Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brianna De Man. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brianna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

Whenever I take on an editing project for a publishing company, I need to consider organizational goals, market trends, client needs, and user needs all in one. Being a freelance editor—specifically for indie authors—allows me to customize my work and prioritize my personability. I think of myself as an “author advocate,” really listening to what authors want out of their editing experience and going above and beyond to make that a reality.

One thing I like to do is hold multiple online meetings and/or consultation calls throughout the editing process. I also make myself available to look over changes the author’s made even after I’ve already edited their work. I have email chains with over seventy replies of just me checking over changes like that! I had one author tell me she sought me out specifically because of how much I cared about personal connection. She made her goals clear, we had an amazing discussion about her book, and even though she faced some discouragement, she said the edits I sent back were just what she needed!

Brianna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a freelance editor with a heart for small-time authors. I currently work as an associate editor and project coordinator for Innovo Publishing LLC, a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). I also serve as Lead Line Editor and Proofreader for hybrid publisher Story-weaver Publishing LLC alongside my own freelancing business.

I grew up savoring the applewood hills of west Michigan, where I first encountered the childlike wonder of natural experience. When I discovered books, I fell in love with the magical way authors portray reality through language. I went on to read voraciously, write book reviews, and interact with online writing communities, which is how I first kindled my love for helping writers. In 2020 she attended Cedarville University, where I obtained a B.A. in Professional Writing and Information Design, along with minors in Editing and Publishing and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

An advocate of indie fiction, I began my freelance editing career in 2022. Since then, I have worked with over a dozen published authors internationally, including award-winning author S.D. Howard and two-time published author Cheyenne van Langevelde. I live on a small homestead with my family, my chickens, and my dog.

I provide a variety of editorial services for indie authors who seek a personable, thorough editor. I’m a strong believer in adaptability when it comes to working with my clientele, and I value anyone who has a passion for storytelling like I do. On my social media, I post content that provokes us to ask questions about our community as writers and editors. In college, my thesis was about the “author influencer” phenomenon, and I love discussions about ethics, censorship, and marketing strategy!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

My greatest resource has been the colleagues I’ve met while networking, and I wished I would have met them earlier than I did! The more people I meet, the more I learn about the industry and how I can improve my business.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to rekindle authors’ love for storytelling, amplify their unique voices, and refresh their perspective on the craft so they can reach their full potential. My creative journey is fueled by this artful paradox of childlike wonder and a mature sense of meaning, which I rediscover every time I open another good book. I want to help writers instill the same sense in their readership.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brideman.wixsite.com/bd-editing
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannadedits/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briannadedits/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/briannadedits
• Other: https://linktr.ee/briannademan