HELPING YOU TURN YOUR BOOK INTO THE BEST VERSION OF YOUR VISION

Crafting the books that keep you up past midnight

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.

GET IN TOUCH
GET IN TOUCH

“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

Close-up of a smiling young woman with long brown hair wearing a dark jacket, outdoors in a grassy area with a mountain and cloudy sky in the background.

A B O U T

Former Big Five editor with an acquiring editor’s eye, a story architect’s mind, and your ideal reader’s heart.

I am an award-winning editor of bestselling and critically acclaimed commercial fiction. Before founding my freelance editorial and consulting company in 2020, I spent over a decade at Macmillan as a senior editor at Tor Books, the world's leading publisher of science fiction and fantasy. I now edit on a per-project basis for many of the largest New York publishers and directly with authors at every stage—from debut writers about to query or indie publish their first manuscript to #1 New York Times bestsellers turning in their fifteenth.

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 just love a good story! 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 what I bring to your manuscript. With 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." They can't tell you what's going to keep a reader up until 3 a.m. That part comes from your voice, your instincts, and the things that make you excited. 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.

A display of multiple rows of books, with some book titles and authors visible, including various genres.

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 landed 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

↑ Back to top · ↓ Services

“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

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!

Get in touch

Custom packages and multi-round edits available—mix and match services to fit your needs.

I do my best work when I can immerse myself fully in a story, so I currently focus on full-manuscript editorial work. At this time, I’m not offering query reviews, sample edits, or partial manuscript evaluations.

How I edit

The strongest revisions rarely come from being told exactly what to do. They come from seeing your story more clearly.

That’s why my approach starts with asking the right questions. I can pinpoint exactly why a subplot isn't pulling its weight, why readers might disengage in act two, or why a character's arc feels earned in chapter twenty but not in chapter five. But rather than just telling you what to fix, I help you see the underlying problem clearly, so the best solution for your vision becomes obvious.

And my notes aren't just about what needs work. Some of my favorite notes to write are the ones that threaten my professional composure—when a character does something so swoonworthy I need to take a lap, when a line makes me LOL, when I can't believe you had the audacity to kill off a character I was in love with, or when your villain does something unexpectedly devastating and I simply have to tell you exactly why it works.

Whether you're querying your first manuscript, building an indie career, or turning in book fifteen to your publisher, my job is the same: to help you write the strongest, most captivating version of your story.

↑ Back to top · ↓ Books I’ve Edited

“With tons of experience and a fun, compassionate personality, Melissa is a perfect editor for authors in any stage of their career.”

C O R A C A R M A C K

New York Times bestselling author

P O R T F O L I O

A sampling of books I’ve edited

Romantasy

Cover of the romantasy book titled "A Deal with the Fey" by #1 New York Times bestselling author Elise Kova, edited by Melissa Frain, depicting a romantic scene between an elf and a human, with floral and mystical elements in the background.
Book cover for "The Bridge Kingdom" romantasy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle L. Jensen, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a woman with long flowing hair, mountains, and decorative flowers and leaves.
Book cover of romantasy 'Shadows of Sparta' by C.R. Jane, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a dark, mystical landscape with a castle in the background, surrounded by red roses and classical figures.
Book cover of romantasy titled 'Fall of Wraith' by Jennifer L. Armentrout, edited by Melissa Frain, with a black and blue fantasy illustration of a sword and feathers, set against a textured blue background.
Fantasy book cover by Alistair Reeve, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a trans couple, surrounded by magical swirls and a dark, mystical forest background, with the title 'A Spell for Heartstrings' and the subtitle 'The Rune Tithe, Book One'.
Romantasy / fantasy book cover titled "A Fate Inked in Blood" by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle L. Jensen, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring an illustrated woman with long blonde hair with intricate decorative background elements.

Young Adult

YA Paranormal Fantasy Horror book cover for 'Anna Dressed in Blood' by #1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a dark-haired woman transforming into a red house with blood splatters.
YA fantasy book cover of New York Times bestseller 'All of Us Villains' by Amanda Foody and C.L. Herman, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a dark silhouette of a person's face at the top, red hands with rings at the bottom forming a triangle.
Book cover of #1 New York Times bestseller 'Dragon Cursed' by Elise Kova, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a white dragon intertwined with a large, ornate sword, set against a fiery background.
YA Fantasy book cover of 'Dark Shores' by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle L. Jensen, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a ship, skull, anchor, compass, and a nautical motif with a blue background.
YA Fantasy book cover for Sunday Times bestseller 'Shadow Stitch' by Cari Thomas, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a crescent moon with a skull and a bird, surrounded by purple birds, butterflies, and floral designs, with a castle at the bottom.
YA Fantasy Science Fiction book cover featuring an illustration of a woman and a man with dark skin and curly hair, surrounded by a starry, cosmic background, with the title 'The Kindred' and the author's name 'Alechia Dow.' Edited by Melissa Frain

Science Fiction & Fantasy

YA fantasy book cover of 'The Darkest Star' by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a profile of a man's face with closed eyes, dark hair, and a cosmic backgrounds. A novel in the Lux series.
Dystopian romance book cover of 'Deny the Dusk' by #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle L. Jensen, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a woman with long, flowing white hair, standing against a dark, cloudy sky with a faint orange glow.
A fantasy / romantasy book cover titled 'Death's Daughter' by S.A. Barnes, edited by Melissa Frain, features a dark background with red roses, thorny vines, and skull and raven imagery.
Cover of the romantasy book titled 'Where Dreams Fall' by R.L. Caulder, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a whimsical illustration of clouds and swirling purple and blue colors.
Fantasy book cover titled 'Of Deeds Most Valiant' by Sarah K. L. Wilson, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a forest scene with two armored characters holding swords, surrounded by decorative gold and blue banners.
New Adult Fantasy book cover of 'Kingdom of Tomorrow' by New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter, edited by Melissa Frain, with floral decorations and gold accents.

Horror & Thrillers

Suspense Thriller Mystery book cover titled 'Dying to Meet You' by Sarina Bowen, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a lighthouse on the coast at sunset.
Romantic fantasy horror book cover titled "Now Comes the Mist" by Julie C. Dao, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a profile of an Asian woman with dark hair in a bun, surrounded by red roses and splashes of red paint against a dark background.
SF Horror book cover titled "Dead Silence" by S. A. Barnes, edited by Melissa Frain. The cover features a sci-fi horror theme with a red and blue ghostly spaceship and a gloved hand reaching out in the center.
Horror Book cover of 'Blood Slaves' by Markus Redmond, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a dark background with a ghostly figure holding a lantern and a cage, with the title in bold white letters.
Domestic suspense thriller book cover for 'With Regrets' by Lee Kelly, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring three formally dressed individuals in a richly decorated room with chandeliers and antique furniture.
YA horror book cover for 'The Rains' by #1 New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz, edited by Melissa Frain, depicting shadowy figures with glowing eyes, a water tower, and a dark, eerie background.

Romance

Romantasy / urban fantasy book cover of "Eve of Darkness" by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sylvia Day, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring red feathers.
LGBTQ+ Romance Book cover for "I'm Your Guy" by Sarina Bowen, edited by Melissa Frain, features an illustrated man with a beard, holding a hockey stick over his shoulder, set against a green background.
New Adult Romance Book cover for "Unbreak My Heart" by New York Times bestselling author Lorelei James, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a shirtless man embracing a woman with long hair, against a blue background.
Romance book cover of 'Good as Gold' by Sarina Bowen, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a shirtless man with long hair, dark background. In the True North series.
Romance Book cover for 'Wilde Abandon' by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ryan, edited by Melissa Frain, showing a man and woman close together at sunset, with warm tones and a romantic atmosphere.
Romantasy book cover of 'Her Wolf' by Sapir A. Englard, edited by Melissa Frain, featuring a silver wolf and blue flowers against a dark green background.

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