Taylor Melendy
Fiction, Fantasy
United States English (US)
About Taylor
I’m an editor with 11 years of experience and have worked on 165 books for independent authors and hybrid publishers, including MindStir Media, Manhattan Book Group, and Seacoast Press. I edit fiction and fantasy, memoir, nonfiction, and children’s books, with a special interest in projects involving mental health, social work, and criminal justice. My MSW and professional background in those areas help me approach sensitive material with care.
I offer developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading. My approach is collaborative and practical: I respect each author’s voice, explain my suggestions clearly, and focus on helping the manuscript read smoothly and hold together. I work in Word with Track Changes, comments, and a style sheet, following Chicago style while recognizing when an unconventional choice is intentional. I want authors to understand the edits and feel confident moving their book forward.
Services Prices in US dollars. Your written quote confirms the final price.
Line and copyediting
Sentence-level editing for clarity, flow, consistency, grammar, and punctuation.
- Typical project
- 80,000-word manuscript
- Time
- 4
- Revisions
- 1 round included
- Tracked changes in Word
- Comments
- A style sheet
- A clean copy
- One review of author revisions
Developmental Editing
Big-picture feedback on structure, pacing, character development, and reader experience.
- Typical project
- 80,000-word manuscript
- Time
- 8 weeks
- Revisions
- 1 round included
- In-manuscript comments
- A detailed editorial letter
- A follow-up discussion
Portfolio
Work samples
PDFSample PortfolioRead sampleClose
Experience
- Senior Editor, MindStir Media2017-2026
- Freelance Editor, Upwork2016-2025
- Lead Editor & Founder, The Last Draft Studio2026-Present
- Editor, Manhattan Book Group2020-Present
Education
Certificates and memberships
Similar professionals
EditorDawn M. BarclayVetted EditorSuspense, RomanceUnited StatesBeyond editing, as of October, 2026, I’ve written seven novels, three nonfiction books, and edited nine crime fiction anthologies. My work has won the Agatha, Macavity, Chanticleer, Maxy, and Lowell Thomas Gold Awards, and I have been a finalist for the Anthony and Silver Falchion…Manuscript assessmentCopy editingQuery letter and synopsis review+8 more30 years20+ booksView profile →
EditorTenesha L. CurtisVetted EditorFiction, Self-HelpUnited StatesI have an academic and professional background in psychotherapy for addictive diseases, and currently work full-time as the publishing manager at Get Book Help. As an indie author myself, I have real-world, first-hand experience with exactly what my clients are experiencing—no theories, no hearsay, I…Manuscript assessmentQuery letter and synopsis reviewDevelopmental editing+25 more26 years300 booksView profile →
EditorGinny RuthsVetted EditorMemoir, Narrative nonfictionUnited StatesAs a substantive, developmental, and line editor for 30+ years, I’ve collaborated with clients around the world in both fiction and nonfiction, from memoir and spirituality to fantasy and thriller to children’s picture books. Business clients include Paralyzed Veterans of America, Infinity Foundation, US Soccer,…Manuscript assessmentCopy editingQuery letter and synopsis review+15 more36 years30+ booksView profile →
EditorKerry AbermanFiction, NonfictionUnited StatesI am a full-time book editor with nine years’ experience specializing in developmental and line edits. Books I’ve edited have won numerous awards and reached New York Times best seller status. I also offer professional proofreads, manuscript evaluations, and query and synopsis packages. When I…Manuscript assessmentDevelopmental editingLine editing+13 more9 years117 booksView profile → 