Everything Editorial

Every writer needs an editor -- and your future readers deserve one.

I've worked with traditional and self-publishing houses and for private clients who have diverse goals for their manuscripts. If I'm the right editorial match for your project, you can rely on me to work independently or as closely with you as author or with publishing house staff as desired--conscientiously, efficiently, and at the desired editorial level. I meet or beat deadlines within your budget, without exception, to your satisfaction. Authors who plan to self-publish will save half or more of the fees typically charged by supported self-publishers by hiring me directly to polish their hard work to traditional publishing standards.

Clients rely on my proven editorial services to provide:

* Exceptional work ethic
* A keen eye for consistency and detail
* Genuine respect for the author’s voice
* Syntactic and stylistic expertise (CMS a specialty)
* A talent for resolving unintentional ambiguity
* Precise punctuation
* Organizational solutions

Since 1998, I've been an editorial partner at several editorial levels for 200+ books, fiction and non-fiction, including one NYT Notable Book (2000, fiction), multiple NYT bestsellers, and house bestsellers, as well as numerous featured and main selections of Equestrian's Edge Book Club, two American Horse Publications books of the year (2006, 2008) and one 2nd place AHP book (2006).

I have also edited over 70 self-published titles, including 2010 Mom's Choice Gold recipient The Smarter Preschooler, 2009 Next Generation Indie Books Awards Spiritual category finalist, Mother Mary's Resurrection, and the iUniverse bestselling novel PushBack ("A riveting techno-thriller with a compelling human drama at its core" --Kirkus PushBack Review), as well as many titles honored as Editor's Choice or Publisher's Choice selections.

Self-publishing authors can count on my broad editorial experience to support them through the process and help make their books the best they can be. Mike Mosiman, self-published co-author of the award-winning The Smarter Preschooler, says, "When Sue edits your text, your worries are over. She will deliver your book free of grammatical errors while preserving your voice and clarifying your intent." On the Acknowledgments page of his charming memoir Loose Screws (iUniverse, 2009), author Gerry Tortorelli wrote: "A big thank you to Sue Ducharme, who edited my manuscript with style and a human touch, while keeping it true to my voice."

Bill Huey, author of Carbon Man (Kindle, 2010): After a couple of false starts, I discovered Sue Ducharme on Publishers Marketplace. Not only did she straighten out a number of writing faux pas, she picked up on several potentially fatal flaws in the timing and logic of the novel. Her attention to detail and faultless delivery inspired confidence through two revisions and a final proofing. I am a very experienced writer, but I could not have been happier with the editing Sue provided.
Highly recommended.

Ruth Zekowski: Sue edited my book Spare them? No Profit. Remove Them? No Loss (iUniverse, 2010) by Chhalith Ou and R.Z. Halleson (my pen name). I'm a pretty good editor myself, but Sue found many ways to make my manuscript much better, including finding mistakes that I had missed. Her suggestions for improving the manuscript were creative but never intrusive. I was impressed with her work and would highly recommend her.

Steven D. Price, editor and author: ... copy editor [Sue Ducharme] ... is the best ... in the business with regard to horse books. I've long admired the work Sue did on books I've edited (and, for that matter, written); no wonder she's in such great demand.

Kaylea May, author Elo'esh: A novel (iUniverse, 2009): Ms. Ducharme, I just wanted to thank you personally for your work on the content edit of my manuscript. As a rookie, I found your input invaluable and have learned a great deal from it. If all goes well, I will be writing a sequel and would love to have your input on that as well. You're a gem. My sincere thanks.

Fred Emil Katz, author Our Quest for Effective Living: How We Cope in Social Space (AuthorHouse, 2009): It was a joy working with Sue Ducharme. She really listened to me and, in response, improved the flow and focus of the writing. She did not, as some editors might, try to get me to say what she thought I ought to say, but showed great sensitivity to what I was trying to say and took it from there. I am grateful to her.

Suzanne Brue, in The 8 Colors of Fitness: Sue Ducharme ... carried the book across the finish line. Her skillful proofreading and helpful editorial comments were just what were needed to prepare it for publication.

Deborah Burns, editor, Storey Books: Among Sue’s strengths is her ability to handle difficult projects and make them publishable.

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek et al., in Einstein Never Used Flashcards: ... Sue Ducharme understood what we were trying to do and gave us the freedom and feedback that facilitated its accomplishment.

Dan Kennedy, in Little People: …Sue Ducharme expertly handled the copyediting.

Thom Forbes, in Webworks: My undying gratitude to … Sue Ducharme, whose copyediting made the words read the way I wished I’d originally written them.

Margaret Richardson, in Type Graphics: The power of type in graphic design: Sue Ducharme proved to be a sensitive, sympathetic editor.

Linda Benedik, in Yoga for Equestrians: Thank you to our copyeditor, Sue Ducharme, for your keen eye and ability to draw out the essence of our ideas.

Cheryl Kimball, in What to Do When the Doctor Says It’s Endometriosis: …my appreciation to Sue Ducharme, who helped with the research and writing of several chapters. This is a woman who knows the value of deadlines. No wonder she is in demand as a freelance editor.

Author Solutions Inc. (iUniverse, AuthorHouse, Trafford), Skyhorse Publishing, Rodale, The Lyons Press, iUniverse, American Management Association (AMACOM), Storey Books

Zen Mind, Zen Horse: The Science and Spirituality
of Working with Horses, Allan Hamilton, MD. 2011, Storey.
Bellevue Diary, Giles Monif, MD. 2011, iUniverse.
The Good-Bye Man: A novel, Chad Barton, 2011, AuthorHouse.
PushBack: A novel, Alfred Wellnitz. 2010, iUniverse (bestseller).
A Modern Dog's Life, Paul McGreevy. 2010, The Experiment.
The Going Lean Fieldbook, Stephen Ruffa. 2010, AMACOM.
Elizabeth Grant: My Life, My Story, Marion Suzenne Witz & Carol Krenz. 2010, AuthorHouse.
The Tide Always Comes Back, Jean Carnahan. 2009, Skyhorse.
Whole Heart, Whole Horse, Mark Rashid. 2009, Skyhorse.
The Green Guide for Horse Owners and Riders, Heather Cook. 2009, Storey.
The 8 Colors of Fitness, Suzanne Brue. 2008, Oakledge Press.

Lyons Press, Horse Journal Guide to Equine Supplements and Nutraceuticals. Eleanor Kellon, VMD: 2008
Skyhorse Publishing, Matt Hoover's Guide to Life, Love, and Losing Weight. Matt Hoover:2008
AMACOM, Clintonomics: How Bill Clinton Reengineered the Reagan Revolution. Jack Godwin:2008
Skyhorse, Breakfast at Sally's. Richard LeMieux: 2008
The Lyons Press, Choosing the President 2008. League of Women Voters:2007
Storey Publishing, Ride the Right Horse. Yvonne Barteau:2007 (AHP 1st place, 2008)
Trafalgar Square, Yoga for Equestrians. L. Benedik & V. Wirth:2000
Delphinium Books, Modern Art. Evelyn Toynton:2000 (NYT Notable Book, fiction)

Phi Beta Kappa, Editorial Freelance Association, supported self-publishing.