About Me - White Rabbit Editing

Hi, I’m Stephanie—your partner in bringing extraordinary worlds to life.

For four years, I’ve been doing what I love: helping authors transform their manuscripts into polished, professional books that readers can’t put down. As a professional fiction editor for Kensington Books and a professional on Reedsy, I’ve worked on everything from swoony contemporary romances to sprawling space operas to intricate fantasy worlds.

But here’s what really drives me: I’m not just an editor—I’m a reader who lives for these stories.

I’m the person who stays up until 3 a.m. because I need to know if the fated mates finally get their HEA. I’m the one who gets genuinely upset when a magic system doesn’t follow its own rules. I notice when a character’s eye color changes between chapters, and yes, I will absolutely track whether your spaceship’s FTL travel time is consistent across your series.

That’s why I specialize in fantasy, science fiction, romantasy, and romance. These aren’t just genres I edit—they’re the stories I seek out, the worlds I want to live in, and the books I recommend to everyone I meet.

CONTACT ME

Why I Became “The Good Cop of Grammar”

Here’s what I believe: Editing should empower you, not intimidate you.

Your manuscript isn’t broken—it just needs a fresh pair of eyes and a partner who understands what you’re trying to create. I’m not here to rewrite your book in my voice or tear apart your vision. I’m here to help you make your story the absolute best version of itself while keeping your unique voice intact.

My clients call me the “Good Cop of Grammar” because I approach every project with:

Respect for your creative vision – This is your story, and you have final say on every edit
Clear, constructive feedback – I explain the “why” behind my suggestions so you can learn and grow
Genuine enthusiasm – I celebrate what’s working in your manuscript, not just what needs fixing
Partnership mindset – We’re in this together, working toward the same goal: a book you’re proud of

What I Bring to Your Manuscript

Genre Expertise Where It Matters

Romance & Romantasy: I understand pacing for slow burns vs. instalove. I know when your sexual tension needs to simmer longer and when it’s time for the payoff. I can spot when a romance arc feels rushed or when conflict feels manufactured. Whether you’re writing closed-door sweetness or explicit steam, I’ll help you nail the emotional beats that make readers swoon.

Fantasy: I track magic system consistency like it’s my job (because it is). I’ll catch when your world-building rules contradict themselves, when your character suddenly has powers they shouldn’t, or when your timeline doesn’t add up. I love a good found family dynamic, a well-earned redemption arc, and prophecies that actually pay off.

Science Fiction: I’ll keep your FTL travel times consistent, make sure your tech capabilities don’t change without reason, and help you balance hard science with compelling storytelling. I understand the difference between space opera and military sci-fi, and I know what readers expect from each subgenre.

Series Work: If you’re writing a trilogy, saga, or ongoing series, I’m your continuity guardian. I’ll track every detail across multiple books so your readers never catch an inconsistency you missed.

But I Welcome All Fiction Authors

While I specialize in these genres, I’ve worked with authors across the fiction spectrum—literary fiction, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, and more. If you’re writing fiction and need meticulous copyediting or proofreading, I’d love to work with you. My expertise in genre fiction means I bring the same attention to pacing, character consistency, and reader experience to every project I take on.

Background & Credentials

Professional Experience

Current Work:

Editor for Kensington Books (major traditional publisher)
Recently onboarded for editing for Macmillan and Hachette (Big Five Publishers)
Professional Editor on Reedsy (vetted marketplace for publishing professionals)
Freelance editor for independent authors across multiple genres

Past Experience:

Course Development for Romance Writers of America (created self-editing curriculum for romance authors)
Acquisitions Internship at Future House Books (fiction publisher specializing in sci-fi and fantasy)
Editorial work at Our National Conversation (startup media company)
Nonprofit editing for Meals on Wheels

Education & Training

Specialized Editing Credentials:

Specialized Certificate in Copyediting — University of California, San Diego Division of Extended Studies
Copyediting Fiction course — Editorial Freelancers Association
Line Editing for Fiction course — Editorial Freelancers Association
Editing Science Fiction and Fantasy course — Editorial Freelancers Association
Copyediting Non-fiction for Businesses course — Editorial Freelancers Association

Academic Background:

Bachelor’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude — University of Georgia
Ten years of research paper writing and editing experience

Professional Memberships:

Member of Editorial Freelancers Association
Member of Romance Writers of America

My Unexpected Journey to Editing

Before I became a full-time editor, I worked in something completely different: Horticulture.

At the University of Georgia, I was a Teaching and Research Assistant conducting plant research trials, publishing scientific papers, and helping develop college-level courses. I spent my days in greenhouses and research fields, obsessing over data accuracy, experimental design, and clear scientific communication.

That analytical, detail-focused background? It turned out to be perfect training for editing.

Scientific research taught me:

Attention to detail – When a single misplaced decimal can ruin an experiment, you learn to catch every error
Systems thinking – Understanding how all the pieces fit together (perfect for tracking magic systems and world-building)
Clear communication – Making complex information accessible (just like explaining editorial decisions)
Patience and precision – The same care I gave to research trials, I now give to manuscripts

But here’s the thing: while I was analyzing plant growth patterns by day, I was devouring fantasy novels and space operas by night. Those stories were my escape, my joy, my passion.

Eventually, I realized I wanted to spend my days working with the stories I loved, not just reading them in my free time. So I made the leap from science to editing—and I’ve never looked back.

Now I get to combine my analytical precision with my love of storytelling, helping authors create the kinds of books I can’t wait to read.

How I Work

My editorial reference library—always within arm’s reach

My Editing Philosophy

1. Your Voice, Polished I don’t impose a house style or try to make every book sound the same. Your voice is what makes your story unique, and my job is to enhance it, not erase it.

2. Consistency Is Key Whether it’s character details, world-building rules, or timeline tracking, I’m meticulous about catching inconsistencies that pull readers out of the story.

3. Genre Savvy I understand the conventions and expectations of your genre. I know what romance readers want from an HEA, what fantasy fans expect from a magic system, and what sci-fi readers demand from world-building logic.

4. Transparent Communication From the initial quote to the final delivery, I keep you informed every step of the way. You’ll always know what to expect and when to expect it.

5. Growth Mindset My goal isn’t just to fix your current manuscript—it’s to help you become a stronger writer. I explain my editorial decisions so you can apply what you learn to future projects.

Tools & References I Use

I stay current with industry standards and use professional tools to deliver high-quality work:

Software:

Microsoft Word Track Changes (for copyediting)
Adobe Acrobat (for proofreading formatted documents)

Style Guides:

Chicago Manual of Style (fiction industry standard)
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
New Oxford Style Manual
Garner’s Modern American Usage
The Copyeditor’s Handbook

Plus a full library of grammar references and fiction craft books

Languages: I work with manuscripts in American, British, Canadian, and Australian English.

Beyond the Manuscripts

When I’m not editing, you’ll find me:

Reading (obviously)—always with at least three books going at once
Gardening (old habits from my horticulture days)
Advocating for the Oxford comma and the em dash
Geeking out over well-crafted magic systems
Recommending books to anyone who will listen

I run White Rabbit Editing from my home office, which means I can offer personalized, flexible service without the overhead of a big agency. You’re not just another manuscript in a queue—you’re a partner in bringing an extraordinary story to life.

Let’s Work Together

Whether you’re writing a tender romance, an epic fantasy saga, a thrilling space opera, or anything in between, I’d love to help you polish your manuscript to professional perfection.

Ready to get started?