Proofreading Services

The author and editor of more than 300 books, David Aretha knows what it takes to get a book published.

David Aretha has edited and authored books for 30+ publishers, including St. Martin’s Press, HarperCollins, Lyons Press, Random House, Running Press, Warner Books, Total/Sports Illustrated, and Scholastic.

His books have generated more than $20 million in revenue and have appeared on the Today show, The Early Show, CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. His rating on Goodreads.com is 4.2, based on more than 3,000 ratings.

Ghostwriter, Book Indexer, Copy Editor, Proofreader

Ann Aubrey has 30+ years of experience as a writer and editor, including fiction, nonfiction, medical, academic, technical, and college-level textbooks.

She began a career as a technical writer: geophysics, geology, and information technology. Then transitioned into journalism, working as Associate Editor/Editor of the Catholic newspaper of San Diego and teaching fiction writing at the university level.

"James examines the symbols of language the way a biologist examines cells."

~ New York Times Review of Books

Beta readings, manuscript evaluations, proofreading, line editing, copy editing, developmental editing, query letters, book proposals.

Need some assistance with your manuscript? For twenty years I have joined forces with fiction and nonfiction writers from all over the world. I start by preparing a free sample edit of your work. I will be happy to talk with you in detail about your publishing needs.

Success in publishing results from keeping readers engaged. Unfortunately, though, many writers lose their readers. I excel at identifying precisely where in your manuscript that is likely to happen, and how to prevent it.

My education immersed me in the creative processes of the world’s great literary and pre-literate cultures. Earning my English MA, I studied the entire sweep of Western literatures, from Gilgamesh to flash fiction. For years, one of my own volumes, Derrida for Beginners, was the best-selling introduction to one of the century’s most influential voices in literary theory. I also studied under the able tutelage of Hugh Kenner, remembered best for his monumental masterpiece, The Pound Era. For my Religious Studies MA, I studied the ancient and diverse Indo-European tradition of visionary poetics illumining a broad range of literatures throughout Europe and Asia. Consequently I have edited not only novels and short stories, but nonfiction, including many books on spirituality.

Writers report that I bring to their manuscripts questions and insights that other editors never would have considered. These insights cause things to snap into focus. Writers then feel energized to proceed with new vision.

My own books have been published by William Morrow, Prentice Hall, Hosei University Press (Japan), Chongqing University Press (China), Pensamento (Brazil), Thassalia (Spain), Hans-Ulrich Möhring (Germany), and Orient Longman (India). I have also authored the most successful titles in the For Beginners series and written a volume cited by Library Journal as one of the Top Ten Business Books of the Year. My pillow book unveiling South Pacific coming-of-age customs ignited a much celebrated, nationwide slow love revolution in the zen-infused archipelago of Japan. In the realm of verse, I translated the poems of San Juan de la Cruz, illustrated by Group f/64 photographer Imogen Cunningham. I have freelanced as a script consultant for the film industry as well as an editor for Fielding University, True Pictures, Image G, and SendPoints (China).

I will be most happy to talk with you about your editing needs.

Novels, Self-Help, Memoir, Christian, Spiritual, Business

David Ferris has worked on 100+ manuscripts that have landed publishing deals.

His long track record as a ghostwriter, writer, editor, and filmmaker has given him exposure to a wide range of authors, writing styles, and genres, including novels, nonfiction works, self-help books, memoir, Christian and other spiritual writing, and business books.

With professional experience in both fiction and documentary film, as a producer, writer, and director, David is well versed in the art of cinematic storytelling and can edit or critique your screenplay.

Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, Biographies, Memoirs, Martial Arts, Technical

Jeff Karon, PhD, has written and edited over 100 books, articles, stories, poems, and doctoral dissertations across a broad range of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and business.

He is a board member, website designer, and webmaster for a literary press and a published writer and poet.

His editing specialties include general fiction, biography, memoir, literary criticism, philosophy, poetry criticism, creative writing, technical and business writing, journal articles, and scholarly books.

Barbara Kimble has worked as a writer, ghostwriter, editor, teacher, coach, corporate communication consultant and journalist, and served as Writer in Residence at Tyndale House Publishers. She has written or co-written ten books, published more than 600 articles in the Chicago Tribune, and edited approximately 200 books for various publishers and authors.

Barbara has helped dozens of writers to prepare for the publication of their books, including both those who have published with traditional publishers and those who have chosen to self-publish, including teaching a six-video writing course for a publisher.

A true wordsmith with a love for the beauty of language and the power of ideas, Barbara aims for clear and memorable writing that includes the occasional touch of humor, if appropriate. She makes what’s complicated easily understandable whether when editing a book, writing a web article, or coaching authors.

You’re sitting at your computer, smiling, feeling an incredible sense of satisfaction in your heart. After more hours than you can count, you’ve finally finished your book – a work from deep within your soul that you want to share with the world.

But then the questions start hitting your mind: Is it the very best that it can be? Will anyone even want to read it? What’s my next step? As an editor and a writer himself, John David understands the gamut of feelings that comes with getting your manuscript from your hard drive and into print. That’s why he’d love to partner with you in getting your book manuscript to the next level.

With an MA focused on fiction and over two decades of editorial/writing experience, John David has had the opportunity to serve as an editor on more than 240 published fiction/nonfiction titles and to work with authors from across the US and around the world.

Rachel Lawson is a former college literature and writing instructor who offers excellence in comprehensive copyediting, line editing, and proofreading. Her strength lies in helping the author make his/her written voice shine in a highly readable, page-turning, memorable way.

Rachel specializes in the genre of Christian and spiritual/religious manuscripts, including children's books, memoirs, devotionals, and larger theological works. Rachel’s work as a copy editor, line editor, and proofreader for three Christian publishers has now reached 30 Christian books.

She ghostwrites author bios, back cover copy of books, and author websites.

Rachel also designs and formats book interiors for print or eBook distribution.

Rachel invites all writers, but is especially interested in supporting the efforts of Christian and spiritual/religious writers, pastors and theologians, mystics, memoirists, and children’s and young adult book authors. With Rachel, you can prepare to publish your unique voice in a polished, professional manner.

Kendra Langeteig, PhD, is a book doctor/editor, writing coach, and publishing consultant
Memoir, literary fiction, personal growth/self-help, mind-body health, science and spirituality, how-to guides, developmental editing, manuscript evaluations

Books do change lives. It’s a privilege to work with the wonderful authors who contribute to positive change by sharing their wisdom and experience. More than ever, we need the fresh perspective, insights, and courage that books can inspire in us. As a “New Age” book editor, I am grateful to participate in the exciting work that is slowly but surely transforming our world.

Now in my second decade as an editor, I specialize in supporting first-time authors, including non-native English authors. Books with a powerful heartfelt message resonate with me as an editor, whether the genre is fiction, memoir, or self-help. Many of my clients are life coaches, healing practitioners, or spiritual teachers who have decided to write a book to share their stories and provide expert guidance. Publishing a book enables authors to reach a wide audience and opens the door to exciting professional opportunities. Besides providing written feedback on manuscript drafts, I offer online conferences during the revising process. I also serve as a consultant to help my clients evaluate the best publishing route for their books.

Reinventing myself as a “book doctor” in 2011 was a natural step in my career path. It marked a return to the publishing world. Before serving on the English Department faculty at Indiana University (1991-2000), I worked as an editor for a Boston publisher. From 2008-2011, I taught in the Writing Program at Fort Lewis College in Colorado. My eclectic publications include literary essays, articles in lifestyle magazines, a book on contemporary design (The New Asian Home, Gibbs Smith Publisher, 2008), and an edited collection of stories by various authors (Everyday Miracles: Moments of Healing and Transformation, Quiet Fire Press, 2016).

Ph.D. in English Literature, Indiana University
M.A. in English Literature, University of New Hampshire
B.S. in Fine Art, University of Wisconsin

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Short Stories, Anthropology

Manuscript evaluations, developmental editing

Floyd Largent edits nonfiction, novels, and short stories. His first love as a fiction editor is science fiction and fantasy for young adults and adults, especially for works in which science, characterization, mystery, and unusual cultures play an important part.

In nonfiction he specializes in anthropology, history, science, spirituality (including religious and New Age), and memoirs.

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Screenplays, Historical Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, How-To, Self-Help, Christian Fiction and Nonfiction

Kevin Miller has worked as an author, editor, publisher, educator, journalist, screenwriter, blogger, copywriter, book designer and proofreader for over 26 years. During that time, he has written, co-written, contributed to and edited over 250 published books, both fiction and non-fiction. He has also written, co-written, and/or directed and produced a dozen motion pictures, including feature film projects and documentaries. In addition, Kevin is the author of the best-selling Milligan Creek Series for middle-grade readers.

Throughout his career, Kevin has shepherded dozens of writers toward publication, including those who have gone the traditional route as well as those who have chosen to self-publish. Some of Kevin's clients include William B. Davis, the "Cigarette Smoking Man" from The X-Files; Spencer Tillman, former NFL player and lead studio analyst for College Football Today on CBS; and Doug Brode, Hollywood storyboard artist for such films as The Maze Runner, Thor, and Star Trek. Kevin has extensive experience at every stage of the publishing process, from development all the way to book and cover design and marketing.

Kevin’s areas of specialty include sci-fi and fantasy, historical fiction, literary fiction, screenplays, creative nonfiction, business writing, how-to/self-help, autobiography, and Christian fiction and non-fiction. His clients appreciate his extensive knowledge of story structure, his attention to detail, his knowledge and experience of the marketplace, and his friendly, honest approach.

Christian YA and Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, Inspirational

A professional editor for over twenty years, Gina specializes in line editing and proofreading Christian fiction and nonfiction/inspirational books for young adult and adult readers.

She has worked with smaller publishers, such as 5 Fold Media (which launched The Passion Translation) and Anaiah Press, as well as large publishing houses, including Crossroad Publishing Company and Pearson.

Gina’s passion is working closely with authors to ensure their unique voices are maintained while polishing the grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage in their manuscripts.

New York Times Bestselling and Award-Winning Book Editor

Literary Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Adult, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Erotica, Humor, New Age, Spirituality

Andrea Robinson spent over a decade as an acquiring editor at Penguin Random House, working on key titles for Knopf, Doubleday, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor Books. She edited Jennifer McMahon's NY Times bestselling novels, The Winter People, The Night Sister, and Burntown; the NY Times bestselling Veronica Mars mystery series; and the Harvard Lampoon's NY Times bestselling parody Nightlight.

Copyediting and Proofreading Services | New Author Assistance

Marie Valentine helps first-time writers prepare their manuscripts for submission to publishers or in preparation for self-publishing.

Marie has worked for small, midsized, and academic presses, and helps authors who are new to the publishing process navigate the path to selling a book. She offers query letter and submission package review, and permissions assistance, and can answer questions you have along the way. She often blogs with her self-published authors to help promote their work.

Marie passed Book Editing Associates' rigorous proofreading test, so you can trust that her edits will also clear up any typographical errors in your book. She is fluent in the Chicago Manual of Style and AP Style.

Editor of 3 New York Times Bestsellers and 3 Los Angeles Times Bestsellers

Don White is an award-winning editor with more than twenty years’  of publishing experience. Among the notable writers he’s edited are Gore Vidal, Edward Albee, E. Lynn Harris, Edmund White, and Samuel R. Delany.

He’s equally at home in fiction (literary novels, commercial fiction, mysteries) and nonfiction (memoir, biography, general nonfiction). As an editor and writer he’s freelanced for Doubleday, Penguin, Bantam, Basic Books, and Beacon, among others.

Don has been singled out for distinction by the American Library Association, Publishers Weekly, and Out Magazine. As an independent scholar he's authored three books on African American history as well as several books for gay and lesbian readers. He's also an emeritus board member of the Lambda Literary Foundation. Don lives in New York City.