be lesbians, they can buy sperm online from California! Buying Dad is a hilarious, edgy, first--person chronicle of a year in the life... read more
"Hilarious . . . uncompromising."-The New York Times "Searing."-Publishers Weekly "Nyswaner nails the memoir form . . . lush in content."-Entertainment Weekly In the years immediately following his Academy Award nomination for Philadelphia, screenwriter Ron Ny... read more
Drawing upon conversations with addicts as well as experts in the gay community and at drug treatment centers, journalist Frank Sanello examines how crystal-meth abuse is reaching epidemic levels among gay men, and how almost one-third of the new cases of HIV ... read more
Vampire Vow (Vampires Book 1)

Michael Schiefelbein

Victor Decimus was once a ruthless officer in the Roman Legion—but all his power couldn’t make Jesus of Nazareth love him the way he wanted to be loved. Seeking solace and escape, he finds release with a seer who is something more than human. Turned into a vam... read more
World-renowned authorities on lesbian sexuality explain it all for you. This remarkable volume showcases the best writing on lesbian sex and desire in the 20-year history of On Our Backs magazine. Illustrated with stunning photographs by Phyllis Christopher, M... read more
Grin, giggle, and guffaw your way through this celebrated cartoonist's graphic commentary of contemporary lesbian life.
Becoming America's top singer on a nationally televised contest takes more than talent, drive and really good cheekbones when the stakes include true love.Songwriter Adam Holt is in trouble. First, his star client, teen pop sensation Christie Squires dumps him... read more
The Appalachian Trail stretches from Georgia to Maine, a grueling 2,000-mile journey marked by white blazes that doggedly lead to the summit of every mountain in its path. For hikers, it represents a pilgrimage to the very heart of outdoor culture. For Kelly W... read more
"I like to tell Liz that I'm her dark side," says Christine, the narrator of critically acclaimed author Lucy Jane Bledsoe's newest novel. And Christine and her sister, Liz, are indeed opposites. Liz, married to her high school sweetheart Mark, has an outwardl... read more
Crashing America

Katia Noyes

Katia Noyes’ award-nominated debut, now published as eBook, is about the search for connection in a fractured nation. For 17-year-old runaway Girl, the streets of San Francisco are home. After her best friend dies, she escapes the city for the heartland, in se... read more
Revised and updated edition of the book to accompany the major motion picture directed by Thomas Carter and starring Jim Caviezel, Alexander Ludwig, Laura Dern, and Clancy Brown.This insider’s account of the greatest winning streak in sports history brings to ... read more
On a zoo sleepover, Ivan Zelinka gets mixed up with a couple of semi-mad scientists who inject his leg with top-secret gorilla serum. Soon the muscles on his right leg are bulging and his skin is covered with thick black hair. Most high school students would b... read more
A modern classic, Shang Yun-Xiang Style Xingyiquan is essential for Xingyiquan practitioners and a useful guide for any practitioner of the Chinese martial arts. While focusing on Shang-style Xingyiquan (derived from author Li Wen-Bin's training under Grandmas... read more
After finding out Heath (the Lukos leader ) was his uncle, Alejandro couldn't imagine anything worst than that. Until the love of his life (Francesca) is kidnapped by the lunatic. Now, Alejandro has no other choice but to face his father's past demons as he co... read more
Lose weight, boost your immunity, cleanse your blood and organs, and live longer and happier with this comprehensive five-part approach created by leading nutrition and raw food authority David Wolfe. In Longevity Now, Wolfe exposes the number-one cause of all... read more
Husband and wife Kittisaro and Thanissara take turns coauthoring chapters in this deeply personal dharma book exploring the inner practice of meditation in support of awakening. Within the context of the lives of the authors, both monastics in their youth, awa... read more
Journey to the Heart of Aikido presents the teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei, one of the few remaining direct students of Morihei Ueshiba, the legendary founder of Aikido. After a lifetime of practice and teaching in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Ann... read more
Designed for beginning as well as experienced tarot readers, Holistic Tarot offers a fresh and easy-to-follow approach to the use of the tarot deck for tapping into subconscious knowledge and creativity. The tarot deck has been used as a divination tool for mo... read more
While we are more and more familiar with popular ideas of enlightenment and spiritual awakening, life still comes at us full force, and hope can turn to frustration as the gulf between our spiritual belief and our everyday life seems to loom ever larger. Throu... read more
Learn how to improve your immunity and boost your health with the power of green smoothie recipes!Green Smoothies for Beginners provides a complete introduction to the amazing health benefits of nutritious green smoothie recipes, with easy tips for creating yo... read more
Evolving Dharma is the definitive guide to the meditation revolution. Fearless, unorthodox, and irreverent scholar and activist Jay Michaelson shows how meditation and mindfulness have moved from ashrams and self-help groups to classrooms and hospitals, and of... read more
This handbook to spirituality gathers together Danish meditation teacher Jes Bertelsen's advice on training the mind through wordless prayer and meditation to realize the essence of consciousness. Bertelsen has been teaching philosophy and meditation since the... read more
Are you concerned that your son is constantly bombarded with false information that real boys must always be strong, aggressive, tough, and repress their feelings? What can parents do when their son is exposed to graphic, violent images of what a man is suppos... read more
If you’re a highly sensitive person (HSP), you’re in good company. HSP’s make up some 20 percent of the population, individuals like you who both enjoy and wrestle with a finely tuned nervous system. You often sense things that others ignore such as strong sme... read more
From the director of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) comes a new collection of accounts by openly gay and lesbian teachers who tell about their struggles and victories as they have put their own careers on the line to fight for justice.Kev... read more
Does your son tend to be disturbed by loud noises, violence, and crowds, fearful of new situations, easily hurt by criticism, or hesitant about playing aggressive games? Your son may be one of the 20 percent of all boys with a finely tuned nervous system. Our ... read more
Written in a smart, funny, and friendly tone, The Approximate Parent: Discovering the Strategies That Work with Your Teenager helps you translate what your teen thinks, feels, and does to give you practical ways of supporting your teen, from adolescence into a... read more
Full is the true, poignant story of one woman’s spiritual journey as she recovers from anorexia, eases the emotional pain of her hunger through yoga and Buddhism, and finally becomes full. In this inspiring and captivating memoir, Kimber Simpkins captures vivi... read more
Throwing light on the mysterious phenomenon of crop circles within the context of modern psychological reality, Crop Circles, Jung, and the Reemergence of the Archetypal Feminine in an engaging look at the science, history, and symbolic nature of the mystery o... read more
The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook provides a practical guide to ayahuasca use, aiding seekers in making right—and safe—decisions about where to go, who to drink with, and what to expect. Ayahuasca, the Amazonian psychoactive plant brew, has become vastly popu... read more
After quitting his dead-end job to work freelance as a psychic investigator, Los Angeles-based Mason faces skepticism from his boyfriend, his friends, and even his first client. But using his psychic tools of lucid dreaming and psychometry, along with raids on... read more
Follow the fantastic odyssey of one woman as she explores shamanic realms, encountering spirit animals and other teachers who answer her deepest questions and provide her with life-changing guidance and healing. Widowed, childless, and alone, 60-year-old Ema b... read more
Entheogens and the Development of Culture makes the radical proposition that mind-altering substances have played a major part not only in cultural development but also in human brain development. Researchers suggest that we have purposely enhanced receptor si... read more
Writer, editor, and avid outdoorswoman Becky Lomax offers an insider’s perspective on Glacier National Park, where she once worked shredding lettuce in the kitchen so she could hike the park's nearly 300 miles of park trails during her free time. From hiking t... read more
Clay's Way

Blair Mastbaum

For Sam, coming of age in Hawaii, the most isolated landmass on earth, is almost impossible. He is 15, sensitive, cool, cute, blue-haired, a skateboarder, precocious, funny, horny, honest, and gay. He’s not interested in surfing, but he’s passionate about punk... read more

Teja has 41 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Martin L.

Martin L.

Feb, 2024

Kind and competent professional who understood my book project. After a detailed editorial assessment I tasked her with (hopefully) the final round of copy-editing.
Susan R.

Susan R.

Aug, 2023

I think that Teja has done a great job--she followed my directions precisely. She edited completely, remembering details that I did not! She left all the changes up to me to accept or not--and I have not gone thru all of them yet. But I asked her not to correct my English spellings such as 'cuz' or 'thru', because i want them that way. And, as i said, she did a wonderful job! I would definitel...
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Dana R.

Dana R.

Apr, 2023

It is a pleasure to collaborate with Teja. She is prompt, cordial, and professional and a great communicator. Her work is stellar. Teja's editing of my novel was insightful, thorough, detailed, clear, and incredibly practical. It's a confidence booster going into publication with the generous contribution of such a seasoned editor. In many ways, I felt like she treated my manuscript as if it w...
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Eric B.

Eric B.

Feb, 2023

Highly insightful and professional.
T G.

T G.

Nov, 2022

I never used a service like this before and wasn't sure what to expect. Teja elevated my debut novel with get suggestions and edits. She was professional, kind, and communicative. I'll certainly be contacting her again for my next project.

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