Editing Portfolio
I have been privileged to work with many wonderful authors who trusted me to help develop their books. This page highlights some of the published books I have worked on.
βShe didnβt just help my story become stronger, but the improvements in my writing skills have been significant.β
Note that the covers below link to these titles on retailers using a universal link, and I am an affiliate of Amazon and Kobo. That means if you choose to click through to one of those stores and make a purchase, I receive a few cents at no extra cost to you. However, I strongly encourage you to support your preferred platform or even ask your library to bring a title in if you wish to read it. I provide links as service to you and the authors I work with.
Jessica Renwick
Middle grade fantasy and horror plus sweet romance author Jessica Renwick.
Jessica Renwick is an award-winning independent author publishing middle grade fantasy and horror, as well as sweet small-town romance as Jessica Anne Renwick. She and I have worked together since she completed her first manuscript (The Book of Chaos) in 2018, and on nearly every title in her catalogue since.
On her first projects, Jessica had me do multiple passes of her work to help her develop her writing and style. These days, Jessica usually has me do a manuscript assessment to catch plot and character issues, and we often have a coaching call to help her nail down her ideas while sheβs planning or writing.
Hereβs what Jessica has to say to anyone considering working with me:
βDo it! And don't expect someone who will just whiz through the manuscript offering basic structural guidance. Talena will make you work hard, but it is so worth it because sheβll teach you how to improve your skills and truly make your manuscript the best it can be.β
Adam Dreece
Adam Dreece is the author of the internationally best-selling Yellow Hoods series.
I worked with Adam to beta read his manuscript for The Kingβs Horse twice and, later, to line edit a revised version. In fact, it was Adamβs encouragement after doing the beta reading passes that gave me the confidence to hang out my shingle as a developmental editor. He appreciated my work, and, since this is now one of my callings, I appreciate his inspiration and vote of confidence to dive into this career!
Adam Dreece:
The Kingβs Horse
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
An all-new steampunk-meets-fairy-tale series of heart, legacy, and duty.
Kaylea Prime
Author Kaylea Prime used feedback I gave her during the developmental stages of her debut portal fantasy novel, A Spark from Embers, to revise the project and get it ready for publication.
Kaylea Prime: A Spark from Embers
Genre: New Adult Fantasy
Eighteen-year-old Sadieβs fiery ambitions of adventure and heroism have faded to embers. But after she steps through a portal into a magical land she once read about in a book, sheβs stuck with Tristan, an enigmatic and frustrating man sent to guide her through the parallel world of ArwΓ©. Soon, sheβs caught in a civil war she inadvertently accelerated. Walking through that portal should have been freeing. So why does she feel more trapped?
βTalenaβs thorough understanding of story structure and character motivations coupled with an attention to detail that will exceed your expectations make her an invaluable asset for any writer at any stage of their craft.β
Shari Chelack
I was thrilled to help Shari Chelack shape the book of her heart into a publication-ready manuscript through multiple editing passes.
Shari Chelack:
Flawed and Fabulous
Genre: Memoir
Like many millennials, Shari Chelack began adulthood trying to live up to the perfect image she saw on her Instagram feed. Little did she know, it would be on the yellow brick road of motherhood that she would learn her most invaluable life lessons.
With humour and raw honesty, Chelack shares her journey from being a successful but miserable briefcase-carrying career woman to discovering she already possessed the magic to create the balance and happiness sheβd always wanted.
P. D. Workman
P. D. Workman is a prolific writer of thriller, suspense, and paranormal cozy mysteries for adult and young adult audiences.
For these manuscripts, I did developmental beta reads.
Endless Change
Genre: Young Adult Suspense
She was a broken bird. He was a mender of wings.
Chloe (Between the Cracks #4)
Genre: Young Adult Suspense
There had been two Chloes for a long time. But the harder she tried to be perfect, the worse the abuse got.
Kate Reynolds
Kate Reynolds writes historical womenβs fiction and drama. I had the privilege of helping her develop this heartfelt story into its final form with a manuscript critique of an earlier draft.
Elizabethβs Harmony (A Cornish Tale of Music and Marriage) by Kate Reynolds
Genre: Historical romantic womenβs fiction
In 1879 Cornwall, pianist Elizabeth Kaverne's perfect pitch makes the world's discord unbearable. Her upcoming marriage offers the security she hopes will silence the chaos. But when mysterious engineer Thomas Blackwood arrives, he unveils a dangerous harmony that Elizabeth canβt ignore. With her future on the line, will she choose duty's familiar tune, or a love that could ruin everything?
βIβve been poring over your wonderfulβamazing, in factβreport and want you to know how helpful your work is. Itβs obvious to me that you devoted effort and thought and β¦ heart β¦ to my novella, and that means the world to me. Iβm sure you know how important it is to have someone actually care about your work. It makes me glad I chose you to edit my story.β
Jessica L. Jackson
I developed my editing chops as a critique partner for experienced author Jessica L. Jackson as she wrote one of the last books in her Winsome Regency Romance series.
Jessica L. Jackson:
That Wicked Earl
Genre: Regency Romance
Otaheitian princess Phillipah captures the heart of ladiesβ man James Pearlington, Earl of Strathmoorβbut can she win the heart of England, too?
βTalena Wintersβ advice and direction during the crafting of That Wicked Earl proved invaluable. Every writer needs good feedback and Talenaβs selfless attention to detail helped me enormously.β