You can listen to the radio show HERE or click the graphic below.
Stephen Parolini is a full-time freelance editor and writer who shares his small Colorado apartment with his granddaughter and an assortment of imaginary characters. He is the author of the novel, Beautiful Sky Beautiful Sky, Stolen Things, and the short story collection, Duck (and other stories).
You can find Stephen on the web in two locations at once. While this sounds like alchemy, it’s really just technology. You can find out more about his books at https://steveparolini.com/ And you can find information about his day job (freelance editor) at www.noveldoctor.com.
Beautiful Sky Beautiful Sky
High school senior David Tinker is a failed former second-string linebacker, a wannabe rock star, a pothead, a writer, and a bit of a jerk. It’s his final semester at North High and he’s beyond ready to be done with school. Wendy, his once-compliant girlfriend, expects too much of him. His ever-shrinking circle of friends is testing his patience. And his insult-slinging father is increasingly impossible to endure. And then there’s the choir director, Mr. Halston, who wields the power of graduation and isn’t above a little blackmail. When David’s world suddenly spins out of control, he finds himself searching for the one thing he didn’t know he was missing: hope.
Novel Doctor
Who Am I?
First things first – I actually do have two eyes of essentially equal size and, no, the left side of my face is not horrifically deformed (just normally deformed like the right side thanks to that unrelenting beast we call “time”). I thought it would be fun to play the part of the artsy, pretentious editor and this photo fit the bill. It would be rather pathetic of me to attempt such pretense in real life, so this is my only chance.
Who am I? Well, my name is Stephen Parolini. And I’m an editor. I’ve been editing for more than 28 years – everything from curriculum to study guides to self-help books to fiction. I even had a two-year stint as a columnist for a bi-weekly trade publication in the video game industry. So, yeah, I’ve got a diverse resume. Why, then, is this site dedicated primarily to fiction?
The short answer: I love fiction. Also, I’m pretty good at editing it.
For most of those 28+ years I’ve been a freelance editor, collaborating with a variety of publishing houses and individuals on books of all kinds. Some of the authors I’ve worked with include: Eliza Maxwell, Nick Jones, Kristin Russell, Joanna Penn, Donald Miller, and NYT bestselling author Tosca Lee. I’ve also worked in an unofficial capacity with the inimitable Jenny Lawson (@TheBloggess), who invited my editorial thoughts for her bestselling books Let’s Pretend This Never Happened and Furiously Happy. [FYI: I’m working on a page for this website that will include links to some of the books I’ve edited. Look for that Very Soon Now.]
I am particularly drawn to contemporary general market novels with a literary bent. Well, that and science fiction. And fantasy. And historical fiction. And memoirs. (I know they’re not fiction, but they require a similarly deft editorial touch.) And just about everything else.
I like my books the same way I like my music – I don’t care what genre label it wears. And yes, I’m aware that saying this is one of those “red flags” some folks raise about freelance editors. They tell you specialization is one of the hallmarks of a good freelance editor. This is often true. But not always true. My specialization is…helping writers tell good stories. If I think I can do that for you, I’ll put you in the queue. See what I did there? I qualified my statement with that little “If I think I can do that for you” phrase. I don’t work with everyone who inquires about editorial services. Despite having a love for many genres, there are some books that just aren’t for me. I’m not a fan of Amish fiction, for example. And sometimes I come across a book that I just don’t connect with, for reasons that aren’t always easy to explain. Don’t be too sad if I turn you away. There are dozens of great editors who will jump at the chance to work with you. And they are almost as nice as I am.
I’m a bit of a paradox – equal parts realist and idealist. But this tends to serve me well as editor. I’ll tell you the truth about your book (sometimes a hard truth), but I’ll also offer you encouragement. Not fleecy, “gosh, you’re swell, thanks for the check” encouragement, but the kind that reaches a deeper place and (hopefully) reveals to you the truth of your potential as a writer.
Is there anything else you’d like to know? Just ask. I’ll probably tell you.
Radio Show Host Lisa Kessler
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of dark paranormal fiction. She’s a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she’s not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.
You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com
