Ramona Richards

If it's not working, I can fix it.

After more than 25 years in publishing, I've developed the reputation as someone who can polish even the roughest novel or popular nonfiction book into a diamond.

I have worked on more than 300 publications, and my first job was with Abingdon's children's book division. By the age of 28, I was the editor of a national magazine, Ideals. When I left Ideals, I edited fiction and nonfiction for Rutledge Hill Press. After editing study Bibles, reference books, and CD-ROMs for Thomas Nelson Publishers, I started my own editorial business, and edited as a freelancer for almost two dozen publishers, including:

Ramona Richards is a writer's dream when it comes to editing. She keeps MY work MY work...only better! With gentle encouragement, she enables me to be a better writer...to discern more clearly as to what my characters do and why. Ramona Richards rocks! --Eva Marie Everson

An editor is a “fixer,” and this requires understanding a book as a sum of its parts as well as a whole. With nonfiction, this means having a thorough knowledge of the subject or a willingness to research it, as well as an understanding of how the information should be presented to readers.

With novels, this means evaluating each element of a story, focusing on the flaws, and knowing how to improve each one.

• Evaluating and strengthening character arcs
• Mapping plot development and closing holes
• Enhancing foreshadowing
• Analyzing character believability
• Building suspense
• Reviewing suitability for the intended audience

Once I've analyzed a novel, I work closely with the author or in-house editor on what needs to be done to ensure the story's marketability.

Recent Projects:

• The Quilt of Hope, Mary Tatum, Barbour
• The Simple Life, Wanda E. Brunstetter, Barbour
• The Power of a Prayer, Eugene Peterson, NavPress
• Mom: PhD, Teresa Bell Kindred, Howard Publishing
• Being Christian Without Being An Idiot, Brad Stine, self-published
• The Welkening, Gregory Spencer, Howard Publishing
• Mending Places, Denise Hunter, Howard Publishing
• 12 Who Changed the World, Morris Inch, Thomas Nelson Publishers
• You Only Die Once, Margie Jenkins, Integrity Publishers
• Shadow of Dreams, Summon the Shadows, Shadows of Light, Eva Marie Everson and G. W. Francis Chadwick, Promise Press (Barbour Books)
• Virtues of Family Life, Virtues of Leadership, Virtues of Friendship, and Virtues of Courage in Adversity, a four-book set adapted from William Bennett's story collections, W Publishing Group
• The Safe Sites Internet Yellow Pages, 2000-2001 Edition, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
• The Lindsay Chamberlain mystery novels, Cumberland House Publishers. Titles edited include A Rumor of Bones, Questionable Remains, Dressed to Die, Skeleton Crew, and Airtight Case

Ramona Richards is a gifted editor. She is able to evaluate a manuscript, identifying the elements necessary to make a story engaging and bring satisfactory resolution. Ramona works well with authors, involving them in the editorial process, guiding them to rewrite where necessary, and giving valuable input. She provides thorough written reports and style sheets. Ramona has done an excellent job on the projects I’ve assigned her, and I will continue to use her on future projects. Philis Boultinghouse Managing Editor Howard Publishing