Writers & Editors

Michael Anderson

MICHAEL ANDERSON helps authors write and publish nonfiction books.  He helps people with stories to tell create books that further their professional careers.  To get your thoughts into print, he offers a full range of publishing services:

• Ghostwriting (from notes, partial manuscripts, & dialogues)
• Concept Development (from rough manuscripts)
• Manuscript Rewriting & Restructuring
• Technical Illustration (diagrams, charts, drawings, & graphics)
• Digital Photography Enhancement (Photoshop expert)
• Book Layout & Design (internal text and cover design)
• Print-On-Demand Publishing Guidance
• Book Promotion & Marketing Consulting

Michael has been a professional technical and business writer for over thirty years and has written over 200 book-length documents.  In 2006, he published a book that explores forecasts for human science, spiritual culture, technology, media, economics, and governance.  In 2008, he delivered a presentation on The Impact of Advanced Media Technology to the World Future Society conference in Washington, DC. 

His educational background includes studies at Harvard University (Social Relations), Temple University (Technical Writing), and Villanova University (Computer Science), plus a wide array of seminars and continuing education courses in psychodynamics and spiritual psychology.

Read Michael's article: People DO Judge a Book by Its Cover: How Your Book Cover Design Represents You

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Sarah Anderson

SARAH ANDERSON is a freelance editor and writer, experienced in fiction and nonfiction. Her work has been called outstanding, and she was solely responsible for editing the three most successful romances published by Banbury Books and distributed by Dell. Her recent nonfiction projects include A Loving Guide to These Shifting Times and Biography of A Time Traveler: the Man behind the 2012 Phenomenon. Recent fiction projects include The Apprentice and Sisters of War. Sarah is an acknowledged contributor to The Wisdom of The Enneagram, published by Bantam. She has self-published a relationships handbook, Relationships Made Easy: How to get along with all kinds of people, and has written articles on the psychology of personality.

Clients are particularly impressed by her ability to make their text sparkle while maintaining their voice. She is flexible, personable, and highly proficient. As one client noted,

Sarah is clearly a gifted, disciplined editor. It was obvious that she took great care to preserve my voice, and not to change meaning when structure needed adjusting. Her art is subtle – at first glance, I wondered what she'd done . . . but the changes added power, conviction, and flow to my thoughts. I am so glad I found my way to Sarah!

Specialties:

• Copyediting
• Line editing
• Rewriting
• Developmental editing

Genres: women’s fiction, literary fiction, memoir, biographies, religion, new age, spirituality, inspiration, self-help, how-to

NOTE: Sarah is booking for October 2010.

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H.L. Bell

Award-winning writer and editor H. L. BELL is committed to helping other writers make their work the best it can possibly be. Intimately familiar with the thrills and insecurities of the writing process, she empathizes and works especially well with other writers. Clients have praised her as an editor with an engaging manner, a meticulous attention to detail, and a consummate skill with language.

She has edited a broad range of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction titles, including Bonnie Jo Campbell’s American Salvage, finalist for the 2009 National Book Award in fiction. Her own fiction and book reviews have appeared in Jane, Salon, The Women’s Review of Books, and the Chicago Reader.

Services

• Manuscript evaluation
• Proofreading, copyediting, developmental editing
• Ghostwriting, rewriting
• Fiction: action/adventure, children’s/young adult, crime, historical, horror, literary, mystery, romance, science fiction/fantasy
• Nonfiction: alternative health, biography, education, film and television, how-to, memoir, parenting, self-help, medical, psychology, true crime, women’s studies

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Bruce Bortz

Literary attorney and editor Bruce Bortz has a passion for the publishing business that can't be measured. He's combined thirty years of journalistic experience with 15+ years book publishing experience and now offers his services as a classic generalist, editing both fiction and nonfiction.

He wears every hat in the publishing business, trading back and forth as duty requires—From manuscript acquisitions to contract negotiations to editing to marketing. His philosophy is simple: do what you love, do what you're good at, and do lots of it.

• Manuscript Critiques
• Copyediting, proofreading, developmental editing.
• Ghostwriting
• Book proposals
• Marketing plans
• Book contracts (review and negotiation)

"I've had the privilege to work with Bruce on several writing and editorial projects. He is the master! When ghostwriting, he has a unique talent for drawing out those things from the author that make a difference to the storyline. When editing, he instinctively knows what needs to be done to the manuscript in order for it to touch its reader with the greatest impact. And he always has the long-term interest of the project in mind. He begins planning the marketing campaign the first day he is introduced to a work, including how the cover should look and how to gain the most attention from the media. I got much more than I expected from Bruce and highly recommend him as an integral member of any publishing team."—Jill Bertolet, Publisher, Tapestry Press

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Deanna Brady

DEANNA BRADY is a highly versatile freelance writer and editor with more than two decades of experience. Known as an "editor's editor," she ghostwrites, rewrites, develops, and copyedits a wide range of material, including self-help/how-to books, novels (both literary and genre fiction), creative nonfiction, biographies/memoirs, proposals, cover and query letters, articles, essays, scripts, business communications, and Web content. She has written and edited marketing and advertising copy for Fortune 500 companies and is adept at editing ESL and translated text, as well as scientific/technical material. In addition, she specializes in projects concerning spirituality, ecology, Native American Indian culture, psychology, allopathic and complementary medicine, and health, and she particularly enjoys working with& fantasy, science fiction, historical, romance, adventure, mystery, and young adult literature.

Deanna spent more than a decade as a magazine editor. She also taught at California State University for a dozen years, has written several children's textbooks, and is an award-winning author of short fiction and poetry. Her many happy clients greatly appreciate her expertise, gentle guidance, and ability to preserve their individual voices and help make their manuscripts shine.

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Beth Bruno

BETH BRUNO is a columnist, author, and book editor. Hundreds of her articles have been published in print and online, and her first book, Wild Tulips, came out in 2001 and went into a second printing in 2002. Beth's proximity to New York and her position as President of the CT Authors and Publishers Association give her unique access to literary agents and publishers in and around New York City. Several of the authors whose manuscripts she has edited have been published in the mainstream, thanks to her referrals on their behalf. Beth's editing interests are eclectic and include a delicious mix of fiction, nonfiction, young adult, and children's works.

• Developmental editing
• Writing assistance
• Fiction and nonfiction: adventure, children's books, contemporary, education, humor, memoir/biography, mystery, romance/women's fiction, historical, creative nonfiction, literary fiction

"I want to thank Beth for the spectacular job she did editing my book, which has just been published. When Beth first received the manuscript, she understood what was missing and recognized the changes needed to improve the flow, characterization, plot, etc., of my novel. She had a keen eye for small details. Beth was also always very available to discuss suggestions, and she quickly came up with alternatives to solve the problems we encountered along the way. She guided me through the particulars of my novel to the final polished product. The result: A published book." Oscar Medina

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D.J. Bruno

D.J. BRUNO works closely with authors to develop, liven, and perfect their books and articles. She provides manuscript critiques that offer extensive feedback on every aspect of a narrative, as well as ghostwriting, developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and marketing (proposal, query, and synopsis development and agent contact). 

A fiction writer herself, she was an editorial assistant and reader at Ploughshares, had her fiction published in various literary magazines, taught literature and grammar, and edited a range of material from memoir to erotica, biography, short fiction, poetry, travel writing, personal essays, and literary and commercial fiction. She specializes in film and photography, food and wine, nutrition, travel, psychology, memoir, and literary fiction.

• Copyediting, proofreading, developmental editing
• Ghostwriting
• Manuscript critiques
• Mentoring and writing instruction
• Submission materials: book proposals, query letters, synopses, agent/publisher research
• Non-fiction: marketing & business communications travel, creative nonfiction, cookbooks, psychology, diet/nutrition, health, memoir, biography, self-help, alternative medicine
• Entertainment: photography, film, art
• Poetry and screenplays

"Thanks for your flexibility, great attitude, and hard work. It was a pleasure working with you on this project." - Sarah Yezzi, Senior Technical Editor, Prentice Hall

D.J. Bruno is currently on leave and is not accepting new submissions until September 15th

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Faith Brynie

FAITH HICKMAN BRYNIE specializes in science and health, especially for children and young adults. She has a Ph.D. in science curriculum and instruction, and she is an experienced editor of science activity books, trade books for middle school and high school, and textbooks K-12. She has worked for major publishers as writer, substantive editor, developmental editor, copyeditor, and fact checker. She excels at communicating complex ideas clearly and simply.

She loves fiction, and has written three novels, all published by Geneses under a pseudonym. She has won several contests and awards for her short fiction, which has been published in such magazines as Thema, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Midnight Zoo, Aberrations, Over My Dead Body!, Haunts, and others. She critiques mainstream, science fiction, horror, and mystery manuscripts, helping authors develop their characters, plot, dialogue, voice, and style. She also does developmental editing and copyediting of fiction manuscripts.

• Editing (copyediting and developmental)
• Rewriting, ghostwriting
• Nonfiction: creative nonfiction, scholarly publications, children, juvenile, young adult
• Science, health, medicine: biology, life science, physical science, science instruction, teaching science
• Elementary education & secondary education: curriculum, instruction, textbooks, workbooks, learning assessments, testing, test writing
• Fiction: Mystery; science fiction; literary; contemporary/mainstream; detective/crime; children/juvenile/young adult

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Michael Carr

MICHAEL CARR has edited or copyedited 300+ fiction and nonfiction titles for major publishers and authors. Notable nonfiction authors include Bernard Goldberg (NY Times best-seller Arrogance), CNN anchor Lou Dobbs (Exporting America), Rev. Al Sharpton (Al on America), and CNN Crossfire host Tucker Carlson (Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites). Michael edits most fiction genres but specializes in literary and historical, crime/mystery, drama, fantasy, and science fiction.

Notable fiction authors include Brad Meltzer (#3 NY Times best-seller The Zero Game), NY Times Notable Book of the Year author Archer Mayor (The Surrogate Thief, Gatekeeper, The Second Mouse), crime grandmaster Donald Westlake (the Dortmunder series), and the fantasy master Michael Moorcock (The White Wolf’s Son).

Michael has also edited eight published volumes on world affairs and some twenty self-help books (medical, psychological, personal growth, and business) and has translated a dozen novels and other literary works from Spanish to English. 

• Substantive editing, copyediting, rewriting, ghostwriting
• Fiction and nonfiction: literary, how-to, psychology, self-help, crime fiction, adult, young adult, drama, fantasy, sci-fi, true crime, international relations, current affairs, nature and science, military history, forensic science, travel

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Virginia Clark

VIRGINIA CLARK has been an editor and proofreader of fiction and nonfiction for many years, working on more than 200 titles. She specializes in literary and popular fiction, detective/crime fiction, biography, self-help, history, music, and the visual arts, especially film. She was a staff copyeditor for Simon & Schuster in New York starting in 1989 for five years and has continued to freelance for them ever since, as well as for other presses including Algonquin; Duke University; Farrar, Straus, & Giroux; and the University of California. Fiction she has copyedited includes Richard Condon, The Emperor of America; Quinn Dalton, High-Strung; David Freeman, A Hollywood Life and It's All True; Kem Nunn, The Dogs of Winter; Kate Walbert, The Gardens of Kyoto and Our Kind; and Meg Wolitzer, Surrender, Dorothy. Detective/crime authors include Jan Burke, George C. Chesbro, Nick Gaitano, Alison Glen, Philip Harper, David Osborn, Ian Rankin, and Jan Roberts. She has copyedited autobiographies including Miles Davis, Miles; Faye Dunaway, Looking for Gatsby; Charlton Heston, In the Arena; and Neil Simon, Rewrites: A Memoir; as well as biographies such as Joseph McBride, The Catastrophe of Success: Frank Capra and McBride's Steven Spielberg. She has also worked on large collections including The Companion to 20th-Century Music, Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide, and The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. In addition, she has been proofreader/copyeditor for October Magazine since 1989, as well as for various other magazines such as for Condé Nast publications.

• Copyediting
• Proofreading
• Developmental editing
• Literary fiction, popular fiction, detective or crime fiction, true-crime, history, biography, music, film, television, visual arts, self-help, show business, humor, social science, psychology

Note: Virginia is not accepting submissions until September 2010.

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Rosanne Cornbrooks Catalano

ROSANNE CORNBROOKS CATALANO specializes in children's and young adult books, fantasy novels, and Christian/inspirational manuscripts. Prompt and professional, Rosanne works well with any author's voice, providing clarity and punch while respecting the integrity of the work.

Rosanne's love of the written word began with her passion for books, but her knowledge of punctuation, grammar, diction and style comes from a lifetime of exceptional training. A poet herself, Rosanne understands the blood, sweat and tears that go into writing.

She gives each author's work the care it deserves, drawing on her diverse life experiences and knowledge in many fields like period clothing, genetics, all aspects of theater, Celtic legends, rustic camping, the martial arts, architecture and languages (Latin, French, Anglo-Saxon, Middle English, a little Welsh and Japanese).

Add that to the marketplace savvy she learned working in publishing houses, and you have an experienced editor who can polish a manuscript and get it past that crucial first reader!

• Copyediting, developmental editing
• Children's/young adult
• Science fiction and fantasy
• Christian, inspirational

"I cannot say enough about how great working with you was. You read my work, could see my intent and did not try to comprise its integrity. Your willingness to not get in the way of the story and your professionalism helped make my book just as I had envisioned it! I would highly recommend you to anyone that has a special piece of work needing a special editor. Again, thanks!" --Cindy Pitta, Dream Catcher

NOTE: Rosanne is booking for September 2010.

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Anne Creal

ANNE CREAL is the author of eight published novels.  Her books include contemporary and historical children’s, young adult, and adult literature.

Water at the Blue Earth, young adult historical fiction (Roberts Rinehart, 1998)
A Ceiling of Stars, middle grade contemporary fiction (American Girl, 1999)
Nowhere, Now Here, middle grade contemporary fiction (American Girl, 2000)
The Magic of Ordinary Days, adult historical fiction (Viking Penguin, 2001)
Under a Stand Still Moon, young adult historical fiction (Brown Barn Books, 2005)
Call Me the Canyon, young adult historical fiction (Brown Barn Books, 2006)
Nicki, contemporary middle grade fiction (American Girl, 2007)
Thanks to Nicki, contemporary middle grade fiction (American Girl, 2008)

She has seen one of her novels made into film (for Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions) and has won numerous literary awards. She believes that even in today’s tough publishing climate, it is still possible for new writers to enter the business and succeed.  Second to writing her own novels, she loves to mentor others to help them achieve their goals.  She knows firsthand how writers benefit from the help and support of others writers and/or editors. 

Specialties

• Developmental editing, manuscript critiques/evaluations
• Fiction query letter writing/synopses

"Anne has provided expert level editing assistance to me in the writing of my manuscript.  Her ideas and creativity have been invaluable to me."  Kandi Hofmeister, author of the memoir, Held.

"Anne's insight and original input helped improve my novel and matched my expectations beautifully."  Andrea Kolub, author of The Lady in the Cape.

Writing Historical Fiction that Sells

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Esther David-Roland

ESTHER DAVID-ROLAND is a writer and editor whose experience includes writing and editing in technical and non-technical subject areas. She has worked as a journalist, writer, and editor for more than 25 years and brings her many years of experience to each project. As a freelance copyeditor, Esther has worked with major publishers, businesses, and individuals, and has worked extensively with authors whose native language is not English.

* Book editing (nonfiction)
* Developmental editing (nonfiction)
* Manuscript copyediting and proofreading
* Technical, medical, and scientific copyediting
* Website copyediting and proofreading

"Bonnie coached, edited, commented, and offered constructive suggestions.  Her ideas and comments were more helpful than those I received from colleagues. " John R. Schultz, consultant, writer, retired professor

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Karen Davis

For 35 years KAREN DAVIS has produced award-winning writing and editing, prompting one of many loyal clients to call her his "secret weapon in attaining communications supremacy." She has repaired and revitalized 500+ fiction and nonfiction manuscripts for authors, publishers, and corporations in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, London, and throughout the world. Clients value her meticulousness, intelligence, honesty, reliability, creativity, and warmth.

Karen was the editor of choice for master crime writer John Gilmore (Severed: The True Story of the Black Dahlia Murder). Several encyclopedic works she edited won American Library Association Outstanding Reference Source Awards. Nonfiction clients have included Walt Disney Company, Penn State University, the State University of New York, Comic Relief, and March of Dimes.

Karen has world-class journalism credentials from London's Times and Regional Newspapers and has written hundreds of features and articles. Her book, Santa Anita Morning Rhapsody, was the first to document mornings at a thoroughbred racetrack. Lyricist and composer, she recorded a CD, Someone Loves, that airs internationally.

Her many areas of expertise include literary works, history and historical fiction, British language and culture, drama and screenplays, children and young adults, crime and mystery, nature and the environment, science fiction, fantasy, music, poetry, romance, and travel.

• Copy Editing & proofreading
• Technical editing
• Business, marketing, and advertising writing
• Screenplays
• Journalism and reporting
• Writing instruction
• Fiction: historical, mainstream, literary
• Nonfiction: history, creative, literary, business

"You are a magician with language. The ms. reads much better now, which is amazing because it had already been revised at least thirty times and professionally edited. I've learned a great deal from you and it's been a pleasure working with someone so pleasant, extremely talented, and knowledgeable.... Now I don't think I'd want my agent to see anything you haven't seen first! Thank you for doing such a marvelous job. Don't be surprised if you get some referrals. You're brilliant."— Linda Dennis Richmond, author

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Alice Day

ALICE DAY has been an editor since 1988. After earning a graduate degree in creative writing at Brown University, she has worked at the book publishers Henry Holt and Company and Carroll & Graf Publishers. Writer Don Smith, whose awards include 19 regional Emmys, said of Alice Day, "She's the kind of editor every writer should be so lucky to have." Alice Day is an award-winning writer with four collections of poetry and a novel that have been published by nationally-recognized publishing houses. Kathleen Wakefield, whose novella won the 2008 Cleveland State University novella contest, said "that [Alice] has been an editor at a major New York publishing house gives her insight into that complicated world; that she is a poet, I believe, gives her the sensitivity to find the beauty of a writer's individual work." Alice Day has the skill and experience to focus on a writer's vision and help the writer realize it. She's a hands-on editor who's not afraid to cut words and offer insights. And she has a poet's sensitivity to language.

Alice Day's specialty is fiction editing. She has worked with numerous award-winning authors (authors who have won the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award) as well as first-time novelists. She does detailed manuscript evaluations, as well as developmental/substantive editing. She is also a skilled copy editor.

Her fiction specialties include short stories, novellas, literary fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, chick lit, thrillers, mysteries, and detective/crime novels.

"Alice is a joy to work with and someone I recommend most highly to other writers. She is a skillful, sensitive editor with excellent judgment and tremendous respect for an author's voice. Whether she's commenting on the overall arc of a story or zeroing in on a specific phrase or line of dialogue, her comments are always insightful and instructive." --Amanda Filipacchi, author of Nude Men and Vapor

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Joan Dunayer

JOAN DUNAYER has been a professional editor for more than two decades. She has edited research papers, dissertations, journal articles, magazine articles, and books on a wide range of topics, including psychology, language, literature, education, politics, and medicine.

A graduate of Princeton University, Joan has master’s degrees in psychology, English education, and English literature. She has taught writing to high school, college, and university students. At the University of Pennsylvania, Joan taught classes on preparing psychology reports in APA format. In addition to being an expert in APA style, Joan is thoroughly familiar with Chicago and MLA styles.

Joan also has written professionally. Her articles and essays have appeared in magazines, journals, textbooks, and anthologies. Most of her writing has focused on literature, language, psychology, philosophy, and politics. For example, she has written the commentaries for new editions of twenty-one literary classics.

"Joan did a very thorough review of my dissertation. Her expertise in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and, most importantly, APA formatting was invaluable to me. I would definitely use Joan again."

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Marlo Garner

MARLO GARNER is an editor, children's author, and illustrator. She has been editing children's books and teaching writing for children since the late 1990s. She is on faculty at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Continuing Education and teaches ‘Writing for Children's Books.’ Her first book for children Let's Visit Space was recently released in 2007 by Macmillan McGraw-Hill, and her second Author at Work, Dr Seuss is forthcoming. Marlo’s middle grade chapter book Ginny Giles series, is due for release mid 2009 from Clean Slate Press. She is currently writing a YA novel, a middle grade fantasy, and innumerable picture book texts (which spring forth at the most inopportune times). Marlo is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI).

Marlo believes in not only editing the work of her clients, but in teaching them to become better writers, equipping them with knowledge they will need as they continue on their journey, while keeping the integrity and unique voice of each author’s work. Marlo is passionate about all sub-genres of children's books and finds it almost impossible to choose which she prefers editing, reading, or writing. She will happily tackle texts in rhyming verse and is a wizard with a rhyming dictionary and her mental metronome.

She provides:

• Copyediting & proofreading
• Developmental/substantive editing
• Cover letters, query letters (free with contracted service)
• Correct formatting & understanding the submission process
• Critiques, writing instruction & mentorship
• Children's books: picture books, poetry, magazine submissions, chapter books, young adult, children's non-fiction.
• Literary fiction, crime, fantasy
• Illustration, illustration critiques and advice for aspiring illustrators.

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Val Gerard

VALRIE (VAL) GERARD, MA, PhD in Biology

• Science and medical editor and writer since 2001. Editing, copyediting, and writing of manuscripts, books, dissertations, grant proposals, etc. Topics range from ecology to epidemiology, from biochemistry to biomechanics, from environmental policy to paleontology, from natural products to swine nutrition. Focuses on organization, interpretation, and clear presentation of complex information.
• Past clients include professionals and students from Australia, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, Venezuela, even the U.S.! Goals are successful completion of specific writing project, and helping clients improve their own writing skills for future projects.
• Val’s own work includes more than fifty publications in ecology, botany, zoology, physiology, biochemistry, and mathematical modeling (see her publication list), and one million dollars worth of successful grant proposals.
• Over thirty years of teaching experience, including scientific writing courses. Served as advisor and/or mentor to many graduate and undergraduate students.
• Past experience as associate editor, editorial board member, and/or reviewer for over two dozen scientific journals, including Science, and government funding agencies.
  -----------------------------

• Writing and editing: life sciences
• Grant writing

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Anne Greenberg

ANNE GREENBERG was an in-house editor of children's books for 16 years at Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, specializing in fiction for readers 5-8, 8-12, and young adult. As a freelancer, she focuses on developmental editing, editing, and copyediting of adult fiction and nonfiction, in addition to children's books (but not picture books). At Pocket/S&S she edited more than 550 books (including all-new Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys titles) and worked with seasoned and first-time authors.

• Developmental/substantive editing, manuscript evaluation, copyediting.
• Young adult fiction; children’s fiction (chapter books and middle grade but not picture books); adult trade fiction and nonfiction, including self-help, how-to, diet and nutrition.

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Tim Grundmann

TIM GRUNDMANN, is an author, playwright and TV scriptwriter and story editor with 25 years of experience. His books in the Doug Chronicles series are published by Disney Press. He was part of the creative team behind Pee-wee's Playhouse on CBS (for which he wrote the show "bible"), and developed the HBO comedy Norman's Corner with Seinfeld creator Larry David. As head writer and story editor for the Disney Channel's New Mickey Mouse Club and Nickelodeon's Doug, he guided scripts from concept to final draft. He's written episodes of Allegra's Window and Welcome, Freshmen for Nickelodeon, and was developmental writer for Mowgli and His Friends and WaysideSchool for the Disney Channel and ABC-TV. As house writer for Broadcast Arts in NYC, he wrote scripts, proposals, treatments and show bibles for TV shows starring Gilbert Gottfried, Madeline Kahn and others. Recently he wrote scripts for the PC game My Scene Goes Hollywood for Vivendi Universal Games.

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Carol Hegberg

CAROL HEGBERG is an internationally published, award-winning writer and content editor. Her novel is entitled Pen Pals. Her poetry, scripts, short stories, and articles have been published in many magazines and books. Carol knows the endurance, tenacity, and patience a writer must possess to become published. Beginning writers, published authors, agents with needy clients, and publishers who need developmental editing for their writers use her services. She helps rewrite speeches, short stories or collections, articles, essays, and manuscripts. She helps develop inspirational, Christian, and picture-book manuscripts, children and young-adult fiction and nonfiction. She's available for writing help with manuscript submissions, query letters, and book proposals.

• Developmental editing, rewriting, mentoring
• Juvenile & young adult fiction/nonfiction, Christian topics

"Carol breathed life into my top-selling children's story with her wonderful way with words." Nancy S. Mure, author of Irregular Joe

Read How To Write a Non-fiction Book Proposal.

Read The Little Problems that Count in Writing.

For more information about Carol Hegberg, read her self-interview.

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Bonnie Hill

BONNIE HILL is a writer-friendly editor/mentor who has helped numerous authors break into print. She teaches workshops for Writer's Digest Online Workshops and speaks at writing conferences across the country. Her workshop members have won awards (such as the Hackney Literary Prize for fiction) and sold everything from novels to nonfiction books, essays and cowboy poetry to top publishers such as Woman's Day, Cosmopolitan, Writer's Digest, Story Line Press, Santa Monica Press, and Simon & Schuster.

Twenty-three years as an editor have failed to kill Bonnie Hill's love for the written word. When editing your work, her goal is not to change for the sake of change, but to make you sound more like *you* -- without leaving editorial fingerprints.

• Developmental, book critiques, evaluations
• Ghostwriting (nonfiction only), rewriting, mentoring
• Fiction: Thrillers, mystery, women’s fiction, literary, historical, suspense, multi-cultural
• Nonfiction: True crime, memoir, health/fitness, medical, food/cooking, prescriptive nonfiction, business, inspirational, humor, literary
• Submission materials: Book proposals and, query letters

"She is quite simply the finest editor I've ever met and/or worked with. And I don't say that lightly. She's a truly gifted editor." Cindy Wathen, editor of the award-winning nonfiction book, Remembering Cesar, and former editor for McGraw Hill and the University of California Press.

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Linda Hines

LINDA HINES critiques, rewrites, and edits novels, business manuscripts, self-help books, short stories, essays, articles, biographies, and literary fiction. She has edited over 100 fiction and non-fiction works and wrote and produced articles as managing editor of a subscription-based, B2B newsletter. She specializes in subjects such as humor, mystery, business, current events and politics, psychology, holistic healing, organic gardening, nature and the environment, weight loss, fitness, health, diet and nutrition, spirituality, alternative healing.

• Book editor, developmental critique
• Fiction: genre fiction, young adult literature, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, psychological, crime, supernatural, action, adventure, short story
• Nonfiction: business, self-help, self-improvement, how-to, memoir, personal essay, biography, alternative medicine, holistic healing, diet, nutrition, spirituality

"[F]riendly and professional. ... Any writer knows how important it is to have an editor who is approachable. Linda also displayed marvelous editing skills that enhanced my work and prepared it for the competitive publishing market. I used Linda's skills a second time, I was that impressed. It pays to have an editor who has updated knowledge about the publishing market. Most of all, I enjoyed working with Linda because she saw our partnership as a team."

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Jeff Karon

JEFF KARON is a writer, teacher, and consultant who has helped students and professionals for over twenty years. He has edited, revised, and proofread publications that include reports, theses, dissertations, textbooks, proposals, essays, stories, and articles. His Ph.D. is in English (MLA) with a specialization in Rhetoric and Composition, a choice that signals his devotion to clarity and power in language. Prior to his years as an English professor, he studied and taught philosophy, critical thinking, and logic, publishing in these fields as well as in literary studies. He also is a published poet and essayist; he was a finalist in the Sandhill Review/St. Petersburg Times 2010 essay contest.  He has led writing and editing workshops for students, teachers, business people, and artists. Currently, he is leading creativity workshops and developing ways to build honor in the classroom and workplace.

As a writer and teacher, he believes that we should strive for excellence by practicing effective and fair techniques at all times. He has combined a life-long interest in the martial arts with writing: if you choose to work with him, he will ensure that your writing is powerful, not merely competent.

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Jennifer Kennedy

Jennifer Kennedy offers nearly a decade of copyediting, proofreading, and fact-checking experience helping authors polish scholarly texts and journal articles. Her topics of expertise include science, medicine, and law. She has worked on full-length texts on medical genetics and journals such as The American Journal of Dermatopathology, Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders, and The Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. She also worked on Lippincott Williams and Wilkins' Current Opinion series, which covers a wide range of medical/science topics from cardiology to oncology. In addition to AMA style, she has also mastered APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in English/Professional Writing, then went on to law school, where she focused on copyright law. She approaches each project with the goal of keeping the author's voice and message intact while communicating as effectively as possible with the intended reader.

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Stavra Ketchmark

STAVRA KETCHMARK has edited more than 200 fiction titles while working for major publishing houses, as well as numerous medical, technical, and scientific trade, academic, and professional titles. She specializes in a variety of fiction genres, including romance, historical, mystery, suspense, crime, horror, fantasy, science fiction, and young adult. Her nonfiction specialties include all medical disciplines, nursing, allied health, alternative health, political science/politics, history, journalism, religion, parenting, and cooking.

Stavra has also helped a broad range of corporate clients fine-tune their annual reports, advertisements, websites, and other marketing materials to achieve the image they are seeking.

Her edited manuscripts have been published by Wadsworth, Mosby, Signet, Roc, NAL Trade, Thompson Delmar Learning, and Onyx.

• Developmental editing
• Line editing
• Rewriting
• Copyediting, proofreading
• Critiques
• Submission materials (query letters, synopses, cover letters)
• Fiction: romance, historical, mystery, suspense, crime, horror, fantasy, science fiction, literary
• Nonfiction: Medical, nursing, alternative health, politics, history, journalism, religion/spiritual, parenting, business, cooking

"Simply put, Stavra is a PRO! She has been editing my work for over a year and I find her professional, accurate and easy to work with. Quite frankly, I don't know what I would do without her." —John Bishop, Executive Director, Accent On Success, www.TeachingMoments.com

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John David Kudrick

John David Kudrick (MA in Journalism, Professional Writing: Fiction).
You are sitting at your computer, smiling, with an incredible sense of satisfaction in your heart. After more hours than you can count, you've finally finished your novel – a story from deep inside your soul that you want to share with the world.

But soon the questions start hitting your mind: Is it the very best that it can be? Will anyone even want to read it? Will an agent or publisher want to look at it?

With more than a decade of experience as an editor, John David understands the gamut of feelings that comes with getting your novel from your hard drive onto the shelf at your local bookstore. That's why he'd love to partner with you in getting your novel to the next level, whatever stage you may be at after you've written it …

Services:

• Manuscript Diagnostic – A big-picture look at your novel and how to take your story from good to great.
• Developmental Editing – Specific guidance and comments on how you can fine-tune your story.
• Substantive Editing – Hands-on editing help in reorganizing and revising the structure and content of your story for better readability.
• Copyediting – Line-by-line editing and polishing of your story.
• Proofreading – Making sure the smallest detail of your story gets fixed.
• Book Proposal Development – Jointly creating a compelling, well-crafted proposal.

Genre Specialties:

• Christian fiction (all genres – for both adults and young adults)
• Action / Military
• Historical Fiction
• Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
• Contemporary / Mainstream

As an editor, John David has been privileged to work with some of the best publishers of fiction in the nation, including Whitaker House (where as senior editor he worked on James Byron Huggins' Nightbringer, a book that Library Journal named one of its annual top five Christian novels), David C. Cook, NavPress, Realms Fiction, and Marcher Lord Press.

"I confess… did a lot of investigation over the Internet… from half way around the world… received a many sample edits / quotes from different editors (~12!). My choice was perfect. On a scale of 1-to10 I rate John a solid (plus) 10! First and foremost for the English… past tense-present tense… grammer —use of the em dash… POV… the whole nine yards. Perfect.And next – for him getting into the story… making very good COMMENTS and suggestions all throughout. This includes checking things on the Internet… noting that the coca cola slogan – “The Real Thing” did not come out in the time period that I mentioned it… and many other excellent comments." Michael Weiss

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Floyd Largent

FLOYD LARGENT specializes in history, natural history, anthropology and the sciences on the non-fiction front, and speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, horror, and allied fields) otherwise. He's published his own e-book on fiction marketing (100 Great Places to Sell Your Short Stories, Both On and Off the Web), and is intimately familiar with technical writing, having worked as a technical writer and editor for ten years. He's also been published in most of the popular American history magazines, including American History, America's Civil War, Old West, and True West. Mr. Largent can provide publishing assistance (especially with short stories and journal articles), content development, manuscript evaluation, and mentoring services, supplemented with advice concerning manuscript mechanics, query letters, book synopses, and proposals.

• Developmental editing
• Book proposals

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Jo-Ann Langtree

Jo-Ann Langtree writes and edits books, stories, and articles in the following fields: business, medical, insurance, health, holistic health, spirituality, religion, psychic phenomena, young-adult fiction, children's books, mystical experience, self-help, New Age, nutrition, diet, exercise, saints & masters, gurus, theosophy, Christianity, homeopathy, vitamins & minerals, herbs, and food supplements. She was a writer and editor for Aetna Life & Casualty. As editor of Life NEWS, she had sole responsibility for finding, developing, writing, editing, and proofing all articles. Topics included new products, sales campaigns, insurance-agent interviews, accolades, seminars, Company acquisitions and policies. Jo-Ann also edits personal and business sites.

• Proofreading
• Editing (Copyediting and Developmental)
• Spirituality, metaphysics, religion, theosophy, psychology, holistic health, food supplements, homeopathy, nutrition, psychic phenomena, lucid dreaming, mystical experience, self-help, saints, masters, and gurus

NOTE: Jo-Ann is not accepting submissions until October 1, 2010.

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Tom Lemons

TOM GRANT LEMONS is a successful novelist, editorial consultant, publisher, ghostwriter, and managing editor. His historical fiction has won awards and appeared on bestseller lists, and his novels have been translated and published in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Poland.

Tom is passionate about the written word, and he is eager to bring his passion and expertise to your writing project. Authors Tom has worked with include Oliver North, T.D. Jakes, Bob Hamer, Joe Moscheo, and Hamilton Gayden. The fiction and nonfiction books Tom has worked on both as developmental editor and ghostwriter have been published by major houses including Broadman & Holman, Warner Faith Publishing, Hachette/Center Street, and Greenleaf Book Group.

A skillful editor or ghostwriter can help you refine your words, create a flow that will pull readers in, and still leave the work stamped unmistakably with your unique literary voice. Tom has been able to do this for dozens of books and authors during his writing and editing career. One author told him, “It’s like you were inside my head.” Another wrote in the acknowledgments to his book, “…to Tom … who ‘got it’ immediately, and without whom this book would not have happened.”

• Developmental and substantive editing, both fiction and nonfiction;
• Line/copyediting (including scholarly/academic projects)
• Ghostwriting
• Coaching
• Manuscript critique
• Book proposal development
• Christian, historical fiction, memoir/autobiography, scholarly publications/textbooks, music, nonfiction (general)

“Tom is simply one of the finest men I've ever known and one of the best writers I've ever encountered. His combination of creativity, craftsmanship, integrity, and intelligence puts him at a level I've rarely seen.”—Gary Terashita, Executive Editor, B&H Publishing Group

“Tom is an exceptional editor. An author himself, Tom is meticulous and creative in his work as he expertly brings a writer's best ideas forward. Not only are his editorial abilities outstanding, he is also warm, patient, caring, and thus a joy to work alongside. I recommend him wholeheartedly!”—Edwina Barvosa, Associate Professor, University of California at Santa Barbara

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Herbert M. Levine

HERBERT M. LEVINE is a freelance writer and editor (nonfiction). His publications include 36 books and more than 75 articles. Subjects include: American government, state and local government, world politics, terrorism, arms control, state and local government, public administration, civil liberties, gun control, illegal drugs, chemical and biological weapons, and immigration. His articles have appeared in newspapers, magazines, journals, and reference books (including an encyclopedia). He served as a consultant for book projects on counterterrorism and evaluated and edited the work of academics and former government officials for that project.

He holds a Ph.D. in public law and government from Columbia University. He taught political science for 20 years at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He has edited numerous doctoral dissertations. He advised dissertation writers on the substance and style of their work and directed them to publishing markets. Dr. Levine is an expert in APA and Chicago writing requirements.

• Copyediting, developmental editing
• Academic and scholarly topics
• Book proposals
• Young adult nonfiction

"Herbert Levine was outstanding. His editing comments made it very clear that he spent a great amount of concentrated effort on the project, and he is clearly an exceptional scholar. He returned his comments 3 days before the deadline. I could not have asked for a better experience!" Laurie Sandefer

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Lorna Lynch

LORNA LYNCH has over twenty-five years of developmental editing experience and has worked on more than a hundred books to date. She also co-owned a monthly newspaper and wrote hundreds of articles. She has a tremendous instinct for what "works" and what doesn't in both fiction and non-fiction, and has guided numerous authors to publishing success. Her primary goal is to see that writing with some potential becomes writing with great potential, and she works closely with authors to achieve that goal.

Her area of expertise is character-driven fiction; however, she has edited books of all stripes, including political commentary, how-to books, humor, mysteries, romance novels, children's books, young adult fiction, detective novels, and psychological thrillers.

• Developmental editing
• Fiction: young adult, contemporary/mainstream, detective/crime, humor, literary fiction, mystery, romance, women’s fiction, short stories, thriller/espionage
• Nonfiction: creative nonfiction, memoir/biography, self-help/how-to, psychology, politics

"I was very happy with the job Lorna did for me. The edit was very sharp and the critique very detailed. She broke down the manuscript from top to bottom and all of her points were excellent. She not only focused on technical structure, but also the substance of the story. She pointed out many things that I would not have discovered on my own and she looked at the manuscript not only as an editor, but as a reader--which is very important. I would definitely use Lorna again as my editor." – Derek Lively, Diary of the Devil's Son

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Kelly Lynne

KELLY LYNNE is the proud “auntie” to over 20 published novels, novellas and short stories, which have sold to Kensington Publishing, Cerridwen Press, Awe-Struck Publishing, Samhain Publishing, Wings ePress, and The Wild Rose Press. These books have gone on to earn high praise from reviewers and readers, as well as multiple awards and contest wins. As an editor for The Wild Rose Press, she has edited contemporary western and light paranormal romances, with heat ratings from sweet to spicy. Her fiction fortes include sci-fi, fantasy, romance, speculative fiction, young adult, and stories of psychic or supernatural phenomena.

Empathic about the “feel” of a story, Kelly provides suggestions so that authors may revise with their own style in mind, preserving the individual voice, while alerting authors to current trends in publishable styles. Developmental fiction editing requires an emotional investment in the work—an investment of time and effort that Kelly is happy to make.

Specialties: