Freelance Book Editor & YA Author
Stephanie Slagle
Developmental, Line Editing, and Proofreading Services for Writers
Whether you're struggling to find a literary agent, or you're looking for someone to guide you in taking your book from good to great before you publish it as an indie author, I'd love to collaborate with you as your editor. I have over twelve years of experience in the publishing industry, from reading the slush pile for literary agents to editing books for small publishing presses and bestselling authors.
I'm also the author of the EXTRACTION series (as Stephanie Diaz), a YA sci-fi trilogy published by St. Martin's Press/Macmillan, so I've been on the other side of the tracks and know what the query trenches are like. I know what agents and publishers are looking for, and I know how to develop a rock-solid plot with strong pacing and emotional payoff.
I get it. Finishing a book is hard. Turning a messy first draft into the bestseller you've envisioned, a book that will capture the hearts of thousands of readers? That's even more daunting of a task, but hiring an experienced book editor can help.
I offer developmental critiques, line/copy editing, and final proofreading for manuscripts, as well as query and synopsis critiques.
Whatever stage your book is at, I can help you take it to the next level. Science fiction, fantasy, and thrillers are my specialty, as well as Young Adult and Middle Grade novels, but I've worked on manuscripts across many genres, from historical fiction to romance to memoirs and self-help books.
My goal as an editor is to empower you with useful tools in your writing arsenal to improve all of your future stories. When it comes to line and copy editing, I'm well-versed in the rules of the Chicago Manual of Style and skilled at providing suggestions to improve sentence clarity and flow, while still keeping your unique writerly voice intact.
I'm not gonna sugarcoat it; publishing is one of the toughest businesses to break into. But I'm here to hold your hand through the process, help you strengthen your voice and craft, and be both your mentor and champion as you turn your dreams into reality. Let's chat!