Hi, I’m Maria!
If you’re on this page, it’s probably because you’re trying to figure out if I’m the right fit for you, am I right?
That makes perfect sense. One big element in choosing an editor — a task that can be unnerving as you decide in whose hands your book baby will thrive best — is ensuring that the person you choose is on the same wavelength as you. That you vibe together. That your story will feel safe in their hands.
One thing about me is that my passion for books and anything literary is all-encompassing. I eat, sleep, and breathe books. Whether I’m reading them, editing them, or writing them, I can’t imagine existing without books or going a day without a single mention of books.
So for me, becoming an editor was like that moment when the prince finally gets to try the shoe on Cinderella’s foot and it’s a perfect fit!
I became certified in proofreading and copyediting first while trying to find my way out of a job that was a terrible fit. But my eagerness to do more for stories led me to also acquire certifications for line editing and developmental editing. All of this has been made possible for me thanks to the courses offered by Edit Republic and UCLA Extension.
I’m a dedicated editor because I care about the art that we’re creating. I care about the time, hours, and energy that go into bringing ideas to life. To me, it’s the most tangible form of magic that exists. They’re not just stories; they’re full-fledged parts of our lives. And because I fully believe that someone out there is waiting to hear yours, to connect with your vision.
I choose to do this by assisting and empowering women to find and hone their voices. I know firsthand the oppression and silencing that we’ve been through, and it is my hope that by helping women authors, I can make our collective voice just that much louder. We’re here. We exist. We have so much to tell you.
This is also why I specialize in romance and women’s fiction. It’s through these beloved fiction genres that women have been able to connect and see each other. But, while I specialize in those genres, I’m open to working with many more (thrillers, mystery, certain fantasy subgenres, etc.) because there is more than one way to tell a story and so many people out there who are curious, imaginative, and ready to step into various made-up worlds.
My philosophy is this: I have a nurturing approach to editing. I can’t speak for all editors, but for me, an editor is like a small support system. I firmly believe in showing full respect for an author’s work. I’m here to assist, support, and guide. I believe in the art of open-minded suggestion versus impositions. The final word always sits with the author. We’re not here to change you to fit a mold. We’re here to assist you so that you can be your own mold in a way that is as concise and clear as possible.
A bit more about me
- Until recently, I wrote and edited for Paperback Paris — a fun gig that I had to let go of to focus on my freelance work.
- 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 trilogy, The Donelly Cabin Inn, currently available for purchase on Amazon.*
*Not a sponsored link.
- Learn more about me in this interview I did for Edit Republic where I talk about finding my passion in books and editing!
- My current vice involves conning my husband into taking me to the bookstore where I can buy books that I’ll add to my evergrowing TBR.
- I am known to become best friends with cats and dogs. They accept me more openly and readily than my real-life friends as they have no speech and therefore no grammatical mistakes for me to compulsively correct.
