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Background
Before turning to full-time book editing, Ema spent over three years at literary agency Park & Fine Literary and Media; worked in the rights departments for Farrar, Straus & Giroux, Henry Holt, and Picador; and worked with the editorial team at Putnam under Penguin Books for Young Readers. Ema holds a degree in English and Political Science with a minor in Writing from McDaniel College. Her thesis for her English degree on the romanticization of depression in Young Adult Literature earned her a spot in English honor society Sigma Tau Delta.
Ema is detail oriented and asks probing questions in order to elevate authors to realize their potential. Her experience selling books into 40+ languages means that she also examines manuscripts with an eye to success in global markets. She's committed to demystifying the complex publication process.
A native of New Zealand, Ema has called six states and five countries home and has worked in Yellowstone, Zion, and Glacier National Parks. Her favorite books bring her new perspectives of life, make her feel big emotions, or keep her flipping suspenseful pages. With a special adoration for women's fiction, contemporary, and YA featuring strong characters and unique perspectives, she is a champion of the voices of both emerging and already beloved authors.
If not reading, writing, or editing, Ema is most likely watching live music or climbing a mountain. She currently resides in New York City.
Services
As a freelance book editor, Ema offers structural and substantive edits for full-length books and polishing for submission packages. Her quotes are customized based on each service and project. For an idea of how much editorial services might cost, please refer to this chart from the Editorial Freelancers Association. Ema's structural and substantive edits include a complimentary hour-long phone or video call.
Editorial Assessment: A big picture overview. Ema provides an editorial letter with feedback and suggestions on categories such as characters, plot, voice, setting, and positioning.
Developmental Edit: A line edit with in text comments providing a hands-on look at aspects such as structures within a scene, pacing, and flow of dialogue. Ema will also provide a manuscript evaluation focusing on big picture issues.
Copyedit: A review for readability and consistency. Ema edits for spelling, grammar, and usage, as well as commenting on confusing structures and flow, and noting any continuity or timeline issues.
Submission package: Ema will review your query letter with in-text comments and tracked revisions; read over your synopsis; and provide line editing and an evaluation of your first 15,000 words.
Sensitivity reads for asexuality: Ema will read a manuscript with an eye to asexual characters and themes, with materials provided to the specifications needed.
Timelines vary from project to project and she will outline this for you before you begin. Depending on her availability, start dates might be anywhere in the next 2-6 months and projects might take up to one month. If you know you will have an upcoming project for which you would like Ema's services, be in touch early!
Testimonials
"Because of her thorough, highly-detailed approach, she has very much renewed my enthusiasm for getting this novel into shape and in front of agents, giving me practical ways to make the novel better."
-Jane L.
"Super grateful to have had the privilege of working with Ema! She knows the industry and shared invaluable feedback."
-Aaliyah H.
"Ema went above and beyond in all aspects of this collaboration. Her feedback and suggestions were honest, useful, and nuanced. In addition to meeting the goals we set prior to working together, Ema went out of her way to help this project continue to develop and grow."
-Michael D.
"Ema has given me a bunch of actionable feedback that has made me think and plan my editing journey more effectively."
-Shikha V.
"Ema brings a distinct brand of kindness, humor, and curiosity to this process which made our editorial work together not only easy, but comfortable and exciting! She reminded me that revision should be exciting."
-Regan H.
"Her suggestions and edits were outstanding and constructive, elevating the manuscript to new heights without compromising the themes and tone of the story."
-Pablo G.
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