Verbatim Edits and Book Coaching
For the love of books (and the people who write them)
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
It was an absolute pleasure to work with Sarah on our book. She helped us avoid the use of jargon and learn to express complex ideas in ways that would make sense to our audience. Sarah encouraged not only clear thinking and writing but showed us the benefits of incorporating humour and examples. She knows her stuff, and I would recommend her editorial skills to anyone hoping to reach an audience through the wonderful but challenging world of words.
Robin Gregory, author (with Brook Moore) of
Sorting it Out: Supporting Teenage Decision Making
(Cambridge University Press, 2024)
(Cambridge University Press, 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!
JF Marleau, co-author of
Sea Kayaking Touring and Leadership Manual:
Freedom of the Seas, Volume 2. (SKILS, 2024)
Freedom of the Seas, Volume 2. (SKILS, 2024)