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 of 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 don’t believe in guilty pleasures—just pleasures. You'll never catch me calling a book "so bad it's good" or being a hater for fun; that’s not how I read or work. I’m far more interested in why we love things than why things are “bad.” I’m here for good stories! All of this is what has led me to editing: I’m endlessly curious about why stories catch on, why people love what they love, and what makes a book impossible to put down.

That curiosity is at the center of everything I do as an editor. I'm obsessed with what makes books work, and I use that obsession plus my expertise to help you make your book the most compelling version of itself. I have the credentials—nearly twenty years in New York publishing, a portfolio packed with #1 bestsellers and award winners, and teaching experience at universities and writers' conferences. I know the rules. But I treat them as tools, not laws. Rules can tell you what's "correct," but they can't tell you what's going to make a reader stay up until 3 a.m. turning pages. That comes from your unique voice, the things that make you excited, and the things you love. My job is to understand what you're trying to do, protect what makes your writing yours, and use everything I know to help you capture the magic of the book that’s in your head and put it on the page.

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, Sylvia Day, Kendare Blake, Danielle L. Jensen, Cora Carmack, Elise Kova, S.A. Barnes, Sarina Bowen, Gregg Hurwitz, and C.R. Jane.

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
Or you just want someone in your corner to help you turn your book into the best version of the book you imagined and bring a sense of humor and joy to the process

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“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 are a perfect balance of critique and praise, and her sense of humor makes 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 detailed editorial letter on your full manuscript covering the big picture: Are readers going to love (or hate) your characters? Are these the most exciting ways for things to happen? Did you maybe get a little too into your world-building and lose sight of the plot? You'll get honest, specific feedback on what's working, what isn't, and why, along with my take on where your book fits in today's 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, to take it from big-picture feedback to page-by-page guidance. My 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 calls for whatever you need to talk through. Some possibilities:

you've just signed a book deal and want to know what to expect
you've received a Revise & Resubmit request and want to talk through your revision plan
you're stuck on a plot point and need a sounding board
you want to work together over a series of sessions to outline and plot your next novel from the ground up

Custom packages and multi-round edits 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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