Lisa Gilliam

Lisa Gilliam – Editor

Fiction editor and proofreader with experience in mystery, science fiction, fantasy, horror, paranormal, YA, thriller, romance, and more.

Overview

Hiring a fiction editor can be a little overwhelming, so my goal is to make the process of working with an editor as comfortable as possible for you.


You want someone with experience in your genre, someone who will preserve your voice and your story, and someone who is skilled and trustworthy. I can provide you with all of those things, as well as offer a learning experience that will improve your writing as your career progresses. I specialize in copyediting and proofreading. While I’m not a developmental editor, part of my service includes basic fact-checking and pointing out inconsistencies in plot and character.


I have over a decade of experience in editing and proofreading. After editing in the corporate sector for seven years, I made the switch to fiction in 2015. Since then, regular clients include publishers (Kensington Books, Pegasus Books, Hachette UK, Charlie's Port, Dragon Moon Press, Booktrope) and indie/self-published authors. To date (2023), I have worked on more than 300 books.


Through various courses, I’ve continued to strengthen my editing skills and add to my qualifications. From the Publishing Training Centre, I’ve earned an Essential Grammar certificate and a Distinction in Proofreading (PTC’s highest score). I’ve also earned a Certificate in Editing from Poynter University in association with ACES, scoring 100% on the grammar assessment.


I've attended the Writers' Police Academy twice (in 2017 and 2018), where I took various courses taught by law enforcement, EMTs, firefighters, and scientists that help with realism and fact-checking in stories that involve law enforcement or weapons (I even took a class on how to kill people with insects!)


I'm happy to work with both indie authors and publishers. I’m a huge fan of indie books, and there’s nothing like the collaborative effort of working with an indie author to bring a new book to its readers. My schedule is usually booked a few months out, but I’m always available to take on new clients. I’d love to be part of your team.


** I am currently booking for February 2024 and later. **


______________________________


"Having worked with Lisa G—— for a number of years, I can confidently state that she has consistently produced stellar editing. Ms. G —— has proved herself to be an asset when working with some of Kensington Publishing Corp.'s top acquisition editors. She has more than earned her status as a vital member of my team."


—Renee Rocco, Managing Director, Lyrical Press (Kensington Books)

Services
Fiction
Dystopian Epic Fantasy Horror Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller Technothriller Urban Fantasy Young Adult
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • ACES/Poynter - Certificate in Editing
  • Publishing Training Centre - Passed with Distinction in Proofreading
  • Publishing Training Centre - Certificate in Essential Grammar
  • Professional Member - CIEP

Work experience

Self-employed

Feb, 2015 — Present

Have edited or proofread 350+ manuscripts (75+ for publishers, 100+ for editing services, and 175+ for independent authors).

Pegasus Books (NY)

Apr, 2021 — Present

Have edited or proofread 10+ manuscripts as assigned by managing editor.

Enchanted Ink Publishing

May, 2020 — Present

Have edited or proofread 60+ manuscripts as assigned by business owner.

Kensington Publishing

Jul, 2017 — Present

Have edited or proofread 40+ manuscripts for Lyrical Press and Zebra imprints as assigned by managing director.

Pikko's House Editing Services

Jun, 2017 — Present

Have proofread 50+ manuscripts as assigned by business owner.

Booktrope Publishing

Feb, 2015 — May, 2016 (about 1 year)

Edited or proofread 25+ manuscripts before business closed in 2016.

Portfolio

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Exorcism of Miller's Crossing

Clark, David

Copy Editing
Proofreading
Song of the Dryad

Leigh, Natalia

Copy Editing
Taken (Deep Ops)

Rebecca Zanetti

"Fans of J. D. Robb and Karen Robards will love Zanetti's series start." -Booklist on Hidden Hunter Holt might be the most stubborn ex-soldier ever born, but when he's called on to help find a... read more
Proofreading
Former U.S. Army investigator Mason Collins grapples with a web of lies, secrets, and murder as he races against time to save the lives of abducted teenagers in a case as twisted as the street... read more
Copy Editing
The past is never truly buried… Generations of Jillian Cley’s family have been tasked with a strange duty—tending the burial plot of Gabriel Vane, whose body was the first to be interred in th... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Birthday Girl

Wolf, Niko

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Leaning On Water

Joan June Chen

Winner of the 13th Annual National Indie Excellence Award in Science Fiction! A talented young cadea pilot.A mysterious Bionic.A dark past that threatens the future...LIVINTHEA PARK has the Ma... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Wyrd Gods (Timelessness Book 1)

Imaginário, Susana

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The end is nigh, and there is one small group willing to put their bodies in front of the insane.Sometimes, it isn't good people doing bad things but rather bad people without a conscience mak... read more
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Proofreading
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU CAN’T PROVE ANYTHING?In the far south a young girl goes missing, lost without trace in the wilderness beyond her remote family cottage. A year later her father disappea... read more
Proofreading
Proofreading
“J.T. Patten’s Buried in Black takes readers deep into the shadows with an explosive narrative that could only have been written by a man who has been there himself. Buried in Black delivers o... read more
Copy Editing
A Charleston belle with slavery on her conscience. A slave with rebellion in her heart. In South Carolina in 1858, no friendship could be more dangerous.Caro Jarvie’s father, who owns her, lov... read more
Proofreading
JACK MURPHY WON’T BACK DOWN The headlines scream the ghastly news of an abandoned truck filled with murdered immigrants. Detective Jack Murphy and his partner Liddell Blanchard are on the case... read more
Copy Editing
A romantic comedy from a bestselling author where frosting will never be the same. I'm a hopeless romantic who thought the wedding dress draped over my shoulder was going to be the start of my... read more
Copy Editing
After dealing what she hopes is a major blow to the enemy, Avery Rendon has found her way home to Asria. Safe for now, she spends her time adjusting to her new role in her planet’s future and ... read more
Proofreading

Lisa has 71 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Charlotte Z.

Charlotte Z.

Nov, 2023

Lisa Gilliam made our first time working with a professional editor an easy, engaging, and rewarding experience. Her communication was clear, open, and thorough throughout. Lisa laid out an extensive and precise brief of what we could expect from her at the start and delivered on every one of them. Having completed over ten drafts of our novel, running the chapters through every spelling and gr...
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Yuval K.

Yuval K.

Oct, 2023

Lisa is a pleasure to work with. She has an amazing capacity to preserve author voice while fixing all the stuff that’s actually wrong! (Even if I thought it sounded pretty.)
Ben C.

Ben C.

Sep, 2023

Lisa was professional, prompt, and a joy to work with. Her attention to detail and experience was evident her editing work. I would highly recommend collaborating with Lisa for any editing needs.
Z P.

Z P.

Sep, 2023

Lisa provided copy edit services. It was timely and efficient. I loved that she provided explanations for some of the edits and sighted rules from the Chicago Manual of Style. My manuscript is much cleaner. I am very pleased with her work.
Mark B.

Mark B.

Aug, 2023

Second time working with Lisa and, again, thoroughly satisfied.

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