Verbatim Edits and Book Coaching

For the love of books (and the people who write them)

Little girl sitting at a table with a typewriter in black and white

About Sarah N. Harvey

Editor, book coach, and writer

I love all kinds of books— sad ones, funny ones, dark ones, light ones, short ones, long ones. I read a lot of memoirs, and love to burrow into the world of a great novel. 
 
For thirteen years, I was an in-house editor for Orca Book Publishers, where  I developed, acquired and edited award-winning fiction and non-fiction for young readers.
 
Before becoming an editor, I was a bookseller, columnist, and reviewer for many years. I have also taught courses on writing, editing, and publishing.
 
I have been a freelance editor for five years now. I have worked on memoirs, picture books, fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. My work involves both editing and book coaching. I learn a lot from the authors I work with, and I look on relationship-building as one of my core tasks. 
 
I know how publishing works and how frustrating it can be to navigate those waters alone. I am also the author of thirteen books for young readers. You can see them at my author website. My experience as an author has helped shape who I am as an editor and book coach, too. I understand how difficult it can be to be edited, but I also know how valuable it is. 
 
I will bring expertise, enthusiasm, attention, humour, empathy and commitment to your work. I will be your cheerleader (but without the pompoms). Together we can set goals, overcome challenges, and find creative solutions to all your writing problems. Let’s make the alchemy happen. 
 
I acknowledge and respect the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples on whose traditional territories I live, work and play.

Sarah N. Harvey

Editor, book coach, and writer.

Helping writers polish their work - word by word, sentence by sentence - since 2005.

A Couple of Kudos

I was nervous about handing over my book/ child to Sarah, but I need not have worried. She was like a guiding light, seeing the book through my eyes and hearing my voice. Always encouraging, and generous with her time, she offered suggestions that were brilliant and insightful. I highly recommend Sarah and look forward to working with her on my second book.
Cynthia Lebrun​, author of
Black Sunflowers
(Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2024)
It has been a pleasure collaborating with Sarah. Her keen critical insights and valuable suggestions have significantly improved both the structure and content of the book. Additionally, her reliability in meeting tight deadlines has been commendable. I am immensely grateful for her assistance and look forward to working together on future projects. Thank you, Sarah!
A book cover showing a kayak on the water with a beautiful sunset sky, titled "Sea Kayak Touring and Leadership Manual: Freedom of the Seas, Volume 2".
JF Marleau, co-author of
Sea Kayaking Touring and Leadership Manual:
Freedom of the Seas, Volume 2.
(SKILS, 2024)