CRAFTING THE BOOKS THAT KEEP YOU UP PAST MIDNIGHT

Helping you turn your book into the best version of your vision

Award-winning editor with nearly 20 years experience working with your favorite authors and New York’s biggest publishers. Specializing in fantasy, romance, and YA.

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“I trust my novels in Melissa’s hands.”

J E N N I F E R L. A R M E N T R O U T

#1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author

A B O U T

I am an award-winning editor of bestselling and critically acclaimed commercial fiction. I spent over a decade at Macmillan as a senior editor at Tor Books, the world's leading publisher of science fiction and fantasy, before founding my freelance editorial and consulting company in 2020. I now edit on a per-project basis with most of the largest NY publishers and directly with authors of all experience levels. I have taught writing at a variety of universities and writers' conferences, including the Highlights Foundation, SCBWI, and San Diego State University, currently serve as a mentor for We Need Diverse Books and New York's Center for Fiction, and have been a speaker at many conferences and conventions, including New York Comic Con, the American Library Association Annual Conference, Romance Writers of America Annual Conference, and the World Fantasy Convention.

I am a voracious reader and lover of books. I adore all commercial fiction, but I’m particularly known for my work in fantasy, romance, and young adult. Among the many talented authors I’ve worked with are Jennifer L. Armentrout, S.A. Barnes, Kendare Blake, Sarina Bowen, Cora Carmack, Sylvia Day, Gregg Hurwitz, C.R. Jane, Danielle L. Jensen, and Elise Kova.

I bring to the table a sense of humor, an eye for detail, in-depth knowledge of the marketplace, plenty of experience, and genuine love for the job.

I may be able to help you if…

You've been querying agents or submitting to publishers but keep getting rejections, and you can't figure out what's not working
You've finished your first manuscript and know it needs work, but you need guidance on where to start
You're planning to indie publish and want the same caliber of professional, high-level editing that the Big 5 provide
You've got a book deal and want an extra set of experienced eyes before you turn in your manuscript
You just want someone in your corner who's been through this hundreds of times and can help you navigate it

“Melissa is one of the best editors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with—and I’ve worked with many! Her editorial comments were a perfect balance of critique and praise, and her sense of humor made me look forward to going through her feedback. I’m very much looking forward to working again with her in the future.”

D A N I E L L E L. J E N S E N

#1 New York Times bestselling author

W H A T I O F F E R

Editorial Services

Editorial Assessment

A full manuscript read with a detailed editorial letter covering big-picture feedback: plot cohesion, structure, pacing, characterization, and more. You'll also receive guidance on where your project fits in the current marketplace and any challenges to expect. Tailored to your goals, whether you're querying, on submission, or preparing to indie publish.

Developmental Edit

Everything an editorial assessment covers, plus detailed comments in the margins of your manuscript. These comments expand upon the issues raised in the editorial letter, pointing out specific areas where the various notes apply, and offer practical, actionable solutions. I’ll flag areas where narrative flow or clarity could be improved, characterization deepened, scenes tightened or reorganized, and more. You'll get feedback on every level, and of course my favorite thing: reaction comments to all my favorite parts!

Consultation

Hourly phone or video calls for brainstorming, concept development, publishing questions, or an insider's perspective on traditional publishing. Ideal if you've just signed a book deal and want to know what to expect, received a Revise & Resubmit from an editor or agent and want to talk through your revision plan, are stuck on a plot point and need a sounding board, want to work together over a series of sessions to outline and plot your next novel from the ground up…the options are endless!

Custom packages available—mix and match services to fit your needs.

Please note I do not currently offer query reviews, sample edits, or edits on partials.

Publishers and production editors: I’m also an experienced, NYU-trained copyeditor and proofreader with a portfolio of well over 100 novels. I’d love to join your roster!

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