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My editorial career spans nearly three decades as publications manager, managing editor, senior managing editor, and for the past fifteen of those years, independent editor. I have also published short fiction, memoir, and poetry, and my novel is forthcoming in 2026. Choose the My Writing tab for a list of my publications.

As an independent editor, my current main areas are fiction and creative nonfiction / memoir. I offer developmental editing and copyediting of book-length manuscripts or stand-alone shorter stories and essays. See testimonials below, and click the Contact Me tab if you’d like to send an inquiry. Tell me about your project, the kind of editorial assistance you seek, and the word count.

“I don’t see how you do what you do. It’s an amazing skill and talent. You have eyes that see far beyond what we (the ones with the just-normal eyes) see. Your suggestions for rewrites or added content or relocating a sentence or phrase do everything to enhance my work. I am forever grateful.” — Stephen Barefoot, memoirist

“Laurel, you are so good. It was such a relief to have your edits and send [my novel] off with a clear head. Thank you so much for making it possible … for giving me the confidence to put South of Heaven out into the world.” — Patti Frye Meredith, novelist

“Ms. Ferejohn is a thoughtful, meticulous, and insightful editor. In copyediting my memoir, she suggested elegant solutions for trouble areas I had struggled with. Her queries are on point, her explanations clear and succinct. Prompt in her deliveries, Ms. Ferejohn was the ultimate professional throughout and an absolute pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her editing services.”    —Oanh Ngo Usadi, memoirist

“Laurel Ferejohn is simply the best-ever editor, friend, and guardian angel. She willingly stepped into the fray whenever I was in a panic, and saved me—often from myself. She was invariably kind, profoundly insightful, annoyingly meticulous, and—I have to admit it—always correct. My novel would not exist were it not for her generous guidance, insightful interventions, and calming voice.”   — Judy Dearlove, novelist

“You have become my favorite ‘go to’ editor. You have a unique ability to identify awkward or incomplete phrasing and suggest more appropriate wording that completes and enhances my work. Your meticulous eye catches the small things. Your sensitivity ensures that the thought I intend is the one my audience will read.” — Dea Zullo, author

“I know that I can send Laurel Ferejohn a journal issue on virtually any topic and will receive in return articles that have been edited with acuity, meticulous attention to detail, and a fine sense of what the author is trying to express and how best to express it. I can say with confidence that anyone who works with her will be extremely glad they did.” — Charles Brower, Duke University Press Journals

“Laurel Ferejohn’s editorial skills and professional judgment are impeccable. After an initial perusal, she plowed through my manuscript for a thorough read, creating a line-by-line edit that also pointed out strengths and weaknesses and suggested additions or subtractions. She noted narrative elements—character development, story arc, and point-of-view—and fixed inconsistencies. After the editing process was complete, she made herself available for additional questions and clarifications. A dearth of superlatives exists in describing Laurel Ferejohn’s expertise as an editor.” — Luther Kirk, novelist

“It is always a challenge for any author to turn over their beloved manuscript to an editor. You know the work could be better, but you aren’t certain how to make it that way. Enter Laurel: editor, guide, counselor and friend. She ameliorates your fear, post haste, but she doesn’t coddle. She edits with great care and attention to detail. Not only does she point out grammar, punctuation, and spelling missteps, she also makes suggestions to clarify the narrative arc, strengthen plot, and further develop characters who need to be brought more to life. In all of this, she is artful, gracious and kind, and she explains all of her recommendations in a clear and concise manner. Laurel Ferejohn is an exemplary editor to whom I give my highest recommendation.” — Dr. Barry L. Swanson, author

“I am so impressed and very grateful. You saw what I wanted to be seen in my novel, confirmed my sense of some things that need to be different (e.g., the loooonnng beginning), pointed out other things that I didn’t see, raised great questions, suggested changes, explained your recommendations, all in such a clear, thoughtful manner. Wow, more than I could wish for.”
— Sara Jenkins, author

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