Helping Indie Authors Publish: An Editor's Story of Guidance and Inclusion

Here's a little get-to-know-me post. I'll keep it relatively short, but I thought it would be a good idea of give you insight into why I have chosen the path of a freelance editor (and writer). Part of it has been circumstance, and part of it has been motivation to find purpose in my life and help others succeed.

The Shifting Tides of Publishing

The publishing world has grown incredibly over the last century. In today's industry, authors don't have to query agents or sign with big publishers in order to get their books out in the world. Self-publishing has rocketed with the help of digital platforms like Amazon, BookBaby, IngramSpark, and more. However, as a result, many genres are overpopulated, making it difficult to stand out unless you have the ingredients (and oftentimes money) to promote.

My Mission as an Editor

I began my publishing career fresh out of college, and even a little before that, and set out to make a mark on the industry. At first I thought I'd end up in New York City or some other large metropolis where publishing dominates the corporate world. However, my path took me on such a different journey. I went from Scotland to New York State, to fully remote, and finally to my own freelance editing business (*gestures to this website*).

My professional life has seen me working as a book editor for almost 15 years. I've edited everything from joke books to cat biographies to heartwarming romcoms, heart-wrenching love stories, rockstar romances, Young Adult bestsellers, and fantasy sagas. Through it all, I've met phenomenal authors. Whether they're traditionally published, repped by an agent, or independently publishing, they've all touched my life and shaped my experience as an editor on more than a professional level.

They've cultivated my mission as an editor: to provide quality, professional editing services on books that I grow to love just as much as the author does.

First and foremost: I'm a reader, and as such I treat all manuscripts with utmost respect. I know how hard it is to write a first draft, a second draft, or even a tenth draft and to set that book in front of someone who isn't you.

So to everyone who's writing or wants to write a book: Bravo. Keep going!

Helping Independent Authors Succeed

I fell into freelancing soon after I moved from Scotland back to the United States. I was doing it as a hobby mostly, and because I loved working in fiction and wanted to grow in that capacity. But after almost a decade of working full-time and freelancing when I could, fate knocked and asked me to take a leap.

I had started a website for my editorial services a while ago, but earlier in 2025, I relaunched it and invested all of my time and resources into making it resonate with clients. I tailored my brand, refined my message, and started advertising my services.

Self-publishing (or independent/indie) authors deserve a seat at the publishing table. They've worked hard to craft their novels and have meaningful worlds, characters, and stories to share with readers, just like any Big Five publisher. And that's why I want to help them succeed.

Serving Quality Editing to Clients

What authors get when they work with me is this: a seasoned book editor with extensive publishing industry experience who genuinely cares about every novel I contract. My clients are more than my business partners. They're my favorite authors too, the people I will root for through every revision and after every new release, and the writers I want everyone to add to their TBR lists.

If you or someone you know is looking for a hardworking, approachable, and enthusiastic editor to guide a book to publication, contact me today.

Thanks for reading.