Sharilyn Stachler

Are you looking for a nonfiction editor?

“An editor doesn’t just read, he reads well, and reading well is a creative, powerful act.”
~Susan Bell, “The Artful Edit”

Most people hear the word “editor” and assume I correct grammar and punctuation. I do those things, too, but copyediting takes care of so much more:

I read for consistency and clarity. Did you already use that example fifty pages previous? What you said here competes with what you said there; which would you like to emphasize? You’ve used that phrase fourteen times; let’s try these replacements. You changed Bible versions halfway through this quote; which would you like to use in this instance?

I teach while I make changes; margin notes are my hangout space. I don’t want to be autocratic with my changes. Instead, I tell you why I think the change will improve your manuscript and, often, leave a list of alternate word choices or suggested phrasing for you to work from.

I research hundreds of topics and words (along with their origins) for every manuscript. When were Band-Aids invented, and should they be capitalized? Is that the American or British spelling of the word? Who wrote those lyrics? Did you mean Confucius or Laozi?

I work to clarify the structure and coherence of the text. If we move this paragraph, does that tighten your point? What if we delete this and allow that to close your thoughts? This chapter is far longer than the others; let’s divide it into separate topics. This section needs more explanation.

I read the manuscript for tone. Is the text appropriately formal—or informal—for your intended audience? Does that joke fall flat on the page, or come across as offensive in any way? Are you using jargon that excludes some potential readers?

I ensure that documentation of sources is complete and that citations and lists of sources are formatted in an established citation style. Do you have permission to quote those lyrics? Where did you find that information? Should you be using MLA, APA, or another style?

If you’re thinking you might skip hiring editor, let me offer two cautions. First, an author can’t see the forest for the trees, so to speak; you know your work too well and an entire universe lives inside your head. I’ll let you know if you forgot to tell the reader why the dog is blue, or when the chicken crossed the road.

Second, I read simultaneously for you, the author, and for your reader, to make your writing more perfectly yours than you knew it could be.

If you’d like an editor for your nonfiction project, please email me. Let’s make your book happen!