Editor-Inactive

I was reading books before age five. I have a vivid memory of a teacher at my preschool asking us if anyone was interested in learning how to read. I thought that learning how to read would be like unlocking this secret universe that only adults had access to, and I jumped at the chance. From that moment on, I devoured anything I could get my hands on.

I carried my love for reading and writing as I grew older. I’ve worked in the publishing industry for almost a decade now and I spent a large chunk of those years working as a development editor. There is nothing I love more than to help an author polish her prose and find her voice. I am always so thrilled to watch authors I have worked with succeed in the industry.

I live in Boston with my husband and our three cats, all named after characters from the TV show LOST. When we aren’t dealing with frigid temperatures and blizzards in New England, my husband and I love to travel around the country to follow our favorite bands on their summer tours.

Books (Active Only) Edited or Co-Edited by Deb Hartwell:

Kingdom in Chains by J.W. Zulauf Tell Me You Want Forever by Amelia James Roland the Pirate Knight by J.W. Zulauf Hurlock the Warrior King by J.W. Zulauf Scarlet the Kindhearted Princess by J.W. Zulauf The Balderdash Saga – Special Edition by J.W. Zulauf The Underground Princess by J.W. Zulauf The Prince’s Plight by J.W. Zulauf The Shaman’s Salvation by J.W. Zulauf

Editor-Inactive

I love falling into a story and just going along for the ride, but I also love capturing a story and examining it like a naturalist would, trying to figure out what makes it tick and how it turned out so beautiful.

I started out editing National Geographic books, and have been editing full time for over five years now, working on all genres but specializing in science fiction and fantasy. I love my job more all the time. Being able to help storytellers bring their ideas to life and seeing them grow as artists is incredibly rewarding.

In my spare time, I like to wander through quiet forests or abandoned buildings, learn new things about the universe, and take long train rides to anywhere. You’ll never catch me out of the house without a paperback, audio book, or eBook in my bag.

My favorite authors are those who write beautifully, give me new perspectives, and stay playful even when exploring dark places. Some of my favorites are Phillip K. Dick, Kurt Vonnegut, China Miéville, Roald Dahl, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Vernor Vinge, Jonathan Lethem, and Octavia Butler.

Editor-Inactive

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved the written word. I loved having stories read to me when I was a very young child. Once I was able to read on my own I was very rarely seen without a book in my hand. I started writing my own stories when I was about four or five years old, and I never really stopped writing.

I developed my love of editing much later in life. I would edit things as I wrote, but I didn’t always realize that was what I was doing, especially not when I was young. When I was an undergraduate psychology major, I found that the part I loved most was spending hours researching in the library and writing papers. I’d examine every word once the writing was done to make sure that each paper said exactly what I wanted it to say. All my friends brought their papers to me to edit for them because they knew I enjoyed it and knew I would do a good job helping them. They didn’t always appreciate my extreme attention to detail, however.

Once I obtained my master’s degree and realized that a career in academia was not what I desired for my life, I returned to my first love—the written word. I’ve been working as a professional editor and a freelance writer ever since, and I’ve never been happier. I’ve done some online article writing. I’ve written, edited, and self-published two fiction books. I’ve also been a contest judge for the Memoir category of the Eric Hoffer Award for excellence in self-published books.

I’m thrilled to be joining in with Evolved. I love the team atmosphere and the overarching commitment to quality, two things in which I believe strongly. When I’m not reading, writing, or editing, you can find me either singing, making jewelry, or hiking through the woods with my husband and two little girls.

Books (Active Only) Edited or Co-Edited by Mishael Witty:

Darla Decker Hates to Wait by Jessica McHugh Darla Decker Takes the Cake by Jessica McHugh Darla Decker Shakes the State by Jessica McHugh Broometime Serenade by Barry Metcalf Intrigue at Sandy Point by Barry Metcalf Yours to Keep or Throw Aside by E.D. Martin

Editor-Inactive

Over the past few years, my work has appeared in OCW Magazine, Quills, Sad Mag, and Rhubarb, as well as anthologies and chapbooks. I’m currently working on my first book of poetry, a collection of short fiction, and an animated screenplay.

My bookshelf includes the works of Karen Connelly, Nick Bantock, Anita Diamant, Thomas Hardy, Hermann Hesse, Jhumpa Lahiri, Alberto Manguel, William Shakespeare, J.R.R. Tolkien… You know what? It’s endless. Let’s just say I’m a writer because I’m a reader.

I’m also a huge film buff (don’t ask me to pick favorites, you’ll be here for days) and worship the art of dance (call me an amateur dancer and a professional audience member).

My editing experience runs the gamut from newsletters, to marketing communications, to business proposals, to TV scripts, to anthologies. I’ve worked at PRISM international and OCW Magazine, where I read more general submissions and writing contest entries than I can count.

Books (Active Only) Edited or Co-Edited by Melissa Sawatsky:

Sugar & Salt by Pavarti K. Tyler Protecting Portia by Pavarti K. Tyler Dual Domination by Pavarti K. Tyler The Sugar House Novellas (Omnibus) by Pavarti K. Tyler White Chalk by P.K. Tyler