For Publishers
I specialize in the developmental editing of memoir and non-fiction, although I have also offered proofreading and substantive and copy-editing services for academic and trade publishing for ten years. My work ethic is predicated on precise attention to detail as well as the importance of maintaining the writer’s voice. I ensure the texts I edit are grammatically correct, polished, and maintain structural integrity. When I proofread, I am known to catch small details such as an unruly bold period or a section of text with slightly different tracking.
For Writers
My specialization is in the developmental editing of memoir and non-fiction. I will help you shape and polish your manuscript, no matter what stage it might be in. I can also help identify and strengthen the most important elements of your book, which will better position you as you begin to approach publishers.
I also offer developmental and copy edits for query letters, book synopses, other creative work, website content, press releases, CVs, school and funding applications, manuals, and everything in between.
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"Special thanks to my amazing editor Holly Vestad who expertly wove my thematically linked short stories into a seamless chronological memoir. Holly got into my id, persona, and psyche, preserved the poetry... and championed my voice as a Mad Artist by remaining faithful to the vision of my 28-year journey of recovery from mental illness. My writing is very sensorial and cinematic, influenced by my background as a filmmaker. Holly understood the importance of this and preserved my cinematic approach to storytelling. Holly spoke in cinematic tropes and had the brilliant idea of starting the memoir with a prologue — flash forwarding to the climax scene — then following the rest of the story in chronological order until we encounter the climax scene later in the memoir. She gave examples of films that used this storytelling device to powerful effect. As a result of the cinematic storytelling in the memoir, a Singapore TV producer is interested in adapting my memoir into a TV series.
Holly has an uncanny empathetic and intuitive understanding of the complex subject matter of mental illness, namely manic depression, also known as bipolar mood disorder. She also has an uncanny, intuitive, and almost extrasensory truth and lie detector, sensing what was true and what was hyperbole and kept me honest to my experience as a person living with a mental illness... Holly’s work ethic is second to none. The speed by which she works is breathtaking. Despite the speed of her work, she never compromises on the quality. Holly is a perfectionist, always producing results of the highest caliber. I was privileged to work with Holly on the substantive edit which was one of the most rewarding collaborations I’ve ever experienced with an editor.”
Kagan Goh, Surviving Samsara, shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in the English Creative Nonfiction category
"I hired Holly to copyedit my manuscript, and her consummate professionalism, efficiency, and expertise transformed it from draft to finished copy. In addition to her thorough knowledge of style and house form(s), Holly's careful and insightful reading alerted me to many parts of the manuscript that needed clarity and revision. I am extremely grateful for her work and would hire her again."
Tabitha Sparks, associate professor of English, Victorian Metafiction
"I had to submit a manuscript for an article in English (my second language) and I was not fully confident about the result. I hired Holly to edit my text and was elated by the result. Holly was thorough and generous in her corrections, comments and observations. I really feel that she understood my text and what I was going for in my writing, and helped me achieve a clarity and precision of thought I could not have reached on my own. If you're looking for someone who will limit themselves to a cursory reading of your text to spellcheck, look somewhere else; Holly can and will assuredly do more than that."
Gabriel Tremblay-Gaudette, professor of literature, Université Téluq
"I was having a hard time finding an editor at McGill's Writing Centre who could jump into my work with speed and help me make my writing more accessible and concise. I had great success working with Holly and even surprised my advisor with the quality of work produced working with her. She has a gift for understanding where the piece needs to go while maintaining the author's voice, even on technically complex pieces. It was a joy working with her and I cannot recommend her enough."
Dr. Isadora Borges Monroy, political science PhD, McGill, and Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship member
"Holly is the best editor I have worked with. Academic English has specific requirements which differ greatly from the way I write in my native tongue. Working with Holly helped me understand how to build a simple and effective structure as well as to simplify my sentences by cutting them shorter.
During an online editing workshop, we both work simultaneously on the same document. Working this way allows me to visualize where improvements can be made, and to integrate Holly's feedback in real-time. She also asks questions about my text, which allows me to clarify my ideas and my intentions. Working with Holly has reconciled me with academic writing and encouraged me to meet my writing goals. She has very strong editing skills and is enthusiastic and lovely to work with. I highly recommend working with Holly for anyone wishing to improve the clarity and flow of their academic English."
Amélie Ward, filmmaker, PhD
"I am amazed by your expertise: even Denys and Calvin would approve of your grace-emanating capacity of accommodating. What is more, you are turning pumpkins into carriages, intellectually, of course."
Erika Qian Liang, master's student, McGill University's religious studies department
"The truest ambition I have had in my life has been to write. I wanted to join the ranks of those authors who cultivate and distill their voices to be immediately recognizable, poignant, powerful, revered, and respected. As I embarked on publishing my first book, I came to understand that a great writer is only as good as their editor. The ideas and vision, passion, and voice can exist in the author’s mind and pen, can pour out in fits and tumbles onto the page and be great, but the eye of a strong editor can make that same work extraordinary. The editing process at Caitlin Press, working in close and collaborative contact with my editor, Holly Vestad, developing a professional relationship, feeling heard and understood, has been one of those experiences that allowed me to push myself farther than I believed I could go, to organize my thoughts and concentrate my voice into a package that might allow the world to access the deepest recesses of my mind. We came to that point where the entire manuscript felt complete, honest, and moving, after my words had been pushed, my form questioned, and the structure of the piece reorganized for stronger effect. My style, voice, message, and all that was there on the page and inside me, through the magic of an editor’s encouragement and keen eye for word choice, scarcity, detail, and where might be the best place to include a comma, had developed into literature."
Natalie Virginia Lang, Remnants
"My editor, Holly Vestad, has been gently guiding me through the process of discovering my authentic voice as a writer. At once reflective and inquisitive, she asks the questions that help me distinguish personal truth from stylistic affectation. She challenges me to account for how my language will affect the reader, as I move beyond my habitual ways of thinking. My growth as a writer owes a lot to her discipline, her rigorous command of syntax, and her imagination."
Keiko Honda, Accidental Blooms
"Holly took time to understand the work and my intentions. She provided line-by-line edits, and analysed the manuscript for coherence, themes, strengths and flaws. Holly’s constructive and prescriptive feedback was extremely helpful in taking the work to a higher standard and closer to completion. My collaboration with Holly has been satisfying and productive, and I look forward to working with her on future projects."
Fraser Mackay
"As a new writer, I needed to work with an editor that was patient and understanding. I asked a million and one questions and Holly was responsive and professional with every answer she provided. I appreciated her mentorship, thoroughness, and insight. She was able to review my manuscript on two separate occasions to ensure it still reflected my views and personality — and to ensure I was happy with her first review. Her editing style is perfect and I highly recommend her to anyone interested in working with someone thoughtful and professional, who also has an outstanding ability to edit at the highest level, and yet insightful enough to protect your voice."
Colonel Andre E. Salloum, Canadian Armed Forces
"I am thrilled to wholeheartedly recommend Holly as an editor extraordinaire. As a dyslexic, emerging author who recently completed my very first manuscript, I have found Holly to be been an absolute godsend. Her meticulous attention to detail and unwavering dedication to helping authors see their words in print are nothing short of exceptional. With her professional guidance, my manuscript has transformed from a rough draft into a polished gem, and I couldn't have achieved this without her invaluable support.
"Holly's expertise not only improved the overall quality of my work but also boosted my confidence as a writer. Thanks to her, I am now sending my manuscript out to literary agents. If you're in search of a dedicated and skilled editor who will go the extra mile to help you realize your authorial dreams, Holly is the one to trust. Her passion for the written word is palpable, and her impact on your manuscript will be nothing short of transformative."
Anonymous author who wishes to share her name once her manuscript is accepted for publication
"When I began working on editing my manuscript with developmental editor Holly Vestad, I felt I had truly arrived in the most capable hands in the publishing industry. Holly’s sensitivity, efficiency and genuine interest in my story, her guidance, her patience and her unique ability to make my story flow to engage the reader, never failed to amaze me. Holly played with my manuscript as though she was fine tuning a precious instrument, and she played it so beautifully, I hope the world will want to listen."
Susan Blacklin, co-founder of Safe Drinking Water Foundation and author of Water Confidential: A Memoir about First Nations’ Drinking Water and Justice Denied
"Holly has been absolutely wonderful to work with. She has brought professionalism, empathy and curiosity to the project, which shows in her work. Holly turned a small idea from a first-time writer into something that is now being sent to publishers and she has been supportive on every step of that process. I couldn't be more grateful to have found Holly and had her help on this journey."
Ella, "That Day"
"Holly helped me see things in my work and process that I couldn't see on my own. Her honesty and ability to 'push' me was refreshing. Our collaboration resulted in my stronger understanding of query letters and my own work. I will say that I had attended many Reedsy webinars about query letters, done my own investigation, read books, and stalked agents. But, without the help of an editorial review, I don't think I would have seen some of my specific, personalized gaps. I was hesitant to invest this money but I would do it again in a heartbeat... and you should consider it, too!"
Samantha Harden, PhD, 500RYT, Director, Physical Activity Research and Community Implementation Laboratory; Associate Professor Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Virginia Tech.
"Holly helped me identify the point of my project. Her feedback has been accurate and helpful. As I go through my final edit before querying, I am feeling gratitude for her heartfelt contribution."
"After working on a creative piece with Holly, my external readers commented on how much it improved, from a 'good' story to 'excellent' or 'phenomenal.' I must attribute those compliments to her! Holly's insights into the structure, style, and missing elements completely elevated my work, as well as my skills as a writer. The editing process has been so much fun, and I'm so glad I found Holly to share that with!"
Rebecca Pearce (PhD), Geophysicist and Renewable Energy Research Fellow