All business.

All business.

Not doing business.

Not doing business.

The best escape opportunities are often sitting right in your lap.

The best escape opportunities are often sitting right in your lap.

Credentials:

  • University of Chicago Graham School: Certificate, Editing 

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Public Health: Master’s of Healthcare Administration

  • Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies: Bachelor’s of Science, International Health

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Styles

  • Chicago/Turabian

  • APA

  • MLA

DIedre Hammons

I offer proofreading, copyediting, and developmental editing for small or large texts.

I almost exclusively edit nonfiction. I have special interests in memoir, autobiography, travel, religious history/theology/spirituality/mysticism, health care, and self-help, but am open to any editorial project that sounds interesting. I accept children’s books from publishers. My edited works can be found in large publishing houses and small indie presses. Sadly, I am one of few people of color and Black female editors in the United States.

When I’m not editing, I am usually hanging out with my loving and tolerant husband, Mark, our child, and our playful cat, Simba. Or, I’m reading, listening to music, or plotting my next out-of-town adventure.

Who do you work with?

My clients are published with traditional publishing houses and are independently published. I’ve edited the works of therapists, spiritual directors, monks, motivational speakers, professors, and community organizers, a few of whom are New York Times or Amazon bestselling writers in their genres. Several of the books I’ve edited have won national or regional awards.

What books have you worked on? And how many?

Check out my portfolio page of books I have edited over the years. I have worked on hundreds of projects, and most of my projects are repeat requests from a core set of traditional publishers.

How do we work together? How much will this cost me?

Take a look here. In short, I will review your manuscript, provide you a sample, and provide a customized proposal that meets your needs and budget.

Your friends and family will tell you that your text is great—and most likely, it is.

But I’ll tell what you need to hear, diagnose what’s not working, and offer thoughtful suggestions about what we need to do to make it even better. My suggestions are sourced from professional publishing style rules, literary theory and technique, experience, and being a nerdy, unapologetic introvert that loves to read.

What do I like to read?

I’m glad you asked. Below is a short list of my favorite books. If you’ve read or heard of a few of these, chances are, we are a good match. 

Theology & Philosophy

Poetry

Mind/Body/Spirit

Health care

Travel & Memoir

The Craft of Writing