Book Publishing Freelancers from Diverse Communities Database

Emily Schultz Freelance Writer, Editor, Reviewer

Passionate about storytelling of all kinds, Emily is a recent BA graduate with a degree in Creative Writing and Cultural Studies from UBC Okanagan. Her work has appeared in fiction anthologies, newspaper, and on the screen. She has past experience working as a university-level writing consultant; and currently reviews books on digital platforms like Netgalley and Instagram. She is in the process of completing the Publishing Certificate offered at Ryerson University.
Location
Calgary, AB
Communities Represented
Queer (Bi/Pan), Disabled (Chronic Illness)
Skill Sets
Copy Editor, Manuscript Reviewer, Proofreader, Development Editor
Genre of Experience
Website
www.linkedin.com/in/emily-schultz-453921160
emsnovelidea.wordpress.com/

Davis G. See Freelance Writer/Editor

I am a graduate of the Bachelor of Communication Studies program at MacEwan University, where I was also a founding member of the Bolo Time Collective, MacEwan’s creative writing club. The Collective publishes an annual anthology, for which I have served as fiction and poetry editor. I have work in WestWord Magazine, Crab Fat Magazine, and other publications, and serve as writer for the upcoming mobile game OtherWordly. In 2020 I was chosen as an Edmonton Public Library Featured Writer.

Email: seedavisg@gmail.com

Location
Edmonton, AB
Communities Represented
Gay
Skill Sets
Developmental Editor, Copy Editor, Proofreader, Writer
Genre of Experience
Young Adult - Fiction, Adult - Fiction, Poetry, Interactive literature/video games
Website
davisgsee.itch.io/

Tumaini Shoo Copywriter

I am a dynamic freelance copywriter with a strong foundation in creating compelling content for meal delivery brands. With experience crafting persuasive copy and expertise in headlines, direct mail, and email campaigns, I specialize in driving engagement and delivering results.

My professional background spans international development research, nonprofit event management, and sales, equipping me with a unique perspective and adaptability in my work. Beyond copywriting, I offer services in editing, proofreading, and sensitivity reading, ensuring messaging that is polished and inclusive. I also specialize in academia, crafting clear and impactful research summaries and academic communications.

As an accomplished photographer, I leverage my creative eye to tell stories visually, complementing my written work. My approach is inspired by a passion for landscapes, landmarks, and living history, creating a cohesive blend of creativity and storytelling.

Email: tumaini.shoo@gmail.com

Location
Ontario
Communities Represented
Canadian, BIPOC, Swahili People, Immigrants, Hetero Women, Muslims, Corporate, NPO
Skill Sets
Sensitivity Reader, Copy Editor, Proofreader, Photographer, Copywriter
Genre of Experience
Children's - Fiction, Children's - Non-fiction, Young Adult - Fiction, Young Adult - Non-fiction, Adult - Fiction, Adult - Non-fiction, Academic/Scholarly, Educational (K-12), Higher Educational (College, University, etc.), Poetry, Drama, Cookbooks
Website
tumainishoo.wixsite.com/tumainishoo

Jolene Sim Freelance Writer and Editor

Email: amarie7989@gmail.com

Location
Communities Represented
Asian, South East Asian, LGBTQA+, Mental Health
Skill Sets
Manuscript Reviewer, Sensitivity Reader, Translator, Copy Editor, Proofreader
Genre of Experience
Young Adult - Fiction, Adult - Fiction, Academic/Scholarly, Higher Educational (College, University, etc.)

sb. smith Freelance Writer and Editor

I am a writer, editor, artist, and academic living on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land (known as Vancouver, British Columbia). I was the editor of Disabled Voices Anthology (Rebel Mountain Press, 2020), and my writing and/or artwork has been published in Maclean’s, Arc Poetry Magazine, anti-lang., Five Dials, Rooted in Rights, Portal, Burning Jade Magazine, Sad Girl Review, Navigator Student Press, and more.
My pronouns are she and they. I am a fat, genderqueer, bisexual, mad, and disabled person of poor, chronically-ill Scottish and Irish descent.
I am an interdisciplinary culture worker centring disabled narratives (of my own experience, primarily). I approach all my work using a disability justice theoretical framework and strive to create work for other disabled people to meaningfully engage with.

Location
Vancouver, BC
Communities Represented
Fat, disabled, queer
Skill Sets
Copy Editor, Manuscript Reviewer, Proofreader, Sensitivity Reader
Genre of Experience
Academic/Scholarly, Adult - Fiction, Adult - Non-fiction, Drama, Poetry, Young Adult - Fiction, Scripts for podcasts/radio
Website
www.sb-smith.com
sb-smith.com/work/

Mary Kay Stam Art Director/Editor

Mary Kay Stam has 20 years’ experience in print and digital design, 12 of them as an art director,00 which includes copy writing and editing. An award-winning fine artist, she’s shown her work in Los Angeles galleries and illustrated many books. She is currently freelancing for Acute by Design publishing, editing, designing and illustrating children’s books, fiction and young adult fiction.

Email: mk@stam-art.com

Location
Los Angeles, CA
Communities Represented
Women, Artists
Skill Sets
Manuscript Reviewer, Copy Editor, Typesetter, Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Art Director
Genre of Experience
Children's - Fiction, Young Adult - Fiction, Adult - Fiction, Adult - Non-fiction
Website
stam-art.com/

John Elizabeth Stintzi Freelance Editor, Freelance Cover Designer, Freelance Illustrator

I’m an award winning novelist and poet and designer. I’m the author of the novels MY VOLCANO and VANISHING MONUMENTS (both Arsenal Pulp in Canada), and the poetry collection JUNEBAT (Anansi). I collaborated with Arsenal for the cover of VANISHING MONUMENTS (the illustration is my own) and designed the US cover of my novel MY VOLCANO (Two Dollar Radio). I’ve done a lot of cover and book design work in smaller capacities, for instance for an art-project by Hazel Jane Plante called Miscellanious Kisses, and various chapbooks and magazines in undergrad. Most recently, I did a cover for a forthcoming poetry collection from Coffee House Press.

In terms of editorial work, I’ve been teaching writing for the last 5 years, and have edited books for Arsenal Pulp (poetry) and Book*hug Press (fiction). I also edit poetry for Contemporary Verse 2, and have read and worked on various other magazines over the years. I am friendly to more experimental and queer fiction, as well as more traditional work, and am particularly interested in helping trans and queer authors with their work, but am open minded to all kinds of books, so long as they are a strong fit for my editorial vision.

Email: johnstintzi@gmail.com

Location
Canadian citizen living and working in the US
Communities Represented
Trans, Non-binary, Queer
Skill Sets
Developmental Editor, Illustrator, Graphic Designer, Photographer
Genre of Experience
Adult - Fiction, Poetry
Website
johnelizabethstintzi.com/book-design-portfolio

Justin Stoller Freelance Editor and Writer

For fifteen years, I worked as an acquiring (signing) editor for large trade book publishers in Canada, specializing in narrative nonfiction. I’ve successfully published bestselling and award-winning books in various genres, including memoir and biography, sports, humour, politics, policy, history, culture, arts, and more. I’m a life-long learner and generalist and I enjoy helping authors figure out what they want most to say and how best to say it. I’m also an experienced academic editor, having worked on various scholarly articles for publication in journals. And I edit/write official reports and professional communications for businesses, governments, etc.

Email: Justinmarkstoller@gmail.com

Location
Hamilton, ON
Communities Represented
Jewish, socialist
Skill Sets
Manuscript Reviewer, Developmental Editor, Copy Editor, Proofreader
Genre of Experience
Adult - Non-fiction, Academic/Scholarly, Higher Educational (College, University, etc.)
Website
www.renegadewriter.info/

Rachel Taylor Freelance Book Editor

I’m a copy editor and proofreader with twenty years of experience. My interests include short fiction, autobiography, and scholarly nonfiction. I’m best known for my work with books by and about Indigenous people.

I’m proud of my work on the award-winning nonfiction titles Aki-wayn-zih: A Person as Worthy as the Earth by Eli Baxter and Cold Case North: The Search for James Brady and Absolom Halkett by Michael Nest, Deanna Reder, and Eric Bell. I love editing fiction such as The Night Piece by André Alexis and Satellite Love by Genki Ferguson, as well as multidisciplinary works such as the award-winning NISHGA by Jordan Abel. My portfolio is available at banoong.ca/selected-projects.

I completed the Master of Publishing program at Simon Fraser University and enjoyed a work placement with Theytus Books. A version of my graduate thesis, “Gathering Knowledges to Inform Best Practices in Indigenous Publishing,” was published in ARIEL: A Review of International English Literature.

Please get in touch via my website, banoong.ca.

Location
Vancouver Island (Stz'uminus Territory), BC
Communities Represented
Indigenous; Inuit/Inuk; Iñupiaq; Alaskan Native
Skill Sets
Copy Editor, Proofreader
Genre of Experience
Adult - Fiction, Adult - Non-fiction, Academic/Scholarly, Educational (K-12), Higher Educational (College, University, etc.), Higher Educational (College, University, etc.)
Website
www.banoong.ca

Paula Telizyn Freelance Book Cover Designer & Typesetter

I’m a recent graduate of Humber College’s postgraduate Creative Book Publishing program, with honours, but I have decades of design experience. I’m fully verse in working both to print specifications, and digital requirements.

I specialize in creating covers with strong typography or illustrative elements, creating eye-catching covers that will make customers pick up and buy your books.

Need typesetting? I do that too. I lay out text so that your readers won’t notice it; they’ll stay immersed in the experience of reading, never giving the book design a single thought.

Fonts and any stock elements will be commercially licensed. Source files (Illustrator/InDesign + fonts) provided as needed.

Email: hello@PaulaTelizyn.com

Location
London, ON
Communities Represented
LGBTQIA2S+, Women
Skill Sets
Typesetter, Graphic Designer
Genre of Experience
Young Adult - Fiction, Young Adult - Non-fiction, Adult - Fiction, Adult - Non-fiction, Academic/Scholarly, Higher Educational (College, University, etc.), Poetry, Drama, Cookbooks
Website
paulatelizyn.com
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