About Melissa

I believe in the power of storytelling to change lives. That’s why I've remained passionate after two decades as a publishing professional. It’s been my privilege over the years to help authors find the heart of their story–sometimes by helping them create a compelling nonfiction outline and a proposal that represents their idea better than they knew possible, sometimes by a phone call that unlocks a sticky plot point in their novel, or sometimes by lending them the words when they don’t have them with a ghostwrite. 

I’m a visual thinker and words are my medium. With nonfiction, I love creating order out of chaos, finding the main idea and visualizing a structure for how to best express it. When it comes to fiction, I edit with an emphasis on emotion and pacing, looking for ways to elicit feeling and have good movement. No matter the project, I draw on my experience as an acquisitions editor, asking–what would make a reader want to keep reading? What feels special here? Where will this fit in the market and how can I help this author make it stand out?

connect with Melissa

I enjoy helping thought leaders, spiritual and wellness teachers, psychologists, influencers, and novelists access the heart of their story and achieve their publishing goals. I’m interested in many topics, and have worked on a wide range of fiction and self-improvement/wellness titles in many capacities including acquiring, editing, establishing brands, and leading teams. I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College and BA from Sarah Lawrence College. As an award-winning author myself, I understand what it means to nurture an author’s vision and listen to their needs.

Melissa Valentine, Editor and Ghostwriter, headshot

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband and two kids. When I’m not reading, writing, or editing, I love exploring the natural beauty of Northern California, jogging, cooking, and spending quality time with my family. Write me today—I’d love to hear about your work and see how we can work together.

Expertise

In NONFICTION, my areas of expertise include:

  • Prescriptive/Self-Help (including trade and workbooks)

  • Spirituality

  • Wellness

  • Psychology

  • Race & Culture

  • Memoir

  • Prescriptive books for kids 

In FICTION, my areas of expertise include:

  • Commercial Fiction

  • Book Club Fiction

  • Historical Fiction

  • Literary Fiction 

let’s work together