What I Offer Clients

I work with both companies and individuals, in the following ways:

Developmental book editing, specializing in nonfiction

As a developmental book editor, I help authors conceptualize, organize, and develop their manuscripts. Here are four recent examples.

I assisted author Irene Masiello in reorganizing and rewriting her account of how her elderly parents were exploited by their caregivers. This involved developing a new chapter structure for the book, streamlining the narrative by trimming excess material, and creating a more direct and readable story line


I helped author Tom Jacobs rework the structure and direction of his book on teen crime to take a fresh and more effective approach. The book shifted from a narrative account of individual crimes to an interactive format that involved the reader in evaluating and judging each case. They Broke the Law—You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime (Free Spirit Publishing, 2004) was a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist and won awards from the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association.

I adapted a personal development book for adults into a completely new version for young adults. I distilled and reorganized the most important points from the adult book, edited and rewrote them in a style and format appealing to teens, and added additional material based on interviews and other sources.


On another book project, I collaborated with nationally recognized experts on conflict resolution to develop an anthology of teen stories on cliques, conflict, and peer pressure. I selected and edited the personal essays for the anthology, and was lead writer in creating an accompanying teacher's guide.

Ghostwriting

I offer ghostwriting in both fiction and nonfiction. Recent ghostwriting projects include:

  • A mother’s memoir about her son’s substance abuse and eventual suicide.

  • A Muslim woman’s memoir about experiencing religious and racial intolerance while growing up in Australia.

  • A combined memoir and self-help book on cognitive behavioral therapy by  a psychologist.

  • A step-by-step guide to stress release by a life skills coach.

General book editing

I help authors tighten and correct manuscripts. This involves editing for grammar, punctuation, and style, as well as for clarity of organization and presentation. I am familiar with Chicago, APA, and MLA style.

Writing and editing website content

I help organizations and individuals design and develop website content. I assisted the Fund for Social Change, the Academy for Educational Development, and Youth Communication/New York in reorganizing and rewriting their websites. I assisted the American College of Education in developing their online curricula for graduate students.

Writing and editing print publications

I research, write, and edit annual reports, business articles, marketing letters, brochures, press releases, newsletters, resumes, academic papers, book proposals, query letters, and feature articles.  

My Book Projects

 

Ghostwriter/Developmental Editor, Success for Teens: Your Slight Edge in Life, by The Success Foundation, 2008.

Copy Editor, Failed God: Fractured Myth in a Fragile World, by John A. Rush, North Atlantic Books, 2008.

Developmental Editor, Out With It: Gay and Straight Teens Write About Homosexuality, Youth Communication, 2008.

Copy Editor, Liu Bin’s Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang, by Zhang Jie, North Atlantic Books, 2008.



Copy Editor, Displacements and Transformations in Caribbean Cultures, edited by Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert and Ivette Romero-Cesareo, University Press of Florida, 2008.

Copy Editor, Hispanic Voices, a special issue of New Mango Season: Journal of Caribbean Women’s Writing, Goldsmiths College, University of London, 2008.

 

Ghostwriter/Developmental Editor, Paradise Costs: A Victim’s Daughter Fights Back Against Elder Abuse, by Irene Masiello, Infinity Publishing, 2007.

Ghostwriter/Developmental Editor, Crafting Solutions: A Personal Journey, A Powerful Tool, by Marion Arom, Ph.D., a combined memoir and self-help book on cognitive behavioral therapy, 2007.

Developmental Editor, Literacy Skill Development for Students with Special Needs, National Professional Resources, 2007.


Developmental Editor, Partners in Healing: A Guide to Working with Traumatized Youth, Partnership for After-School Education/Mt. Sinai Adolescent Health Center, 2007.

Developmental Editor, The Courage to Be Yourself: True Stories by Teens About Cliques, Conflicts, and Overcoming Peer Pressure, Free Spirit Publishing, 2005.

 

Author, A Leader’s Guide to The Courage to Be Yourself, Free Spirit Publishing, 2005.

 

Developmental Editor, A Leader’s Guide to The Kids’ Guide to Working Out Conflicts by Naomi Drew, M.A., Free Spirit Publishing, 2004.


Developmental Editor, They Broke the Law—You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime, by Thomas Jacobs, J.D., Free Spirit Publishing, 2003. 


Developmental Editor, Fighting the Monster: Teens Write About Confronting Emotional Challenges and Getting Help, Youth Communication, 2003. Foreword by Dr. Francine Cournos.

 





Developmental Editor, In The System and In The Life: A Guide to the Gay Experience in Foster Care, Youth Communication, 2002. Foreword by Dr. Gerald P. Mallon.

Developmental Editor, The Struggle to Be Strong: True Stories by Teens About Overcoming Tough Times, Free Spirit Publishing, 2000. Foreword by Veronica Chambers.

Author, A Leader’s Guide to The Struggle to Be Strong: How to Foster Resilience in Teens, Free Spirit Publishing, 2000. Foreword by Karen Pittman.

Developmental Editor, Things Get Hectic: Teens Write About the Violence That Surrounds Them, Simon & Schuster, 1998. Foreword by Geoffrey Canada.

Developmental Editor, The Heart Knows Something Different: Teenage Voices from the Foster Care System, Persea Books, 1996. Foreword by Jonathan Kozol.

Awards

The books and magazines I've edited have received numerous awards:

The Courage to Be Yourself, Free Spirit Publishing

  • Selected by Working Assets as a featured book in its Recommended Reading program.

  • ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist.

Fighting the Monster, Youth Communication

  • 2005 Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers (Young Adult, Specialized Audience).

The Heart Knows Something Different, Persea Books

  • A New York Public Library Books for the Teenage Selection, 1996.

Represent (Foster Care Youth United)

  • Honorable Mention, 1996 Anna Quindlen Award for Excellence in Journalism in Behalf of Children and Families, Child Welfare League of America.

  • Special Citation for Meritorious Journalism, 1995 Casey Medal Awards, Casey Journalism Center for Children and Families.

The Struggle to Be Strong, Free Spirit Publishing.

  • Outstanding Achievement in Parenting Materials, the Parent's Guide to Children's Media.

  • ALA/YALSA "Quick Pick" (From the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association. This award is given to recommended books appropriate for reluctant young adult readers.)

  • Parent Council Selection.

  • Parent's Choice Award.

  • A New York Public Library Books for the Teenage Selection, 2000.

They Broke the Law--You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime, Free Spirit Publishing.

  • ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Finalist.

  • ALA/YALSA "Quick Pick"

  • ALA/YALSA "Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults"

Comments and Reviews

Here are selected comments and reviews about my work.

The Heart Knows Something Different

"Readers will feel the shock of recognition that accompanies the first discovery of literary brilliance coming from a social context in which most of us...would not ordinarily expect to find it...[L]onging, terror, honesty, and eloquence combine to seize the reader's heart and mind."

                                 Jonathan Kozol, author
                                 Savage Inequalities and Amazing Grace

"These are wise and eloquent authors who can teach us much about caring for 'system' children and all children."

                                                               Marian Wright Edelman, president
                                                               Children's Defense Fund

The Struggle to Be Strong

"Moving...Teens's own words stress the importance of resilience."

                                   Marian Wright Edelman, president
                                   Children's Defense Fund

"This slim but mighty volume is a beacon of hope and good sense for young people."

                                                               Martin E.P. Seligman, author
                                                               Learned Optimism and The Optimistic Child

"Steeped in the science of resiliency, this fine work offers practical strategies for helping teens beat the odds. I recommend it highly."

                                                               Peter L. Benson, Ph.D.
                                                               Search Institute

Things Get Hectic: Teens Write About the Violence That Surrounds Them

"An intensely moving collection by young people who have lived through violence and tell their stories with enormous sensitivity and unsparing candor."

                                  Jonathan Kozol, author
                                  Savage Inequalities and Amazing Grace

"A startling series of testimonials about urban violence...a book more eloquent than a thousand police reports...Unheard voices crying for a hearing."

                                                               Kirkus Reviews

They Broke the Law--You Be the Judge: True Cases of Teen Crime

"An excellent introduction to how juvenile justice works...a great resource for classroom and group discussions."

                                                               Booklist

"A refreshing and completely unique resource, and a great tool for teaching about guilt and mercy."

                                                               Youthworker

"An unusual and thought-provoking treatment."

                                                               School Library Journal