Hi, I'm Erika Steeves.

I help indie authors of speculative fiction publish books they can be proud of.
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It’s my mission as a copyeditor to help you feel confident in publishing your novel. Work with me to ensure your writing is as immersive, consistent, and clear as possible so you can publish the very best version of your manuscript.
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I can’t wait to work with her for my next novel!

“Working with Erika was so helpful in polishing my novel. I think the edits are marvelous and made the story much sharper and engaging, shoring up my weaknesses. It’s been so nice to see my thoughts translated into something quicker and more crisp. The editorial assessment was so helpful. So many light bulbs went off in my head. The feedback she offered taught me how I can improve my writing, and it’s inspired me to write better already.”
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Luke Atkinson 
author of Blood Oath (No Man's Land Book 1)

Editing is a crucial step in your publishing journey

As a copyeditor, I’m obsessed with making sure your writing works. I love being that bridge between writer and reader, polishing the manuscript so your meticulous worldbuilding and character arcs aren’t subverted by errors!

My biggest successes? When no one realizes I’ve been there at all.
For once, my expectations of an editor were fully realized.

“I think it is rare that a writer finds an editor who is perfectly in sync and able to handle the task of turning a rough diamond into a polished gem, yet this is how I felt after working for a month with Erika on my new manuscript. She picks up on those inconsistencies and errors which dog writers and can lead to that unprofessional feel in a new book. Her suggestions are to the point, diplomatically presented, and her feedback is thorough. For once, my expectations of an editor were fully realized.”
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Eric Colbourne 
author of Chronicles of Fair Island

I’m here to help you get around the gatekeepers


Quick story…

Before I started my editing business, I worked as an intern at Breakwater Books, a small press in St. John’s, NL. It was my job to read the “slush” pile and report any gems in our weekly team meetings. 

I read A LOT of slush submissions. 

My favourite part of that process was discovering something truly powerful—a piece of writing that I could see raw potential in, that I could champion to the rest of the team. 

(The worst part was the sheer volume of rejection letters I had to send. I got really good at giving helpful and kind feedback, though. It might help you to know that rejection from a publishing house is less often “This is terrible!” and more often “This doesn’t fit our current list”.)

At my press job, I learned how passionate writers are about their craft, and I got to see the inner workings of a traditional publishing company. I struggled because I saw so much potential, but we couldn’t publish all the books I wanted to bring to life. 

After a year there, learning the ropes of copyediting and proofreading from the managing editor, I decided freelancing was a better fit for me. 

So, I started my own editing business to work with all the amazing writers kept out of the competitive (and often risk-averse) traditional publishing route. Writers who could make a go as indie authors self-publishing their books and building a raving fanbase. I knew you were out there… because I’d been reading your work all along.
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Now, I empower writers like you to share the very best version of your manuscript.
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She’s gone above and beyond

​“I’ve had the enjoyable experience of working with Erika on my novels, and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for editing services. She’s gone above and beyond to deliver a highly valuable service which improved my work from amateur to professional.”

Alastair Mitchell ​
author of Satoshi's Fortune and All Jokes Aside Vol. 1-2

You deserve a book you can be proud of

You owe it to yourself and to your book project to work with a true professional—someone who will fully inhabit your imaginative world, pore over your words, fix inconsistencies across your document, and never tire of hunting down typos. 

Someone who really understands and respects your vision, and who can help you fully express it in your unique voice.

​Someone like me.

I’m all about tinkering with language and making it work for the reader and the story, without sacrificing any of the author’s voice. I’ll make your writing immersive, consistent, and clear. Plus, you can depend on me to be honest, prompt, and professional.
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“I had the pleasure of working with Erika when my short story was selected as part of their debut Journal of Speculative Literature. We developed a beautiful virtual writer-editor relationship and she was the last word in professionalism and elocution. She pointed out the smallest details that helped the manuscript flourish and attract attention. 

My short story has definitely benefited from her magical touch, and to my downright delight has become one of the highlights of the publication all thanks to Erika’s intelligence and dedication.”
Samannaz Rohanimanesh
author of “All Rooted Things” in the ​HOZ Journal Vol. 1


Who I work with

After 10 years of editing, and working on manuscripts spanning speculative fiction and thrillers to training manuals, blog posts, and academic research (including more than 75 engineering journal articles and loads of theses/dissertations!), I’ve identified the clients who are the best fit for me.

My ideal clients are indie fiction writers with interesting stories to tell, who are searching for a detail-oriented, thoughtful copyeditor to polish their work to a high shine. 

​Does that sound like you?