Hi there,
I'm Deb. I’ve been a developmental book editor for seven years and worked in acquisitions for two years. I love to champion the authors I work with by guiding them to fulfill every book’s greatest potential. You can find some of my proudest projects listed below. Running with Cannibals by Robert W. Smith won the 2022 CIBA Hemingway Book Award for wartime fiction.
I’m a storyteller at heart with a background in an array of mediums. I studied theatre and creative writing at Indiana University and attended the Wellspring House Writing Residency. Playwriting, memoir, fiction, and poetry all influence my editorial style, which is driven by curiosity and focused on effective language. My job as an editor isn’t just to ask and decipher why, but to help authors figure out how within their books, without being prescriptive.
I work with traditional publishers, independent presses, literary agencies, and authors directly. My goal is to guide writers through their stories and turn grit into gold.
I love to edit historical fiction, general and literary fiction, memoir, and fantasy in its many subgenres! Let’s work together on your next project.
Books I Adore
From Your Fellow Writers
“I am so happy with how the manuscript has turned out. So far you are the best editor I have worked with and who I feel, actually understands not only the genre but the characters and their motivations.”
— L.C. Conn; Realm of Dragons
“Your perception of my idea is near telepathic.”
— Robert Smith; Running with Cannibals
“I read your editorial letter and I agree with all of your notes.
You really seem to understand everything better than anyone.”
— Noel Plaugher; Lady Dragon of Chinatown
Let’s talk,
Whether you are slaying dragons, unearthing forgotten history, or exploring the human condition, I would love to have your project on my editing schedule. Please include a synopsis, word count, and any deadlines. Let’s get to the gritty!