Independent Authors: Memoirs and Cookbooks

Deri offers a range of editing services for independent authors of cookbooks and memoirs. With more than 30 years in publishing, 25 years as a freelancer, she works closely with self-publishing authors to help shape, organize, edit, copyedit, or polish their work, while always—always—maintaining the author’s unique voice. 

Below is a sampling of the cookbooks and memoirs Deri has edited, along with her clients’ testimonials.

Shannon Smith, The Hidden Table

Writing my first cookbook was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I started out with a plan to self-publish and knew I needed a lot of help. Deri was a lifesaver: I couldn’t have finished The Hidden Table without her. She went through every recipe with a fine-toothed comb, so I learned so much about how to write a well-crafted recipe. She guided me through the stories like a school teacher, leading me back, time and again, to “the theme!” and clarifying the writing. Working together for two years, she was one of my biggest encouragers, always praising me when I deserved it, but also correcting me when I needed it. I’ve said I’ll never write another book, but if I change my mind, Deri will be my first phone call.  

—Shannon Smith, cook, teacher, traveler, and author of The Hidden Table (Scribe Publishing, 2024)

 

 Marsha Palanci, Tarte Tatin Tales

When it became clear my first book project was going nowhere, Deri stepped in… and she was a godsend. Not only did she offer sage advice and brilliant editing, she also knew just how to minimize the many challenges of self-publishing. Given her extensive experience and impressive list of clients, I knew she would have an impeccable use of the English language. However, what I was most grateful for—and did not expect—was her highly honed skillset of diplomacy, empathy, and sensitivity. She knew exactly how to handle the insecurities of a first-time author. Together we produced the beautiful and engaging Tarte Tatin Tales, which has given us both tremendous pride and joy.

—Marsha Palanci, wine marketer, world traveler, blogger, and author of Tarte Tatin Tales

 

I’m not sure how we had the good fortune of finding Deri to edit our cookbook, F-Words Mom Let Us Say: Food, Family, and Friends, but she was definitely a gift from above. She was beyond valuable to me and my daughters through the entire editing process. It was our first cookbook and she never made us feel less than. She is incredibly meticulous, but also has a kind, generous, and mentoring nature. She brought our cookbook to the polished and professional level we dreamed of, while also helping us remain authentic to our own vision and voices. We began referring to her as “Deri-Queen” when discussing the editing. Her demeanor and work are regal in every way. We now feel our cookbook has a royal touch!

—Sharon Caldwell Peddie, co-author of F-Words Mom Let Us Say: Food, Family, and Friends

 

Joanna Pruess, Cast-Iron Cooking for Two

I can’t adequately thank Deri for her generous editorial support in shaping and polishing Cast-Iron Cooking for Two. Her clear-eyed and scrupulous attention to editorial details, both large and small, helped me to focus my message, and her insights and suggestions helped make it better book. I’m honored that she shared her many talents with me.

—Joanna Pruess, award-winning food and travel writer of more than fourteen cookbooks. 

 

I was lucky to have worked with Deri for my first two cookbooks. She asked the right questions, which I hadn’t even thought of, and guided me in the right direction without compromising my voice. The collaborative process in itself was a huge learning experience and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to work with. With Deri’s help, I created cookbooks that carried my clear, consistent, polished voice, much better than what I thought would be possible when I started the process. Thank you so much!

—Shin Kim, cooking teacher and author of Korean Vegetarian Cooking
and Vegetarian Dishes from My Korean Home

 

Patrick Fullan, My Vegetarian Life  

As this was my first cookbook, I couldn’t have a hoped for a more experienced, knowledgeable, and helpful person to collaborate with than Deri Reed! From the text at the beginning, to the recipes being presented in a thorough and easy to understand approach, with all of her helpful queries, Deri was the person who did the most for my book, resulting in a finished text better than I could have ever imagined! 

     —Patrick Fullan, independent author of the cookbook/memoir, My Vegetarian Life

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 A note about rates: Fees for basic editing for independent authors align with the general rate guidelines set forth by the Editorial Freelancers Association, but may vary based on the state of the manuscript, level of edit required, and other special situations.

Photos by Austen Saltz