Goldenwest Editing takes the stress away from editing, giving you peace of mind and an easy-to-use process with regular updates. We work at your speed, with simple clear communications.
Editing is not only our job, it’s a passion as we enjoy seeing and reading the characters and stories evolve as much as you do.
Editing Made Easy
Editing Made Easy
Leslie O'Brien
- 30 years in the publishing industry
- 25 years professionally editing
- 20 years academic and business editing
- 16 years fiction editing
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Storytelling has been a huge part of my life. My father was fond of telling stories, many of which couldn’t be shared in mixed company. Of the stories my father could tell around me that wouldn’t get him in trouble with my mom, I remember sitting in rapt attention as he shared his version of the epic events of the Revolutionary War. I will confess to being disappointed when I did learn the truth as his accounts were always much more entertaining.
When I received my first library card, my narrow world exploded and I worked my way through the entire children’s section before shifting over to fantasy, mythology, and legends. That love of reading and language turned into a passion and I majored in English (creative and expository writing) with a minor in American Indian Studies, graduating with a bachelor’s degree before setting my sights on a job in the publishing industry.
Starting out at an educational publisher, I eventually took a position in acquisitions for a New York publisher where I loved working with authors at different heights in their careers. I remember a derogatory statement that used to float around the office when I worked there: “Those who can, teach. Those who can’t, go into publishing.” It became a running joke because many of the editors in acquisitions were once teachers. I wanted both. While I enjoyed many aspects of publishing; especially helping a manuscript become a book, I also enjoyed taking a hands-on role working with writers, which I didn’t often get to do in acquisitions. When I left that job, I knew I wanted the best of both worlds (teaching and publishing) and Goldenwest Editing (GWE) was born.
Established in 1998, GWE first worked in such niche markets as organizational leadership, managed health care, information technology, and education. In 2002, GWE began transitioning into global areas including projects on colonial law as it pertained to Africa combined with an increase in work associated with ICTs and the social sciences. In 2004, GWE’s reach expanded again to include a stronger client base with NGOs in Africa, Asia, and Europe. In 2010, GWE had a growing client base within different government organizations and NGOs, as well as several universities in Europe, Asia, and the US.
Transitioning yet again, in 2013, GWE expanded our offering to include fiction and creative nonfiction and since that time, more than half of our clients are authors and publishers covering a range of genres including: romance, fantasy and science fiction, and thrillers.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that since 1998, I’ve also worked on a variety of business projects including resumes. It’s often an afterthought for GWE and my clients have been exclusively word-of-mouth for decades. My specialties include health and managed care markets, field sales and management, and IT, but I’ve also helped clients in other industries (entertainment, teaching, design, inside sales, and office).
Words Edited Per Year
1.5 Million
Words Written Per Year
1/2 Million
Fiction Projects Edited
1560
Academic Projects Edited
965
Resumes Completed
840
What Clients Have To Say
San Diego Imagery
Author Interviews
Coming Last
Quarter 2024
Our editors at Goldenwest Editing are both authors and editors. As such, we understand the struggles writers can face when handing over their hard work to someone else. We’ve been there and we know what it feels like. That said, we also understand the rigors a manuscript can go through before it’s accepted for publication.
If this is your first time working with an editor, it’s important to understand that when we edit a document, we do so with the understanding that you won’t be sitting next to every reader explaining any issues or clarifying vague concepts. Reducing your level of emotional attachment will help you through the editing process and make it seem less overwhelming. We are your ally in this process and we want you to succeed.
Our first goal is always to satisfy the clients’ needs completely, within budget and on deadline. We do that by establishing and diligently maintaining the level of relationship that keeps our clients returning. Client satisfaction with every project is our priority.
Goldenwest Editing has always been headquartered in Southern California, offering editorial and writing services on a global level. We have a variety of regular clients that include fiction and creative nonfiction authors (both new and established), technology consultants, magazine publishers, NGOs, academic professionals, students, universities, casinos, and other businesses.
We are always happy to speak with our clients by phone or video to discuss needs, project progress and any concerns. However, given our global clientele and the fact that many of our clients are in different time zones, we find that email is the best communication format as it allows for a trackable communication process and ensures that all decisions are in writing.
After initial contact and discussion, usually by email, we will come to a mutual agreement on documents to be edited, timeframe and cost. We can prepare a contract outlining everything we will do and/or a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). We only accept documents as electronic files, preferably Microsoft Word. All documents are edited in Word using track changes. This allows our clients to review our work and accept/decline our edit suggestions. We also use the comment tool to point out areas that need clarification or to ask questions.
Our payment process varies based on client. For those from academic or civil institutions or larger publishers with an established vendor process, we will usually bill upon completion with payment made by wire transfer within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. For non-institutional and first-time clients, a non-refundable deposit of 50% is required before any work is started and the completed project will not be released until final payment is made. Work on resumes does not begin until full payment has been made.
Our preferred method of payment is PayPal (credit card or e-check) or Venmo (if you’re in the U.S.) for smaller projects. For domestic checks sent by mail, work does not begin until funds have cleared. For those on a limited budget, payment plans are available and payment can be broken out into smaller increments based on the amount of work completed but the final project will not be released until full payment is made. There are no refunds on work completed and failure to comply with terms may result in a breach of contract.
For more information or to obtain a price quote on your project, please contact us at:
info (@) goldenwestediting.com.
Pricing Disclaimer: Prices may change without notice, but once a manuscript has been submitted, assuming the scope of the project hasn’t changed, the rates remain in effect until the project is completed.
Why Choose Goldenwest Editing ?
Our editors at Goldenwest Editing are both authors and editors. As such, we understand the struggles writers can face when handing over their hard work to someone else. We’ve been there and we know what it feels like. That said, we also understand the rigors a manuscript can go through before it’s accepted for publication.
If this is your first time working with an editor, it’s important to understand that when we edit a document, we do so with the understanding that you won’t be sitting next to every reader explaining any issues or clarifying vague concepts. Reducing your level of emotional attachment will help you through the editing process and make it seem less overwhelming. We are your ally in this process and we want you to succeed.
Our first goal is always to satisfy the clients’ needs completely, within budget and on deadline. We do that by establishing and diligently maintaining the level of relationship that keeps our clients returning. Client satisfaction with every project is our priority.
Professional Qualifications
30 years’ experience in the publishing industry, 25 years in professional editing, 20 years in academic editing, and 16 years in fiction editing.
Global Services
GWE offers editorial and writing services on a global level. We have a variety of regular clients that include fiction and creative nonfiction authors (both new and established), technology consultants, magazine publishers, NGOs, academic professionals, students, universities, casinos and other businesses.
Headquartered in Southern California
Our first goal is always to satisfy the clients’ needs completely, within budget and on deadline. We do that by establishing and diligently maintaining the level of relationship that keeps our clients returning. Client satisfaction with every project is our priority. Goldenwest Editing has always been headquartered in Southern California.
Communication Preferences
We are always happy to speak with our clients by phone or video to discuss needs, project progress and any concerns. However, given our global clientele and the fact that many of our clients are in different time zones, we find that email is the best communication format as it allows for a trackable communication process and ensures that all decisions are in writing.
Process
After initial contact and discussion, usually by email, we will come to a mutual agreement on documents to be edited, timeframe and cost. We can prepare a contract outlining everything we will do and/or a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). We only accept documents as electronic files, preferably Microsoft Word. All documents are edited in Word using track changes. This allows our clients to review our work and accept/decline our edit suggestions. We also use the comment tool to point out areas that need clarification or to ask questions.
Payment Process
Our payment process varies based on client. For those from academic or civil institutions or larger publishers with an established vendor process, we will usually bill upon completion with payment made by wire transfer within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. For non-institutional and first-time clients, a non-refundable deposit of 50% is required before any work is started and the completed project will not be released until final payment is made. Work on resumes does not begin until full payment has been made.
Our preferred method of payment is PayPal (credit card or e-check) or Venmo (if you’re in the U.S.) for smaller projects. For domestic checks sent by mail, work does not begin until funds have cleared. For those on a limited budget, payment plans are available and payment can be broken out into smaller increments based on the amount of work completed but the final project will not be released until full payment is made. There are no refunds on work completed and failure to comply with terms may result in a breach of contract.
For more information or to obtain a price quote on your project, please contact us at:
info (@) goldenwestediting.com.
Pricing Disclaimer: Prices may change without notice, but once a manuscript has been submitted, assuming the scope of the project hasn’t changed, the rates remain in effect until the project is completed.