About Sarah
Editor, Book Coach, Writer.
I grew up surrounded by books, music, and art. My first job (at fifteen) was in a bookstore. I love all kinds of books—sad, funny, short, long, serious, irreverent, translated, historical—I could go on. I love kids’ books and read a lot to my grandkids. The one genre that I could never get into is sci-fi, which I don’t edit. Fantasy, yes. Sci-fi, no.
Over the years I’ve been a bookseller, reviewer, published author, teacher, editor, and book coach. Each role has given me a different perspective on the writing and publishing process, but they have one thing in common: I want to get great stories into readers’ hands.
For thirteen years I was an in-house editor at Orca Book Publishers, where I acquired, developed, and edited award-winning fiction for young readers. That experience taught me not only how books are made, but that editing (for me anyway) is 25 percent mechanics and 75 percent relationship. If the relationship isn’t working, editing and revising can be a tough slog.
I’ve been a freelance editor since 2019. I edit fiction, memoir, nonfiction, and children’s books. And yes, I’m a generalist, and I’m okay with that. I’m never bored. Whatever goals my clients have, my goal remains the same: to help them write with clarity, confidence, and joy. Yes, joy.
One of the things I enjoy most about editing is problem-solving. I ask a lot of questions, identify both strengths and weaknesses, and offer practical suggestions that amplify writers’ voices and respect their vision.
My experience as the author of thirteen books (and counting) has helped shape who I am as an editor and book coach.
I will bring expertise, enthusiasm, attention, humour, empathy and commitment to your work. I will be your cheerleader (without the pompoms). Together we can set goals, overcome challenges and find creative, workable solutions to your writing problems.
When I’m not editing, you’ll usually find me reading, making art, doing yoga, or enjoying the natural beauty of Vancouver Island. Writing, editing and making art have taught me to slow down and look closely at what is in front of me: words on a page, a shell on the beach or a blowsy peony. Everything is worth a second look.
All the photographs on this website (with the exception of my author photograph, which was taken by Patrice Snopkowski) are my own, as is the art.