Not all publishers allow for freelancers to work directly with authors, but I've been privileged to work directly with the following authors who have kindly said a good word about my work. The first section is for novelists, and the second is for nonfiction writers.FICTION
"I’ve
worked with my share of editors over the years, and I have to say Jean has been
a delight! Solid in her critique but encouraging at the same time. A rare
balance--and just what a writer needs!" - Buck Storm, author of Venus Sings the Blues (Kregel) (June 2022)
"I had the honor and joy of working with Jean on copy and line edits for my contracted novel. Jean proved to be knowledgeable, easy to work with, and caught things I missed. Whenever there was a point of disagreement on a change, she listened to my reasoning and then either agreed or offered a workable alternative, leaving the final decision up to me. Through working with Jean, I feel like I have improved as a writer. I look forward to the next time we interact." - Crystal Caudill, author of Counterfeit Love (Kregel)
"Jean gave me what I wanted most from editing---an even better book and a learning experience. To give just one example, I thought I'd mastered maintaining point of view until she firmly and graciously took me in hand. It was that very skill that made all the difference in revising the last scene of the book. Thanks to Jean, the end of The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady is as strong as the beginning." - Sharon Mondragon, The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady (Kregel)
"As both an editor and an author, I know that the author-editor relationship is one of the most important elements of the publishing process. Jean Bloom is a wonderful editor, balancing attention to detail and author voice with graciousness. My book is so much better because of her work." - Janyre Tromp, editor at Kregel Publications and author of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye (Kregel) (July 2021)
"Working with Jean Bloom is pure joy. We first met when she came alongside me during an especially difficult project, and she provided needed clarity and insight—along with such encouragement. Her eye for detail is excellent, especially as it relates to timelines and character development. I cannot recommend her editorial services highly enough!" – Tamera Alexander, best-selling author of With This Pledge (Christy Award winner) and A Note Yet Unsung
"Editor Jean Bloom knows how to strengthen an author’s voice without trying to hijack it. I can’t thank her enough for her help with my novel, Dead End [Bethany House]. I highly recommend her!" – Nancy Mehl, USA Today bestselling author, Carol Award winner, and Christy Award nominee
"You will not get a more thorough and thought-provoking edit than from Jean Kavich Bloom. Not only did she catch an innumerable number of typos, faulty punctuations, and other out-of-order sundries, but her commentary on style consistency, flow, and narrative integrity challenged me in exactly the way my readers would have...except now they won't because Jean caught them first. I'm a better and more thoughtful writer because of her diligence." - Gordon Greenhill, author of The Relics of Errus series, Volume 1, Flight of the SkyCricket, and Volume 2, Plight of the Rokan Boy
"On the day I started looking for editors for my novel, I opened ACFW's daily email to find a blog post by Jean Bloom—an editor. That seemed like more than a coincidence, so I checked out her website. Right away I saw the long list of authors—many in my same genre—she had worked with. Once I emailed her and had her do a sample edit, I knew I'd found my editor. Working with Jean was wonderful. She worked quickly, conveyed her thoughts and suggestions clearly, and greatly improved my manuscript on the macro and micro levels. I cannot recommend her services enough, and will be using her again for my next novel." - Christy Distler, author of A Cord of Three Strands and The Heart Knows the Way Home; editor (Avodah Books)
“Jean was detailed and efficient, gracious and respectful. The Baggage Handler is my debut novel, and she treated my first child with care. Jean suggested ways for it to improve and kept an important external watch on a story that was so embedded in my head there were things I could no longer see. I hope to work with her again.” - David Rawlings, author of The Camera Never Lies and The Baggage Handler (HarperCollins Christian Publishing), winner of a 2019 Christy Award
"Meticulous, prompt, detailed, and kind are all words I associate with Jean. She worked with me on my first novel and it was such a relief to know I was in such capable hands. She made my novel stronger by ensuring the elements of the story all tied together, catching mistakes in details and timeline, and cleaning up grammar, spelling, and punctuation. She saw things I didn't notice, and has a sharp eye for continuity and logic within a story. I was so pleased to work with her and hope to again soon." - Rachel Linden, author of Ascension of Larks (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
"Attention to detail, respect for the writer's voice, and a keen eye are just three of the things that come to mind when I think of Jean Bloom. Anytime she edits my work, I know it's in excellent hands!" - Katie Ganshert, novelist, Carol Award Winner (American Christian Fiction Writers) (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
"Jean Bloom edits with a graceful touch and a sharp eye. Her help with my Amish mystery series has been invaluable, and I'm always pleased with a chance to get to work with her." – Vannetta Chapman, author of The Amish Village Mystery Collection (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
"Jean Bloom is one of my favorite editors! We collaborated on several of my books, and I was thankful for her knowledge and skill. She not only polished my words, but she suggested ways to improve the story. Jean is detail-oriented, and she remembered aspects of the story and characterization from previous books that were applicable to the current manuscript. At times, I was certain she knew my characters better than I did! Jean is a brilliant editor, and I hope we are able to continue to work together. I’m certain she’s made my books better than they were before she worked her magic on them." - Amy Clipston, best-selling author (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
"Jean Bloom is an excellent editor. We've worked together on several projects, and her attention to detail is superb. One of Jean's many exemplary qualities as an editor is that she allows the author's voice to shine through while still finding ways to improve what is already written. For me, this is the most important aspect of editing, and Jean excels at it. I highly recommend Jean's editorial services." – Kathleen Fuller, best-selling author (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
"Working with editor Jean Bloom is a delight! She gives suggestions, helps decipher wordy prose, and makes my work shine...all while being positive and professional. When I am fortunate to have the chance to work with Jean, I jump at the chance." - New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray (HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
"Jean Bloom is a talented and diligent editor. Her keen insights, attention to detail, and flexibility, while maintaining my voice, were gifts I treasure. She was responsive and considerate. I couldn’t have been more pleased and look forward to working with her again." - Kate Lloyd (www.katelloyd.com), bestselling novelist; A Letter from Lancaster County (Harvest House)
NONFICTION
"As a first-time author, I was nervous about the
editing process, worrying that my message would be watered down or my writing
style would be changed. Thankfully, I was beyond pleasantly surprised working with
Jean as my editor. Simply put, she made my writing better. So much better. She
clarified and honed my writing, causing my message and writing style to really
shine. Jean's extensive experience and natural gifting shows. I could not
be happier working with Jean." - Melissa Johnson, author of Soul-Deep Beauty (November 2022)
"I really enjoyed having Jean as my editor because she both encouraged and challenged me. Jean asked me to think about more contentious pieces of my book from different angles I hadn't thought of while respecting my voice and conclusions in the process. I believe my book is the best version it can be, in part, because of the work Jean poured into it." - Jillian Benfield, author of The Gift of the Unexpected (Bethany House). (June 2022)
"My favorite part
of the editorial collaboration is the seamless way in which a talented, gifted
editor is able to reach into my mind and anticipate the pitch-perfect way I
would love for my thoughts and words to be arranged on the page. Jean’s deft
hand and light touch are so intuitive that my books are a result of her careful
crafting and dedication but also by her uncanny ability to weave changes that
read invisible given she knows my voice so well. It is clear by her
well-founded suggestions and comments that she cares as much about my
manuscript realizing the best version of itself as I do. I trust her implicitly
with my work and am always looking forward to our next project. With Jean,
my books become our books and I simply wouldn’t have it any
other way but that team effort." — Rachel McMillan, author of Dream, Plan, and Go; Dream, Plan, and Go Adventure Journal;
and A Very Merry Holiday Movie Guide (Harvest House)
“Jean took the responsibility for a difficult
edit—dual authors with different personalities and different writing styles and
a long non-fiction book besides. She took the challenge and came back with a
manuscript that was much clearer and easier to read. (Even my wife was excited
about the many improvements! She didn't know I could write so clearly.) Jean
delivered on time as promised and was exceptionally easy to work with as well
as encouraging to a new writer, so much so I'm encouraged to write another book
but will involve her earlier in the process.” - Jim DeVries, coauthor of Christ-Centered Leadership at Work
"I recently had the honor to work with Jean
Bloom. As this is my first book, Jean lovingly called it a “heavy edit”! I
would have to agree. I don't know that I could have done it without her. Her
writing style is spot-on, and I truly believe she understood the heart of where
I was coming from. I am grateful to Jean for turning my book into a reality.
She was also right on time, which I appreciated." - Christine
Soule, Founder and
Chief Executive Officer of Providence Heights
"Jean was very easy to
work with. This was my first experience with having my work edited, so I didn’t
know what to expect. She was thorough and helpful, while keeping my voice
throughout the book. I absolutely plan to work with Jean again in the
future!" - Alan Seaborn, Winning At Home, author of Journeying
with Pain
“I came into the editing process believing I was a good writer, and that an editor would probably just want to change my words to their words. That’s not at all what happened. Jean helped me say what I wanted to say, but better. Her work was clean and easy to understand, but more importantly, it was invaluable. I was instantly able to see the value of her editing my book. She’s a pro, and her work is a reflection of that status. She’s responsive, deadline-driven, and clear in her interactions. There wasn’t a moment while working with her when I felt uncertain about where things were. Whether you’re writing your first book, or 100th book, Jean should be the call you make." - Brock Shinen, author of The Christian Entrepreneur (Bethany House)
"Jean's editing service was exceptional. She helped me to produce a more refined and understandable book. Her editing skill, speed, and understanding of my writing made working with Jean a pleasure." - Jason Wiedel, author of Persecution Complex
“Mark Twain despised editors. In 1889 he wrote, ‘Yesterday Mr. Hall wrote that the printer's proof-reader was improving my punctuation for me,& I telegraphed orders to have him shot without giving him time to pray.’ If Mark Twain could have worked with Jean, I’m confident that he would have changed his opinion about proofreaders. Jean is knowledgeable, thorough, fast, offers great insights, and understands writing from a Christian worldview. I enthusiastically recommend her.” - Ron Haas, Author of Ask for a Fish, Vice President at The Timothy Group
"Skill, speed, and communication are just a few of the traits that set Jean apart. Her eye for detail and knowledge of what readers like make her an excellent editor. She is very approachable and a true pleasure to work with." - Misty Dollard, Author of Seven: A Modern Day Look at the Feasts of the Lord
"Although (it was) my first time writing and editing a book, Jean walked me through the process with many corrections and ideas to make the work more readable. I'm grateful for her knowledge and insight within the publishing world, which was wonderful for a neophyte like me." - Phil Smart, author of By Any Means
“Jean has an understanding of the Christian audience and how to build a book, build a chapter and build a sentence to impact your reader. Jean gets it! - Patrick G. McLaughlin, President/Founder, The Timothy Group, Author of Major Donor Game Plan and The C Factor
"Jean was a strong referral from an agent friend of mine. This was my first book project, though, so I was a bit apprehensive about the process. Even began to wonder if I could publish without an editor. Ha! Looking back that would have been a HUGE mistake! Jean added so much more to my book than I could have ever imagined. I "liked" my book before her assistance. I "love" it now! She even took into consideration my newness to working with an editor and walked me through each step with clarity, professionalism, and grace and taught me a few things about writing along the way. Well worth the investment! Can't recommend her services enough!" - Ryan May, author of Stuck in the Middle
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