Vanessa Wells

Vanessa Wells – Editor

I've edited everything from Tom Clancy books to award-shortlisted thrillers to debut novels by authors publishing independently.

Overview

I've enjoyed warm collaboration with new and seasoned writers in historical, speculative, and general fiction for 12 years. No red-pen attitude here! I've worked for indie authors and publishers, and no matter the client, my aim is always to prevent embarrassment: I've got your back!

I’ve met the stringent requisites to become an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP, formerly SfEP), perhaps the highest-regarded editing association globally. I’ve also spoken at several international conferences on editing.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Christian Fiction Dystopian Historical Fiction Historical Romance Post-Apocalyptic Technothriller
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2014 — Present
I worked for a few years on a magazine before going full-time with my own business. Most of my work has been with a Big 5 publisher, where they call me their resident polyglot!

Portfolio

Net Force: Threat Point (Net Force Series, 3)

Preisler, Jerome

Hanover Square Press

Copy Editing
Net Force: Attack Protocol (Net Force Series, 2)

Preisler, Jerome

Hanover Square Press

Copy Editing
Net Force: Moving Target (Net Force Series, 4)

Preisler, Jerome

Hanover Square Press

Copy Editing
Sky View: Descending

Eggers, Devon R.

D. Eggers Enterprises Ltd.

Copy Editing
Sky View

Eggers, Devon R.

D. Eggers Enterprises Ltd.

Proofreading
Death is a Many-Splendored Thing

Belle, William Quincy

BG Ltd.

Proofreading
Metrofloat New York

Belle, William Quincy

BG Ltd.

Copy Editing
Boy Moscow: Cold War Exploits and Adventures

Scarrott, Kevin Paul

Independently published

Copy Editing Indexing
Why Was Rachel Murdered?

Prentice, Bill

Echo Road

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Vesta Shadows Trilogy

Macleod, Debra May

Copy Editing

Vanessa has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Mir B.

Mir B.

Nov, 2025

Vanessa greatly improved my manuscript. Professional and awesome in every aspect. A great experience. A great editor. And a great person.
Vanessa W.
Thank you, Mir--the feeling is mutual. Despite being an accomplished and established author already, your openness to collaboration was a boon to my role. I can't wait to read and edit another of y...
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Saskia G.

Saskia G.

Oct, 2025

Vanessa has been great. Not only did she finish my project quicker than expected, she also provided an extremely comprehensive copyedit. She also answered all the various questions I had once the copyedit came back. She offered suggestions and solutions throughout the manuscript. Vanessa also se...
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Vanessa W.
Hi Saskia--thanks for the very kind words. While I don't expect authors to use my changes-accepted file, writers do tend to appreciate seeing it as a first look at the edit so they can (a) see that...
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Kathryn L.

Kathryn L.

Oct, 2025

This collaboration was exceptional. Vanessa offered honest, direct advice that saved my entire manuscript. The manuscript had actually already been edited, but I intuitively felt (it was literally haunting me!) that the text still needed her professional touch. And sure enough: Vanessa found mist...
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Vanessa W.
Thank you, Kathryn. It's gratifying to get feedback like this in the age of so many authors feeling that AI can do the job for them for free. Much appreciated!
Barbara B.

Barbara B.

Oct, 2025

Vanessa is a 5-star editor! She proofed and copy edited my 200,000 word manuscript with a scrupulous eye, providng excellent tips and encouragement along the way. Would absolutely work with heer again!
Vanessa W.
Thank, you, Barbara, for your kind words. Your manuscript was outstanding, but best of all your professionalism and investment in the editing process made collaborating with you an absolute joy. I ...
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Joao R.

Joao R.

Aug, 2025

Vanessa was fantastic to work with! She delivered my proofreading project on time, with meticulous attention to detail, while still respecting my style and voice. Her feedback was clear, constructive, and easy to implement. I’m grateful for her professionalism and highly recommend her to any auth...
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Vanessa W.
Thanks, Joao! I loved editing your book, and working with you was a dream. Fingers crossed I can edit the rest of your trilogy! Vanessa

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