THE EDITOR

I’m Brooke Maddaford, the owner of Word Hawk Editing, LLC. I’m so glad you stopped by!

I bring 20 years of professional editorial experience and was formerly an editor at a Big 5 publishing house. 

I specialize in strengthening an author's voice, content, and intention while enhancing and clarifying the writing.

I edit nonfiction and fiction books as well as other written materials (see below). My favorite books to edit are ones that teach us something, make us think, or offer a new perspective. Go here to see some books I've edited in the past.

I also edit short stories, query letters, proposals, dissertations, monographs, business materials, website content, legal/policy pieces, medical white papers, resumes/cover letters, essays, and everything in between. 

Read what past clients say about what it's like to work with me as their editor.  

I answer Frequently Asked Questions here. If you have another question, please don't hesitate to email me. I genuinely love helping authors however I can. 

HOW I WORK

As your editor, I will ensure that your unique voice echos throughout your manuscript so that your message can resonate cleanly and consistently.

I'm a full-time freelance editor who wholeheartedly believes that the author/editor relationship must be a collaborative and respectful partnership in order to produce a successful book. My role as your editor is to offer editorial suggestions for improvement while holding reverence for the creative process. You, the author, are the creator and I respect that immensely. It’s not my job to make your book sound like anyone except you wrote it—including me! Instead, I will help shape your manuscript into its most polished and truest form. 

All edits are made using Track Changes so that you, the author, have full agency over all editorial suggestions. 

There is nothing I love more than helping bring books to life.

Is yours next?

THREE REASONS TO WORK WITH ME

1. Because I offer my clients the trained eye of a former editor of a Big 5 publishing house.

2. Because I have a proven track record of editing bestselling authors who go on to successfully publish books. (One book I edited is now a Netflix Original Movie!)

3. Because I'm passionate about working with authors at all levels, from indie to famous, and bringing words to life.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

The Big Picture

I'm a former editor of a Big 5 publishing house. I offer my clients 9 years of in-house editorial publishing experience and 16 years of freelance experience. I'm a full-time freelance editor, which means that your project will get my full attention. 

The Details

After graduating from Cornell College on the Dean's List with a double major in English and Communications, I attended the University of Denver's Publishing Institute--one of only two such programs in the United States.  

My publishing career began in Chicago (my hometown) in the editorial department of an independent publishing house that publishes "cutting-edge" fiction and nonfiction trade books. ("Trade" books are those intended for general readers.) From there, I worked my way up the ranks of an imprint at a Big 5 house  where I served for many years as an editor who was responsible for developing books that generated around $1.5 million a year.

I'm a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and the founder of the EFA's Colorado chapter. I'm also a member of ACES: The Society for Editing and Golden Women in Business, and I’m the former Vice President of the Denver chapter of Business & Professional Women. 

WHAT ELSE?

In my spare time, I love to hike and camp in the Rocky Mountains with my husband and son and our pup, read books from the stack beside my bed, drink margaritas (on the rocks with salt), garden, and travel.