Your book writing strategist, publishing “insider,” and author resource—you don't have to figure everything out on your own.
Editing is a collaborative process that brings method to the magical madness of writing—and finishing—your book.
What's next after you've finished that first draft (or second, or third...)? Whether it's a memoir, novel, or a collection of personal essays, you need a keen, empathetic guide who will understand your motivations as an author as well as advocate for the best structure and flow in service of your story. As your editor, my main job is to make sure your story shines the way it should.
Let’s work together to bring you closer to your publishing goals.
Hi, I’m Neva!
I’m a developmental book editor and writer with more than ten years of training and experience in editorial work, media, and business.
Otherwordy was inspired by the African proverb: “The story of the lion will never be known if the hunter is the one to tell it.” Through my editing services and community work, I want to make sure that “other” stories will continue to be told, written, and published by and for underrepresented and marginalized voices.
Publishers I’ve worked with: Spirit Bound Press, Wiley, Row House Publishing, Sunday Dinner Publishing.
Related Roles & Projects
Lead Editor for Spirit Bound Press
Writing Mentor for Literary Craft Society
Community manager for Talking Writing, a podcast and creative platform.
Community organizer for arts and literature events in Rockaway Beach, New York
Professional Training
ACES Poynter Introductory Certificate in Editing
Developmental Editing Course, Editorial Freelancers Association
Sensitivity Reading, Editorial Freelancers Association
The New School Media Writing Essentials Certificate
Editing Articles and Essays to Submit for Publication, NYU School of Professional Studies
Microaggressions and Racial Stress: Reducing Harmful Interactions, NYU School of Professional Studies
New Grace: Juvenalia Poems
I began my writing career as a poet. New Grace — which is the English translation of my name, Neva Kares — is a collection of my poems from 1998 until 2020.
Recommended Tools
Beautiful, customizable DIY websites
I’ve always felt comfortable fiddling with my own website and I wanted to be able to update it anytime I wanted. Edge Templates for Squarespace designed by Britta Weickert have made it much easier to build authority, find community, and promote my services with all-in-one, gorgeous, DIY templates. If you’re a creative, these templates are a godsend.
(Note: This is an affiliate link. I bought Edge templates for this website in 2021 and customized it by myself)
Accessible writing
AudioPen transforms messy voice notes into publish-ready text. Draft articles, memos, emails, and more in a fraction of the time. It’s especially useful for those who are more auditory-oriented and writers who are mostly away from their desk.
(Note: This is an affiliate link which I also use and subscribe to)
More than a thesaurus
OneLook is an underrated free online platform that serves as dictionary, thesaurus, brainstorming tool, and more. You can even search for related words and do a reverse dictionary search. The Spruce tab takes you to their “inspiration engine” which will find quotes, jokes, proverbs, or lyrics that fits the theme or description you type.
(Note: this is not an affiliate link)
