About
Let me introduce myself.
I’m Amelia Winters, a professional fiction editor, language nerd, and story aficionado. By night, I chase stories and explore distant worlds through books, role-playing games, and sewing my own historical garments. By day, I journey with authors to help them hone their story craft, elevate their voice, and polish their prose.
Though Canadian, I grew up overseas in the desert of Doha, Qatar. I’m currently back in the great white north and based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
You can keep reading to learn more about my professional qualifications and whether my background and approach is the right fit for you and your story.
Training & Qualifications
The foundation of my training is my Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the Canadian Mennonite University, for which I received a 4.0 GPA. In those four years, I didn’t just study literary analysis but also linguistics and creative writing, which gave me a broad and strong foundation in both language and story craft.
After university, I also pursued these professional development courses to prepare me for fiction editing specifically:
- Stylistic Editing Standards, Queens University
- Copy Editing Standards, Queens University
- Tea and Commas: The Foundations of Line and Copy-Editing Fiction, Liminal Pages
- Developmental Editing: In Theory, Liminal Pages
- Developmental Editing: In Practice, Liminal Pages
During my time in university, I also spent seven months working as an editorial assistant at a local press. Since then, I’ve started my own business and have been working directly with authors for over two years. I’m also a member of Editors Canada and a partner member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.
How I’ll Handle Your Story
I know that handing your story over to an editor can be a nerve-wracking experience. Here’s what you need to know about how I’ll handle your story.
My approach is not to dictate but to teach. I take great care to explain any issues at hand so you can find your own solutions if my suggested ones don’t sit right with you. I’m here to partner with you and give you the tools you need to strengthen your story and sentences while still holding true to your vision and unique voice.
I always endeavor to be both honest and sensitive. I’ll be honest about where you can improve and where your writing is already strong. Constructive compliments can be just as helpful as constructive criticism.
I’m a writer too. I understand the emotional roller coaster that writing a book can take you on, and I’m here to encourage and support you on that journey.
Got Questions for an Editor?
I’m here and happy to help! Just send me a note and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.