Free Sample Edit
Free Sample Edit

Cozy copy editing and proofreading

Need help clearing up comma clutter, pruning plot holes, and tidying the timeline?

As a copy editor and proofreader, I come in after self-editing or developmental/line editing to consistify (okay, it's not a word in Merriam-Webster; you caught me!), identify inconsistencies, point out plot holes, and give the style and grammar a full going-over to ensure word-perfect polish for self-publishing or querying.

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Sarah Schedler, editor for indie authors, poses for a photo next to a statue of Paddington Bear.
Sarah Schedler, editor for indie authors, poses for a photo next to a statue of Paddington Bear.

Hi, I'm Sarah!

What I do

Copy editing
Proofreading
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Contemporary fiction

Women’s fiction and “chick lit”

  • (We're reclaiming these terms; of course fiction written by and for women is simply fiction, albeit with themes of family relationships, womanhood, and love, but this gives you a sense of what I love to read and edit.)

Young adult

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A final, technical edit focused on the nitty-gritty.

I deliver a final, word-perfect draft free of all stray commas, typos, inaccuracies, and formatting errors. (Includes no suggestions related to style, sentence structure, or flow.)

My favorite genres

A deep grammatical edit for overall writing quality and consistency.

I ensure the language is polished, clear, and consistent to clear up wordiness, unintentional shifts in verb tense, grammar, and word choice. Includes a stylesheet!

Contemporary romance

  • Any and all LGBTQ+ romance

  • Multicultural romance

  • Sports romance

  • Romcom

  • Second chance romance

  • Spicy romance

  • Holiday romance

  • Paranormal romance

  • Romantic suspense

  • Dark romance

Mystery

  • Amateur detective

  • Cozy mystery

  • Private detective

  • Ro-mystery (romantic mystery)

  • Thriller

Not my cup of tea: Historical fiction/historical romance, high fantasy, sci-fi.

While these aren’t genres I specialize in, I am happy to refer you to editor colleagues who work in these genres, so please reach out anyway if you want recommendations of vetted, experienced editors.

“From the very first interaction, I could tell it was a match made in Heaven because Sarah instantly felt like a friend and someone I could trust with my manuscript.”

— Cassie Truett, author of the Whittaker Ranch series

Author testimonial

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Professionally trained copy editor

Certificates and Training (click to enlarge)

★ Participant in Story-Relief Co-op (pro bono editing services)

★ Listed in Indie Book Directory's Vetted Providers Program

★ Professional memberships:

  • Bay Area Editors' Forum

  • Club Ed

  • Editors Tea Club

★ Top Rated on Upwork, with a 100% Job Success Score for 5 years

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★ Fiction copy editing:

  • Club Ed: Beginning Copyediting for Fiction

  • Louise Harnby: Switching to Fiction (copy/line editing)

★ General copy editing:

  • Certificate in Editing from the American Copy Editors Society

  • Intermediate Certificate in Editing from the American Copy Editors Society

Sarah Schedler, book editor, poses smiling with her face poking through a wooden cut-out.
Sarah Schedler, book editor, poses smiling with her face poking through a wooden cut-out.

I've been editing full-time since 2021. (Taking the leap and quitting my 9-to-5 was the best decision I ever made!)

I earned my Certificate in Editing from the American Copy Editors Society in 2021, and completed the Intermediate Certificate in Editing in 2026, among several other courses and trainings. I've worked with authors on a whole host of genres, from self-published WLW ro-mystery fiction and cowboy romance to publishing-house nonfiction and self-help guides.

I know how much trust it takes to hand your writing to someone else, and I don’t take that lightly. Communication is a big deal to me, so I take the time to do free sample edits and chat with you to understand your story, vision, and goals to make sure we’re on the same page.

Background image of floral wallpaper offsetting an author review of Sarah's editing work.
Background image of floral wallpaper offsetting an author review of Sarah's editing work.

LOVED working with Sarah. Amazing, easy-going energy, yet absolutely on point, on time, and precise with her superpower proofreading.

Excellent and friendly communication, speedy smooth work, easy-going to work with, accurate and awesome. Recommending Sarah to all my other book author clients who need a proofreader!

Five white stars in a row, indicating a five-star review of Sarah's editing work by author Noi L.
Five white stars in a row, indicating a five-star review of Sarah's editing work by author Noi L.

– Astrid Mueller, author of Permission to Sparkle

A photo of the editor's light brown, short-haired dog playing in green grass with a big dog smile.
A photo of the editor's light brown, short-haired dog playing in green grass with a big dog smile.

Meet the editor

Hi! I’m Sarah—bookworm, California girl, recovering perfectionist. I LOVE to read and geek out about characters, story arcs, and grammar, so this truly is my dream job! I offer copy editing and proofreading services for fiction authors (but I've been known to edit nonfiction here and there!).

One of my favorite things about editing for indie authors is reading and editing all kinds of stories, though I have a special soft spot for romance and mystery.

When I’m not editing, you’ll probably find me reading (obviously!), walking my dog Patti (pictured right), keeping up with NBA basketball (Go Nuggets!), or experimenting with just how many ways I can combine pasta and cheese before it stops being incredible. (It hasn’t so far.)

The editor (above) and her editorial assistant, Patti (below)

Author Testimonial

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Get in touch

Have a question? Ready to hire an editor? Fill out my contact form to tell me a bit about your project, and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.

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