Our Philosophy
Editing is about asking the right questions, seeing the story beneath the surface, and helping it rise to its fullest form. We approach every manuscript with:
Literary insight – grounded in craft, structure, and reader psychology
Respect for your voice – we refine, never overwrite
Editorial precision – honest, detailed feedback with a clear path forward
Inclusivity and care – especially when reviewing portrayals of marginalized experiences
Who’s behind Story Surgeon?
Shelly, Founder & Editor-in-Chief
A developmental editor with 7 years of editing. Her background includes certification by nationally renowned editing associations like ACES and the EFA publishing poetry and stand alone novels.
Shelly founded Story Surgeon in the bustling city of Atlanta, Georgia to offer serious indie authors the same level of editorial insight typically reserved for traditionally published writers.
When she’s not editing, you’ll probably find her reading novels with layered characters and lyrical prose.