Rachel Zakuta
Member of SFWA
Services
Book Coaching
Developmental Editing
Line Editing
Genres
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Mystery/Thriller
Audiences
Adult
Teen
Young Adult
Middle Grade
Because I bring more than twenty years’ experience as a teacher to my coaching, you will gain skills in writing and revision to carry with you into your next work through working with me on a project. I will help you hone your own unique voice and tell the story you feel compelled to tell. Wherever you are in the process of novel-writing, from planning to polishing, I can help you take the next step. I specialize in editing speculative fiction novel manuscripts from middle grade to adult: finding places where the craft can be improved; posing questions to spark reflection; sharing tricks of the trade that have worked for me. I like to work collaboratively, incorporating phone calls to hear your thoughts and goals as well as providing written feedback. I welcome the opportunity to work with authors from diverse backgrounds and authors with disabilities.
Credentials
BACHELORS OF ARTS IN ENGLISH
Yale University 1999
GPA: 3.9
MASTER’S OF EDUCATION
Boston College 2004
GPA: 4.0
MASTER’S OF FINE ARTS IN CREATIVE WRITING
SNHU Expected: 2024
Selected Edited Works
Johnston, Janet. “Lune Blue.” Analog Science Fiction and Fact. 2013.
Kaplan, Aline. “The Broadcast Circle.” Ghosts: An Anthology of Horror from the Beyond. 2015.
McGillicuddy, Shamus. “The Hole Tree.” The Weird and Whatnot. 2021.
Sidari, Joseph. “Stockholm 2066.” Brain Games: Stories to Astonish. 2020.
Contact Me
Let’s create something amazing.
Rachel is a superb manuscript editor with a comprehensive grasp of the English language. She edited all 80 chapeters of my current novel, which is about to go to my agent, and 23 chapters of another novel in progress. I trust Rachel to see the big picture in terms of plot, characterization, pacing, and description. I also know that she will pick up on the details, should there be errors in grammar, spelling, and/or punctuation. If anyone were to ask me to recommend a manuscript editor, I would not hesitate to send them to Rachel.
— Aline Kaplan, author of World Spirits and Khyren
Rachel Zakuta 