Hi, I’m Maria!
A Little About Me
I’m Latina, born in Venezuela, raised in the Caribbean, and currently living in Virginia with my husband and our too-sassy-for-her-own-good dog, Bonnie.
I’m an editor and a writer, currently working on my debut novel, a contemporary romance featuring a diverse cast and set against the backdrop of a music festival.
While I’m certified to edit novels and have been doing so for six years, there’s much that I’ve learned about crafting a novel from my own experience.
So trust me when I say, I get it. I get the long hours, the early mornings, the late nights, the spontaneous ideas at three in the morning, typing like rapid-fire under the sheets into your Notes app.
I get it when you worry about wasted efforts. I get it when you look at your novel with hope but also with apprehension and wonder: Have I done enough? Is this good enough? Will my efforts suffice?
I’m here to be another set of eyes on your story, to bring you a fresh perspective, to gently take your hand and guide you as you work toward a story that you can be proud of.
And because I know you were wondering, here’s Bonnie.
Do we vibe?
Choosing an editor is about more than making sure they have the skills it takes to edit your novel. Though that part is imperative, there also needs to be a certain chemistry that will help us work together more swiftly and coherently.
Below, I’ve compiled a few facts about me that may help you decide if I’m someone you think you might vibe with.
- I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. My editorial practice is inclusive, and there is no room for bigotry or discrimination.
- I’m not the right editor for manuscripts with heavily religious themes, and I’d rather be upfront about that from the start.
- I don’t use generative AI to edit or write. If we work together, I ask that your manuscript hasn’t been generated or substantially written using generative AI. This is part of my contract.
A bit more about me
- My newsletter, Letters to a Creative Soul, is an intentional letter that I write once a month with heart-to-heart reflections drawn from my experiences as a writer and creative. It’s a food-for-thought piece to help readers find the courage they need to pursue their creative endeavours.
- I’m currently working on my first novel: a contemporary romance featuring a diverse cast and taking place at the heart of a music festival. Check out my author website for updates and essays on my author journey.
- During my early days freelancing, it was a pleasure and an honor to help USA Today best-selling author Joanne Pence develop her sweet romance series, The Donelly Cabin Inn, currently available for purchase on Amazon.*
- I’ve become a mad person about crochet. I could yarn over and pull through the loop all day. The dopamine hit doesn’t get any harder than when I make a stitch.
- I was interviewed by Edit Republic, where I talked about finding my passion for books and editing.
*Not a sponsored link.