Theodora Bryant
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Romance Novels, Detective & Crime, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thrillers, Espionage & Suspense
THEODORA BRYANT has been editing professionally since 1994, ten of those with her fiction-only, award-winning publishing company.
She has been a member of the Book Editing Associates network since 2001.
During that time her authors have garnered “Book of the Year” in science fiction, and “Finalist” and “Winner” awards in romance and mystery works. Her authors often receive outstanding reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly.
She’s reviewed, evaluated, and edited thousands of manuscripts through the years; her work has received the highest marks from her authors for the amount of extra effort she puts into helping them achieve the best results with crafting and perfecting their novels.
Combining that with her many years studying the world Amazon/Amazon Kindle created for authors, how to make sure her authors know how to get on the “Top 100 Paid on Kindle,” and her knowledge of how agents and editors work in the traditional market, makes her one of the best “edges” you can have for success.
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That hoodoo you do
I once had an author who wrote a delightful book about the pitfalls of working with voodoo. He sent me a question after we’d finished his book: “How do you do that hoodoo you do?” I had no real answer for him and don’t to this day.
Editing is as much a gift as writing is. You can do it or you can’t. Most editing-minded people can train themselves to fix commas, semicolons, and sentence structure, but the hoodoo in knowing what a story needs to make it right, to make it whole, to make it sensible. That hoodoo can’t be explained.
It helps that I’ve edited hundreds of published manuscripts. Still, that doesn’t make the hoodoo explainable; it just makes it great for you, the writer, since you’re going to be the beneficiary of all that ability when you hire me.
Amazon #1 International Best Seller
Kirkus Reviews: “. . . Brimming with well-defined details and characters; augmented by bountiful enthusiasm and spirit.”
“Theodora is an awesome editor who doesn’t pull her punches when she sees something wrong (I hired her after sending a sample with the intent of seeing whether she’d call me out or kiss up) but she also knows when a light touch is best.
“On the story consult level, one of the iconic scenes readers mention most often came about because Theodora made me realize an element needed to be made clear to the reader. She sparked this moment of inspiration, so, she’s one part editor and one part muse.”
—L. James Rice
Author Eve of Snows, Sundering the Gods. NORDIC MYTH AND LEGEND FANTASY
Self-publishing
E-publishing is here to stay. Getting your manuscript edited is even more important than before because, though getting the book “on the shelf” is easier, the sheer mass of competition means that using every single edge you have is critical. A well-written and edited book is at the top of that list.
The writer-editor partnership
I work with my authors as partners, and I expect the same in return. I don’t know any other way to work this relationship, because the creative process is, as I said above, unexplainable, and spontaneous. Each author brings a different skill set, view, level of experience, and personality to it. I have to be ready (and am) to do the fast switch-up to work with all of your individual needs and unique personalities.
Developmental Editing & Content Editing
I have to tell you, though, I’m certainly not just an advisor; I’m a hands-on kind of editor. I love to get into the words, and I’m not shy about it. Content editing means slashing, cutting, rearranging, and adding—sometimes. Big rewrites are your job; I just do some of the little stuff. We’ll settle into a rhythm that works for us, you’ll see.
Testimonials
Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw
October 2021
“Theodora Bryant from Book Editing Associates was the best developmental editor I could have asked for. She could always understand what I was thinking but struggling to put down on paper. Her guidance on writing and plot structure was invaluable, always urging me to put a bit more into the story, making it richer and deeper.”
—D. A. Mucci Author, Ignatius and the Swords of Nostaw
Amazon #1 Best Seller
Featured on Good Morning America
“A beautiful read.” — Robin Roberts
Independent Press Award 2022 – Distinguished Favorite
“I don’t know where I’d be if Theodora hadn’t forced me to cut a very funny but not at all useful storyline about a forced marriage between my main character and a bear, but it wouldn’t be where I am now.”
—JCM Berne
Author, Wistful Ascending, ACTION/HUMOR/SCIENCE FICTION
“I had a lot of concerns with my novel particularly because it has many storylines running (seemingly) independent of each other and I blended a number of different genres. My first conversation with Theodora Bryant eased those concerns. She showed great enthusiasm for the challenge and put my mind at ease. She also isn’t a “yes” editor. If she feels something isn’t working, she sticks to her guns and explains in detail her reasoning and gives alternatives that may work.
“Theodora’s experience also shines through when discussing the reader’s expectations. She knows what a reader is likely to want, what will turn them off, but also recognizes when something new works. As I begin on my follow-up novel, Theodora’s guidance from this work will stick with me and help me navigate long before she gets that “first final” draft in her inbox.”
—Silas Ritter
Author, Variables, HORROR/SCIENCE FICTION/THRILLER
“My heartfelt thanks to my developmental editor, Theodora Bryant. She provided invaluable insight for improving the story arc, demanded the characters and world of Shadow Storm be given rich, fully envisioned back stories, and never let up on the details, details, details. As I told her several times, she always went above and beyond what I expected.”
—David K Hall
Author, Shadow Storm, EPIC FANTASY
“Theodora Bryant has an uncanny knack for making a story better. She finds ways to improve dialogue, fine tune the plot, and develop characters better. She was an invaluable asset to me in writing Coffee, Kisses, and Bullets.”
—David K. Hall
Author, Coffee, Kisses, and Bullets.
“My writing career would have ended if I hadn’t found you, Theodora; I would have stopped. And you’ve been my greatest fan all along, which helped me more than you know. Thank you.”
—Karen S. Gordon
Author, Gold & Courage Series, MYSTERY/THRILLER
Killer Deal (Gold & Courage Series Book 2)
January, 2020
★ ★ Double Finalist—IAN BOOK OF THE YEAR Awards in the Mystery and Thriller Suspense categories.
“Gordon’s satisfying thriller is unique in many respects, notably its vibrant setting and the unconventional nature of the characters. As secrets are brought to light, the author offers moments of breathtaking action.”—The BookLife Prize
“A ripped-from-the-headlines legal thriller that John Grisham fans will love. Highly recommended.”—BestThrillers.com
” . . . a fast-paced thriller . . . an intriguing look at the hunger for power, the ego of control, the persistence of greed, and two unlikely heroes whom we can cheer for . . .”— BookTrib
Mutiny Girl (Gold & Courage Series Book 1)
January, 2019
★ ★ Double Finalist—IAN BOOK OF THE YEAR Awards in the Suspense and Action Adventure categories.
“An outstanding debut thriller that has it all: misdirection, intrigue, murder, and family. Captivating and engrossing.”—The BookLife Prize
“A taut, thrilling drama told exceptionally well.”—Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author
“An engagingly written series starter with a bounty of plot twists and Miami vices.”—Kirkus Reviews
Amazon Ranking 6/24/21:
Express Intent (Gold & Courage Series Book 3)
August, 2020
“The Bottom Line: “Fast-paced, evocative and urgent from the get-go, Express Intent is the best Gold and Courage series book yet.”— Bestthrillers.com
Sick Money (Gold & Courage Series Book 4)
February 2021
“The Bottom Line: A heart-pounding, adrenaline-spiking medical thriller that takes the series into new territory. Highly recommended.” — Bestthrillers.com
Wretched: 2019 RWA RITA® Finalist, Paranormal Romance
Don’t Let Me Forget You 2016 RWA Prism Finalist
The Last Marine:, 6 awards, including:
RWA Maggie Finalist Award
RWA Holt Finalist Award
Reviewer’s Choice Finalist Award
The Beacon: 6 awards, including:
RWA Maggie Award
Winner, NERFA, the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award
“Theodora always went over and above what I expected of an editor. I couldn’t have achieved all the above without Theodora Bryant’s skilled editing.”
—Cara Crescent
Award winning author, PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Amazon Science Fiction Book of the Year
“All of this started with you, Theodora. You are the reason I stuck with this and learned what I needed to learn. I never would have won Amazon Book of the Year if you hadn’t taught me how this is done. Whenever anyone asks how I got started, your name is always first to come up.”
—Jay J. Falconer
Author — Linkage, Incursion, Redfall, SCIENCE FICTION
“Theodora is not the only editor with whom I’ve worked, just the best. Not only did she do a fantastic job of making my books better, she put in the extra work to help me understand how to be a better writer.
“I honestly cannot say enough good things about Theodora. She is a professional who told me what I needed to know, not what I thought I needed to know. She is a patient and capable teacher who knows as much about handling writers as she does about making a decent story into a compelling novel. Without her, the Munchkinverse would still be a dream.”
—Don Malott Jr., PhD
Author — The Munchkin Series (three books and counting!)
“Thank you for your careful and helpful edits and for pushing me to make things better; I really appreciate it and lately have realized just how lucky I was to connect with you.”
—Helen Starbuck , MYSTERY SUSPENSE
The Mad Hatter’s SonCIPA/EVVY award for 1st Place in Audio Books
Winner 2018 National Indie Excellence Awards for Mystery
No Pity in Death“Romance, suspense, and a fat syringe full of medical intrigue. A wild ride!”
–Mark Stevens, author of the Allison Coil Mystery Series
The Burden of Hate“A Thriller that offers a master class in suspense”
-Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2019
“After a first look at the first draft of Beneath the Surface Tension, Theodora recommended I get the whole tamale for editing: structural, creative, developmental, and macro-grammar-tense-viewpoint. And she delivered! She was patient, yet honest with the work. She went what I felt was above and beyond with walking me through the actual post-writing process of getting the book on Kindle and CreateSpace, and even chipped in with advice on the cover design and website! I will definitely use Theodora for the next book in this series.”
—Dietrich Biemiller
Author Beneath the Surface Tension, SCIENCE FICTION
“I’ve worked with Theodora for almost 10 years, since I first started my medieval mystery series involving a 13th century amateur sleuth, Stephen Attebrook. She has been invaluable in spotting plot holes and foolish mistakes that have gone a long way to making that series, and other books I have published, notably the Lone Star Rising books, successes, and well received by readers. Her helpful attention will no doubt help your books find grateful readers, too. “
—Jay Vail
Manuscript evaluations for nine years. HISTORICAL MYSTERIES AND ALTERNATE REALITY HISTORIES.
“Theodora was extremely thorough, precise, and tough, but just what my book and I needed. She found all the rough spots that didn’t make sense to anyone but me, and made them the best they could be. She found all the parts that were brilliant to everyone—including me—wink, wink, and made them shine. At its core, the very act of working through the manuscript with Theodora, line-by-line, and explaining the work, made the story all that much better.”
—Spencer Wolf
Author After Mind, FUTURISTIC/PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE FICTION
“I’m very glad that I chose Theodora Bryant. From the get go, she was engaged, even prior to our contract. That, plus her advice and work ethic (not to mention years of experience in copy-editing), all turned my manuscript from a draft into one worthy of submission to any agency or publishing house. In all, I’m well-pleased with the outcome.”
—Daniel Lewis
Author Acheron Falls, ROMANTIC SCIENCE FICTION
“My book could not have been published without Theodora Bryant’s professional help and advice. I had a good story to tell but even the best story is useless without the guidance and diligence of a good editor. Theodora is certainly this and more; bringing to the table not only her skill as an editor with her wide experience of the literary field but also her perception as to how a good story should be tailored. She tempers it all with a fine sense of humor. She continues to prod me gently toward being a better writer. For this I am very grateful.”
—James Boschert
Author The Assassins of Alamut, Knight Assassin, HISTORICAL ACTION ADVENTURE ROMANCE, Knight Assassin, HISTORICAL ACTION ADVENTURE ROMANCE
“When I started the writing of my first book, I realized I needed an editor who would have the patience and experience to deal with a first-time writer. Theodora Bryant was definitely the person I was looking for, for not only did she masterfully edit the book, she also displayed the necessary patience with the ignorance that I displayed in the writing of tall tales. I wouldn’t have completed all three books without her.”
—Marko Moschos
Author WINSOME DESTINY, ROMANTIC FANTASY, and The Medallion, CHRISTIAN FANTASY
“Theodora’s guidance really helped me tighten my writing. Her attention to detail amazes me and she catches the smallest issues that I had overlooked. My writing is always strengthened by her edits and advice. ”
—Ryan Gannaway [Writing as Kildare]
Author Dreamwander, Vol. One of In the Ruins of Eden,. LITERARY FANTASY, The Tragedy of Beauty, NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE/COMING OF AGE
“Theodora is an amazing editor to work with. From the start of my collaboration with her, it was clear that my success as a writer was her primary goal. When she suggested revisions, it was equally clear she understood my characters and story. She also provided me with a copy of How to Market on Amazon Kindle, which she had put together herself for all the writers she provides editing for. I don’t think it would’ve been possible to get my book published the way I wanted it without her expertise.”
—Damian Myron
Author Dig Down, MYSTERY THRILLER
“I can’t say enough good things about Theodora Bryant. She did an outstanding job pinpointing problem areas without disrupting the voice of the manuscript. She also did a remarkable job of challenging me as a writer with a non-confrontational demeanor. She is a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend her services to anyone interested in polishing quality work.”
—Nelson Mantle [Writing as N. Lawrence Mann]
Author Full Breach, PARANORMAL MYSTERY, Coma Dreams, SUSPENSE
“I went into the editing process determined that it be a learning experience that would help me become a better novelist and to say I learned a lot from Theodora would be a gross understatement. In picking her, I didn’t want a ‘yes’ person, but instead an editor who would push me to write better and make the book, Big Mother 40, better. I got that from Theodora.”
—Marc Liebman
Author Big Mother 40, VIETNAM MILITARY ACTION
“Theodora has been a consummate professional. Her hard work has been detailed, responsive, helpful – just what I needed. Her personality makes her a dream to work with. I could not have asked for better editing help.
I enthusiastically recommend her.”
—Don Preston
Author Right on Schedule, , PARANORMAL SUSPENSE/HUMOR
“As a first-time author, finding a trustworthy, honest-about-your-work, excellent editor is a daunting prospect. Well, if you are lucky enough to come across the name Theodora Bryant, you need look no further. The changes Theodora suggested made this a solid, fluid, and exciting book to read. If in the future it is up to me, I won’t be using anyone else.”
—J. F. Salmon
Author The Ice Scream Man, PARANORMAL HORROR
