About Me
My name is Brande Guisbert (my friends call me Renae).
Proper editing can be the difference between a client or customer that trusts you and one that questions the knowledge you’ve placed on the page. Poorly written sentences can confuse or frustrate them. Plots that move too quickly, or too slowly, can leave them unengaged.
While there are a multitude of resources available for authors to work on their own editing, nothing compares to a human editor. I know several professional editors who still hire someone to help edit their own writing! If you want to improve the way you communicate with your readers, I can help.
I am an experienced editor with decades of experience in academia and editing in the professional setting. I’ve also spent years working with various authors to help them improve their books, including working with them on editing issues and sensitivity issues. I have experience with both fiction and nonfiction. My work with fiction has been primarily in the genre of romance (including modern romance, romantasy, dark romance, and supernatural romance). My experience with nonfiction work includes history, grant proposals, travel literature, and self-help (with topics ranging from manifestation and positivity to efficiency and productivity). I offer a variety of services to help you improve your books, blog posts, courses, and emails.
I have a degree in History and Art History from the University of Michigan, where I focused on minority representation in both art and literature. I also have done graduate work in both Social Work and Humanities (which is a combined program in literature, philosophy, and history). I have a passing knowledge of several languages and am obsessed with world cultures. I combine this unique set of skills in a way that helps authors engage with their text in a multitude of ways, from looking at characterization, how their story fits with factual historical events of the time, and even how issues of social intersection might affect a reader’s emotional engagement with their characters.
I work with writers on both fiction and nonfiction projects. In the realm of fiction I primarily work in the genres of horror, cozy mystery, and romance (including contemporary, historical, and romantasy) and am familiar with the tropes and expectations of those genres. I can assist you with all levels of story development and will help make sure that your story taps into your unique voice in the best way possible.
Our Services
Manuscript Evaluation: This is a close look at how the book functions on the larger scale. It will look at reader expectations, genre elements, plot and character arcs, pacing, and emotional impact. This level typically involves a 6-8 page typed assessment. Sometime comments will be included on the manuscript where appropriate.
Developmental Editing: This will look at the same types of issues as the manuscript evaluation, but much more in-depth. This level typically involves a 15-20 pages typed assessment as well as extensive commentary on the manuscript. The commentary within the manuscript will point out places in which issues present themselves, as well as the strong elements of your manuscript. It will look at these issues across the chapters, as well as in individual paragraphs and even lines. It will also suggest various possible ways in which issues could be addressed.
Line Editing: This level typically happens after a developmental edit, or when that level of editing is not needed. At this level, sentence structure becomes the focus. Here, specific phrasing and the impact on the reader will be considered. Suggestions for wording which might help reader understanding or the flow of the text will be suggested.
To get a quote on your next project feel free to contact me at brande@brandegeditor.com and we can discuss how long your project is, what genre it is, and how I can help you make it exactly what you want it to be!
Why Choose Me
Passionate
I am passionate about literature, but more importantly I am deeply invested in the success of my clients. I will go above and beyond to make your manuscript the book you envision it being!
Professional
I pride myself on professional responsibility. I am constantly engaged with my clients, answering questions and keeping them updated in the rare instances of timeline changes.
Support
I not only offer editing services, but do my best to help guide clients who are newer to publishing regarding their options and how traditional vs self publishing will affect not only their book but also how they move forward once their manuscript is completed.