Hello, I’m Melanie and developmental editing was a surprise pandemic career choice. Prior to becoming an editor, I spent almost 20 years owning and operating a personal assistance company that specialized in administration. With a deep desire to help others and my type A thought processes, unwinding and tackling complex paperwork was a good match.
I was binge reading and plowing through author’s backlists long before I’d ever heard the terms. As a child I combed the public library shelves for every Amelia Bedelia, Ramona Quimby and Babysitters Club book. That is, until I came upon my mom’s not quite smutty Harlequins around age 11. Since then, I’ve been hooked on romance.
When the pandemic started, I discovered Kindle Unlimited and while I still love hanging out at my public library, there’s no turning back. Starting in March 2020, I got through 333 books that first year. My Kindle has me at 377 books for 2021. On Valentine’s Day 2022, I started a secret bookstagram to support indie authors with my hopefully persuasive positive book reviews. By that fall, I was in business. It began with beta reads and soon evolved into developmental editing.
My specialty is all types of romance fiction. From contemporary to rom-com to dark romance, historical to fantasy and everything in between. I love to get lost in just about any story.
The biggest fulfilment comes from helping authors be as confident as they can in the stories they share with the world. Every manuscript is unique and carefully considered as such. I rely on intuition, a deep familiarity with the romance genre and an ability to communicate thoughtful editing suggestions to strengthen your story.
Every stage of your creative process is as important to me as it is to you.
Whether you’re an experienced author with dozens of books under your belt or a new author with characters living rent-free in your head for years and finally ready to bring them to life, I’m here to support and cheer you on.
Being a developmental editor is the most rewarding creative outlet that I never knew I needed. This is a dream job that’s been 40 years in the making but when “the one” finally arrives, it was worth the wait!
