About
Book editor of romantic fiction
I’m Danielle Stockdale, and I offer manuscript critiques to authors of romance novels as well as to authors of genre fiction that contains strong romantic elements. I work with writers who plan to self-publish as well as those who are preparing to query agents and publishers.
Whether you’re dissatisfied with your work in progress or you want the input of a professional as you revise a completed manuscript, we can work together to improve your writing, preserve your reputation as an author, and entertain readers with an engaging, emotional story.
A feisty heroine...
Growing up, my classmates called me a “grammar nazi” and would often ask me sarcastically if I’d read the dictionary. In a gesture akin to flipping them the bird, I brought a dictionary along to my senior photo shoot and had my portrait taken with it. Despite their derision, who did they go to when they needed their papers proofed? Yours truly.
Who felt unfulfilled...
I didn’t immediately pursue a career in editing. I worked in a couple of book stores (Book World and Barnes & Noble) and dabbled in writing my own romances, which saw interest from agents but ultimately didn’t get picked up—probably because I didn’t have an editor look at them before querying! Oh, irony. Then I decided to start a book review blog called No Apology Book Reviews*, and before long, authors such as Jannine Gallant, Annabelle Costa, and Paullett Golden were requesting that I review their books.
Received the call to action...
But something always nagged at the back of my mind, and finally I admitted to myself that my reviews tended to be too in-depth. Sometimes it was painfully obvious that what I truly wished to do was edit. (You’ll know those reviews when you read them.) It was at that point I realized how much I wanted to be involved in the construction of a story. Critiquing the finished product was fun, but my time and effort would be better spent in the editing stages.
And embarked on an exciting journey
It took some time to prepare—taking editing courses, reading books on writing craft, and practicing analytical reading when I wrote reviews—but once I was ready, I set out on a journey that has changed my life for the better.
I hope you’ll consider being a part of my journey—and that you’ll allow me to be a part of yours.
Candid and constructive
*I’ve been reviewing books for over four years now, and I believe doing so has helped me study narrative techniques and elements of exceptional literature. If you want an idea of how my mind works when analyzing stories, I encourage you to visit my blog and browse the posts. Keep in mind, though, that my blog is not meant to act as a professional portfolio.
Reviews are subjective; when I read to review, I enjoy the work as a consumer, a fan, and I’m not much concerned with diplomacy, allowing my passion to speak for itself. As an editor, I read with a far more objective eye, which allows me to analyze your work as a professional and provide feedback that’s both candid and constructive.
Associations
- Entry-Level Member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders
- Associate Member of the American Copy Editors Society
Ongoing Professional Development
American Copy Editors Society
- Cleaning Your Copy
- Language Primer
- Clarity is Key
- The Art and Science of Editing
- Fundamentals of Editing
- Getting It Right
- Writing Online Headlines
Proofread Anywhere
- General Proofreading – Ignite
Liminal Pages
- The Visible Editor
- Developmental Editing: In Theory
- Developmental Editing: In Practice
Author-Editor Clinic
- Introduction to Developmental Editing: Book-Length Fiction and Creative Nonfiction
