Hire the Best Book Editors in Washington

Greetings, I'm Evan Rhoades! I am a professional author and editor with nearly a decade of experience helping fellow authors succeed in every area of writing. As an undergraduate, I studied, wrote, and edited every genre imaginable while earning my BA in English at Northwest University. Afterward, I spent two years studying under some of the greatest poets and fiction writers in the country, graduating from the University of Saint Thomas with an MFA in Creative Writing and a concentration in poetry. Since then, I have spent thousands of hours working as an editor for numerous authors, especially in the fantasy, science fiction, dystopian, poetry, Christian, memoir, and literary fiction genres. I’ve also had the privilege of coauthoring multiple books, which has provided me with an understanding of not only what feedback to give as an editor, but how to give it in a kind, honest, thought-provoking, and genuinely helpful fashion. Thanks to my broad experience, I excel in every part of the editing process, from copyediting to line editing to developmental work and more. My greatest aspiration is to write and edit poems and stories that re-enchant both the imagination and the soul. But perhaps more important than any of that is my editing philosophy. My goal as an editor isn't just to improve your book, but to refine your skills as a writer. This sets me apart from other editors. Enhancing your ability and confidence in editing, revising, and writing is just as important to me as completing your current story. The same can be said for my intentionality in maintaining and cultivating your authorial voice. One of my unique skills as a writer happens to be absorbing the voices of other writers, and I use this skill as an editor (along with suggesting/track changes for all my edits and comments in the margins for any questions I may have) to keep the voice, tone, and intent of your writing intact, while maximizing impact. On top of perfecting your manuscript, I’ll impart important principles specific to your genre, characters, plot, and writing style that take your work to the next level and apply far beyond the bounds of your current book. This focus on long term benefits and on maintaining and cultivating your voice as an author ensures you get the most value from me as your editor and helps develop a meaningful editor-author relationship. It’s this interactive, relational focus that brings authors back again and again for help with new projects—and to review my ever-expanding editing guide, a continuously updated and comprehensive editing resource which I provide free of charge to all my clients. Because of my focus on providing value to you as a writer rather than merely completing your project as quickly as possible, my clients are often amazed by how much they have improved as writers, especially at the developmental and line levels. Not only will your manuscript be polished to a mirror shine at every level, but you will find that your own skills as a writer have grown in leaps and bounds along with them. This transforms the editing process from rote and repetitive to exciting and invigorating! With all that said, my job is to come into your project with just as much passion as you have, and to come out with a book that amazes both you and your readers, all while ensuring you have the skills and confidence to write an even better one in the future. Writing is a long, hard journey, especially when walking alone. I want to come alongside you, acting as a guide, a partner, and a champion to ensure you reach the end of the road with a smile, a laugh, and an abiding sense of enchantment. I can’t wait to share this journey with you and bring my lifelong passion for editing to your book!

ABOUT ME I'm a highly rated, published copyeditor and line editor with decades of experience and 300+ completed manuscripts. My clients are award-winning authors, publishing companies, self-publishing writers, and corporations—including many repeat customers. You'll find I'm fast, responsive, professional, meticulous, and easy to work with. I also edit with my brain, eyes, training, expertise, and sensibility—with a focus on improving the reader's experience. Other than spellcheck at the end of the process, I don't use AI or automated programs to edit. Also, I work in MS Word, which is the gold standard for editing. GENRES I've edited a wide range of genres and types of documents, from nonfiction business books to sci-fi. But my specialties are YA fiction, fantasy, memoir, self-help, metaphysical, and relationship/family drama. SERVICES Grammar Punctuation Sentence structure Clarity Consistency Vocabulary Flow Style Continuity Fact-checking MY EXPERIENCE 123 nonfiction books 102 novels (including 10 children's'/middle grade books) 62 memoirs 62 professional exam study guides 36 essays 8 short stories Many scientific and academic research papers, blogs, white papers, manuals, brochures, and websites HOW I CHARGE I charge flat-rate fees based on word count. I'm also happy to do a free sample edit of a few pages before getting started. WHAT YOU GET Professional, thoughtful, trained, and experienced editing by a human. A native English speaker, I never miss deadlines, and I don't overcharge. You'll get personalized service, from beginning to end. I also use plug-in spell checkers for the final polish to catch little errors my eyes missed. DELIVERY CONSISTS OF Two rounds of editing before delivery (redline edits and questions/comments in the review pane) A style sheet (documenting proper nouns, style choices, and Chicago Manual of Style citations) Collaboration after delivery, with review of any new/revised copy that follows the initial edit Final ebook file for Kindle, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Google, and generic EPUB if needed, along with PDF for print-on-demand publication EDUCATION/TRAINING/AFFILIATIONS Bachelor's degree in English literature, University of Washington (magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa) Professional Certificate in Editing, University of Washington Certificate in Specialization in Developmental Editing, University of Washington Five-week memoir-writing workshop through Sarah Lawrence College School of Writing Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association and the Northwest Editors Guild (board of directors) FUN FACTS A resident of the Seattle area, I'm harvesting berries in my yard, playing pickleball, or walking my corgis when I'm not in front of a computer or a book. I'm a working mom and belong to a local writing group of women who are passionate about growing as writers and sharing their stories with the world.

I am a meticulous, natural-born editor and perfectionist with strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality. These characteristics will help me to make your Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or PDF document the best it can be and make you look good. I've edited everything from cozy mysteries to three documents for the Nigerian government, 5K, 12K, and 13K, written in legalese, and everything in between. 🔷 YOU WILL GET AN EDIT FROM A REAL LIVE PERSON. I will not simply use Scribbr or Grammarly and make the suggested edits. 🔷 WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID: "Barbara was amazing! She did such a quick and thorough turnaround. Highly recommend!" "Barbara edited my document to perfection! She was very communicative and finished the work ahead of schedule!" Recently one author said to me, “You ARE a superb editor!” because I caught a small but important error. "Barbara B. was born to edit. Her attention to detail is meticulous while going about her work in a cheerful manner, causing me to laugh quite a bit. I am indebted to her because her edits and suggestions improved my book a great deal. If you select her as your editor, which I highly recommend, you will be blessed and pleased by the results. Sister Gloriamarie A." 🔷 Using My Keen Eye For Detail, Here Is What I Would Do For You: ✔ Proofread to find errors in spelling, typing, punctuation, etc. ✔ Edit for: ♦ Grammar ♦ Tense consistency ♦ Sentence structure ♦ Cumbersome or confusing wording ♦ Inconsistencies of any kind ♦ Anything that needs to be changed to make your document clear, have superb readability and flow beautifully I can solve your editing and proofreading problems, whether you have a website, blog, email, proposal, manuscript, book, eBook, etc. I love editing. It comes naturally to me. I could do it in my sleep. Well, maybe that's an exaggeration. Grammar errors drive me crazy. When I see a mistake in anything I read, whether it’s social media, websites, emails, magazines, documents, letters, etc., I am compelled to correct it, in my mind, if not out loud. My friends call me a grammar Nazi! 🔷 LET ME ASK YOU THIS: ¿Do you know what you want to say but lack the skills to present a polished document? I can help you with that. 🔷 I WOULD START WITH THESE QUESTIONS: ♦ Who is your audience? ♦ Do you want me to proofread only, or do you want in-depth editing? ♦ Are you open to suggestions about rewording or rearranging the text? ♦ When do you want the project delivered? 🔷 IF YOU NEED MY SERVICES: Please contact me and we can talk about how I can help you.

Hello all! I am enthusiastic about all things words and I can't wait to help make your projects shine! I have experience in most genre types and a flexible schedule/strong communication skills. My Process: Windows PC, Latest Version of MS Word and track changes. I can work with PDF, Google Docs, and a few beta reading sites. As long as I have a way to comment on the manuscript, I can work with it! Reach out to me if you need help with the following : .: Story collaboration assistance and/or Beta Reading .: Quick edits (blog posts, short stories, academic papers) .: Content/dev edits .: Copyedits .: Proofreading/Galley Edits .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. I have a B of S in Arts and Letters. I was a child author for the now defunct KidPub Press, and have 9 years of professional editing experience (2000+ manuscripts); 12 years of light academic editing (APA, MLA, Chicago), and 26 years of MS Word experience. Beta Reading: 26 years of being a bookworm across almost all genres and have beta read over 2000+ books in my professional career. I have worked with various publishing houses, like Dreaming Big Publications (2016-2022), Muze Publishing, Gatekeeper Press, ProSe Press among others. I assisted on all sides of the editing process, doing galley proofs, copyediting, dev editing, and being an Editing Manager for interning editors to keep the publishing process on track. I love the entire process of working on books. I want nothing more than to help you make your book stand out on the shelf and help bring your vision to life.

Hello! Welcome to my Upwork profile. My name is Abigail, and I am a writer and trained editor. My current focus in editing encompasses magazines, textbooks, curricula, as well as both fiction and non-fiction literature. As a detail-oriented professional, I strive to highlight the best aspects of your projects. My services include copy editing, where I focus on correcting spelling, punctuation, grammar, and syntax errors. Additionally, I offer developmental editing, which can start during the brainstorming phase to help you clearly define and develop your ideas. If you already have a draft, a developmental edit at that stage will facilitate the refinement of your writing and enhance its overall style. I am open to a diverse array of projects and would welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific needs. Please feel free to reach out to me; I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you.

Editorial & Publishing Services Every manuscript is different. Some need structural work. Others need refinement, technical cleanup, or guidance through the publishing process. My role is to help you understand what your book actually needs, then provide the right level of editorial support to get it there—without wasted effort or unnecessary services. Below is an overview of the services I offer and how they typically fit together. Editorial Consulting & Book Project Management The full package from outline to manuscript to publication. This service is for authors who don’t just want edits—they want a clear plan and an experienced professional managing the process. I act as a strategic partner, helping you make decisions, set priorities, and coordinate moving parts so the project stays focused and forward-moving. Best for serious authors, thought leaders, and professionals who want clarity, momentum, and fewer costly detours. This includes: • Manuscript Evaluation / Editorial Assessment • Developmental Editing • Substantive Line Editing • Copyediting • Proofreading • Interior Design, Layout, and Formatting for all publishing platforms • Cover Consultation, Design & Creation • Accountability and milestone planning • Coordinating external editors, designers, artists, and other vendors as needed • Advising on publication paths and readiness — Manuscript Evaluation / Editorial Assessment — Get a clear, honest roadmap before committing to a full edit. This service provides a professional assessment of your manuscript’s strengths, weaknesses, and readiness for the next stage. You’ll receive targeted feedback and practical recommendations without line-by-line edits. Best for authors who want clarity on what their book needs—and what it doesn’t—before investing further time or money. — Developmental Editing — Transform your manuscript’s structure, clarity, and narrative drive. This service focuses on the big-picture elements that determine whether a book works: structure, pacing, character development, argument flow, and overall coherence. Together, we identify what’s strong, what needs some attention, and what’s getting in the way of the reader’s experience—then rebuild the manuscript so it delivers on its promise. Best for authors who know their story matters but need expert guidance to shape it into a compelling, publishable book. — Substantive Line Editing — Refine your prose so the writing carries the reader effortlessly. Line editing sharpens the language at the sentence and paragraph level while preserving your voice. The goal is not to rewrite your work, but to clarify meaning, tighten phrasing, and improve rhythm so the reader stays immersed rather than distracted. Best for manuscripts that are structurally sound but need polish, consistency, and stylistic refinement. — Copyediting — Ensure your manuscript is clean, consistent, and professionally prepared. Copyediting addresses grammar, syntax, punctuation, consistency, and adherence to style conventions. This is where technical distractions are eliminated, and the manuscript is brought up to professional standards expected by agents, publishers, and serious readers. Best for authors preparing for submission or production who want confidence that nothing technical undermines their work. — Proofreading — Catch final errors before publication—nothing more, nothing less. Proofreading is the last quality-control pass before a book goes to print or digital release. It focuses exclusively on surface-level errors that may have been introduced during revisions or formatting. Best for manuscripts that are otherwise finished and ready for publication. — Formatting & Interior Layout — Prepare your manuscript for professional print and digital release. Formatting ensures your book meets industry standards for readability and production across platforms. The focus is on a clean layout, correct spacing, technical compliance, and decorative design. Best for authors ready to publish who want their book to look as professional as it reads. — Cover Consultation & Coordination — Make sure your cover signals the right genre, tone, and audience. Rather than settling for generic or AI-assisted covers, I help you evaluate concepts, understand logistics and best practices, and avoid common market mistakes. The goal is alignment: between your book, its audience, and industry expectations. All covers are original, full-color, custom-designed, and created specifically for your book. Best for manuscripts that are otherwise finished and ready for publication. — Why work with me? Personal care. As an author myself, I understand how intimate and emotional the writing process can be. I'm sensitive to the highly personal nature of sharing your work and respect the courage and vulnerability it takes to publish your work. Tailored clarity. No two stories are alike. I approach each manuscript with fresh eyes, crafting bespoke support that respects your voice and vision