Every aspiring writer needs a good editor.
Every accomplished writer deserves a good editor.
I’m an enthusiastic, meticulous editor and writer with more than twenty years of experience in developmental and substantive editing, rewriting, and copyediting for magazines, trade publishers, and academic presses. I work with writers from the proposal stage through first drafts, crises of confidence, and rewrites, up until the last period or footnote is in place. I also offer expert critiquing of works in progress. Fiction, poetry, nonfiction ranging from literary criticism to cooking to true crime: I’m comfortable with just about any subject, as long as it doesn’t involve equations.
Please feel free to email me at editornancydoherty@gmail.com to discuss your needs and my rates. I’m happy to provide references.
What some of my clients have to say:
“Nancy transformed my manuscript. Before her I had an interesting, though inconsistent story. After her I had a flowing, stylish story which, because of her Midas touch, quickly sold in an auction between major publishers. Nancy is a forthright, judicious, tenacious, funny and brilliant editor. Brilliant.” –Brooke Newman, Jenniemae and James, Crown Harmony, 2010.
“Nancy came recommended to us by a renowned publishing executive. She exceeded all of our expectations. Not only was she meticulous, thoughtful and creative in her edits, she was also reliable, flexible, fully engaged and a pleasure to work with. We want to write another book just to get the chance to work with her again! ”–Drs. Amir Levine and RachelFrankel, Attached, Tarcher/Penguin, 2010.
“The best and most helpful editor of my career.” –Julius Gyula Fábos, much-honored professor emeritus of landscape architecture and author of the memoir Son of a Kulák, iUniverse Rising Star, 2010.
Nancy Doherty is an invaluable asset for any writer, whether aspiring or established. Her editing and analytical skills are superb” –Mark Seal, nonfiction author.
Nancy Doherty’s editing, in my experience, has been superb.” – Sterling Lord, literary agent for Jack Kerouac, Jimmy Breslin, Erica Jong, Gloria Naylor and countless other accomplished authors.
“Nancy Doherty, editor extraordinaire.” –Joe McGinniss Jr., author of The Delivery Man, Grove/Atlantic, 2008.
“Editor Nancy Doherty breathed insight and precision into my book. Her abilities, care, and interest greatly improved the manuscript.” –Bill Israel, professor of journalism and author of A Nation Seized: How Karl Rove and the political right stole reality, beginning with the news, Marquette Books, 2011.
“During the past 25 years, I have worked with a number of editors on the eight books that I have produced. While they were all talented and reliable Nancy Doherty stands out. Aside from her superb command of English, she has a broad, inquiring mind that both captures the writer’s intent and assures fidelity to the writer’s words. She also possesses the good judgment and tact necessary to deal successfully with writers from varied cultural and professional backgrounds.” –Lawrence Harrison, founder of the Cultural Change Institute at Tufts University and author of The Central Liberal Truth,Culture Matters, and other books on world culture.
“I want to thank Nancy Doherty, my sophisticated and sensitive editorial consultant.” – Peggy O’Brien, poet and author of Writing Lough Derg, Syracuse University Press, 2006.
“The best editor I’ve ever worked with.” –Joe McGinniss, author of The Rogue, Fatal Vision, The Selling of the President, and many other bestselling nonfiction books. (Confession: he’s my husband. True fact: I edit his books and he takes 99 percent of my suggestions.)
