Testimonials

'I come with a recommendation.

During the early years of my writing career, I had one extremely excellent and reliable beta / developmental editor. She had to stop editing romance as she went through a tough breakup and hasn't been able to find the love for the genre again.

I spent a few years trying out a bunch of different professionals and never found a good fit (and my whole process suffered) until I found Emerald Edits. I used her for my books and we (Smartypants Romance) also use her for our breakout authors (new/debut authors). Nicole at Emerald Edits is SO EXCELLENT and breaks down the issues (characterization, pacing, flow, word choices, etc) in a way that feels actionable and never nebulous.

ANYWAY, if you're going through a transition or just want to try a new development editor to up your game, I highly recommend Nicole.'

~ Author, Penny Reid

'Nicole is thorough and quick -- two things that are so important to me as an indie author. I really appreciated the detail she put into her feedback as well as the solution-based critique method. She doesn't just tell you what didn't feel right, she tells you WHY as well as possible ways to fix it. That's the kind of support I need in my life!'

~ Romance author, Kandi Steiner

'Nicole's edits are so beautiful and insightful. I really appreciated the insight, time, and attention to detail that she put into everything.

I really loved how she gave examples and suggestions for each comment made, especially on areas she thought needed to be expanded on, as well as all her sweet, positive compliments made throughout.

It made editing an actual enjoyable experience.'

~WSJ Bestselling author BB Easton

'I have been searching for YEARS for an editor like Nicole: a manuscript partner who’s not afraid to tell me exactly what I need to do on the scene and story level to take my story from good to amazing.

She tells me what’s working, which gives me that extra encouragement I need to keep going, and exactly what she thinks is missing, which my fried-from-drafting brain desperately needs, and which is pretty much always bang-on.

I honestly think my latest release was my most successful because A) I worked hard on it, but more importantly, B) I hired Nicole! She’s stuck with me now :)'

~ USA Today bestselling author, Claire Wilder

'Nicole’s inline comments were always helpful, often encouraging, sometimes hilarious, and gave me excellent suggestions for how to strengthen key scenes and provide deeper context and richer detail. Since this was my first foray into romance, her assistance was priceless. A wonderful experience that I hope to repeat many times over'.

~ Author, Layla Simon

'As an Indie Author trying to break into the highly competitive market of contemporary romance, I was clueless regarding all that it took to author and publish a book. After releasing the first two books of my sports romance series and getting some feedback that made me question whether I could offer a better story, I pulled both books from the market and began searching for a developmental editor. Thankfully, I found Nicole in mere moments and after some initial conversations and a sample edit; I knew I had found someone who would help me formulate, organize, and develop the story I had in my heart.

Working with Nicole was an outstanding experience from the beginning. She prodded, questioned, and talked me through sections of my story that needed focus and direction. Together with Nicole's help, I feel like the story I wanted to share has finally been uncovered. Nicole is quick and efficient. Nicole has been a joy to work with and I look forward to our future working relationship.'

~ Author, Jessica Buss

"Nicole (Emerald Edits) is an extraordinary developmental editor. Her insights are on point, and she is adept at providing feedback in a manner that clicks for me. Her comments and questions help me dive deeper, which results in a more well-rounded experience for my readers. I particularly appreciate that Nicole conveys her input in a way that leads to solutions. How she can do all of this and provide such fast turnaround times is a mystery to me! She’s definitely my choice for developmental edits. I only wish I’d found her sooner."

~ J.D. Carothers

'I don't know how I've survived all these years without Nicole. Her feedback was brilliant--not only is she supportive and enthusiastic in her feedback, but she's thoughtful, thorough, and absolutely brilliant in her ability to see where edges need to be smoothed or brought to the surface. I cannot recommend her enough!'

~ Best-selling author, Staci Hart.

'Using Emerald Edits for my developmental editing was a gift from the universe! Nicole went above and beyond with her feedback, giving me the tools and guidance to shape my novel into something magical. I don't know how I wrote before using her services, but all I know is my stories moving forward will be better with her skill set being involved in the creative process. I highly recommend her for your editing needs!'

- Author, Brittainy C Cherry

'Nicole’s edits are precious, gorgeous things, born of emotion and a deep understanding of story. She’s amazing. I highly recommend.'

— author, Adriana Anders

'Working with Nicole was an amazing and instrumental process. As a content editor, she's detailed, organized, and incredibly professional. Her valuable feedback allowed me to streamline and improve my story, the plot, and the character's arcs. I can't recommend working with her enough, her input was truly invaluable.'

~ Romance author, Mariah Dietz

'Emerald Edits (Nicole) is incredibly thorough and thoughtful with developmental edits. Being timely and concise was a treat. I've never dug into edits so excitedly. I can't imagine writing future books without her assistance.'

- Romance Author, L.B. Dunbar

'Nicole stands out among the developmental editors I've worked with. Unlike many others, she highlighted areas for improvement and expressed genuine appreciation for aspects of my book, motivating me to address its issues. Her thorough dive into the manuscript demonstrated a meticulous reading of every word. Beyond her excellent work, she provided valuable support throughout the revision process. Nicole has now become my preferred editor.'

~ Author, J.A Owenby

'Nicole’s input was invaluable to me, particularly as a debut author who had never worked with an editor before. She is both a skilled developmental editor and a lover of the romance genre, so she not only understands what readers are seeking, she knows how to get there! The changes she suggested greatly enhanced my novel. She truly understood the characters and was able to identify needed changes without changing the essence of the characters. It always felt like a partnership and her input was provided with the utmost professionalism. I trust her judgment and, time after time, a change she suggested was proven to enhance the novel. Finally, on a personal level, she was incredibly supportive, patient, kind, and encouraging. I highly recommend her.'

~ Author, Katharine Hope Levy

'When Nicole reviewed my debut book and pointed out in a very professional manner ways in which I could have improved on it, I knew that this was a reviewer who knew her stuff when it comes to the world of romance, and I wanted to work with her in some capacity on my second book.

Imagine my giddiness when Emerald Edits was created! Nicole came on board as a developmental editor, and in her thorough feedback, it was evident that she is passionate about this work, and really wanted to make my book as good as it possibly could be. This included seeing potential in places I overlooked, to pointing out problematic aspects of the book which slipped under my radar.

I am a newbie author, and I believe Nicole took that into consideration by being very patient with me, as I am still learning how to grasp that bigger picture of the story and make all of its moving parts sing. This is a talent I believe Nicole has. In addition to being professional, she is also incredibly kind. This last point might not matter to some as long as she knows her business (which she does) but working with a kind editor is like the cherry on top. I cannot wait to work with her again!'

- Romance author, Ann Whynot

'This was my first time working with a developmental editor and Nicole has spoiled me for anyone else. She has a gift for understanding the heart of your story coupled with a keen eye and literary wisdom. She pulls no punches regarding areas for improvement, but does so with respect and sound advice. She compliments and encourages.

My experience with her felt like a true partnership; we both had the same objective—making the manuscript the best it could be—and worked together to make it happen. She is very responsive; to the point you can't imagine she's working with anyone but you.

When she says, "Let me know if you need anything," she means it. Because of her brilliant assistance, I have confidence in submitting my book to agents, knowing it is ready to find its readers. I cannot recommend Nicole more highly and cannot wait to work with her again.'

~ Author, Lorriane Thomas

'I value Nicole's developmental edit feedback. She provides fresh eyes and perspective when I've spent

too much time in my own head and words have turned to mush for me. She skillfully strikes the balance between encouraging and pushing me to do more in my manuscripts. I tend to underwrite and need help with structure, pacing, and characterization. She nudges

me with specific scene ideas and areas that need strengthening, which is super helpful. Nicole makes a great partner in the writing and developmental process!'

Romance author, Amelia Simone

'After reading Nicole's passionate, spot-on, eloquent, and helpful reviews for years, I absolutely KNEW I had to work with her when Emerald Edits was born. I could not wait to get my hands on her brilliant brain and juice it like a lemon. When the opportunity finally presented itself, it was more wonderful than imagined. Her knowledge of the wide romance market never fails to impress me. Her attention to detail makes a story feel truly treasured rather than spit out. I'll be using her for all my books going forward. I can't imagine any sane romance author not doing the same.'

~ Romance writer, Kata Čuić

'I have benefitted from Nicole's wisdom on five books. In every case, she made my writing better, never once silencing my voice in favor of her own. Her turnaround time is amazing, and if I run into any problems—which very very rarely happens—she answers my questions and even helps me find my way out of thorny plot problems. I think of Nicole as a partner with my best interests at heart.'

~ Author, Madison Michael (The Beguiling Bachelor series)

'I can’t say enough good things about Nicole from Emerald edits.

I recently reached out to have my latest book edited from a developmental point of view and I was not disappointed!

Nicole was so informative and easy to deal with, putting to rest any worries I had about trusting her to take on my book.

The feedback I received was not only thorough but Nicole’s ability to tease out certain areas within the book and transform a scene from good to great with her recommended adjustments was not only impressive but vital to the overall pace and heart of the story.

Her own ability to write was evident in her professional critique, leaving me assured that with some adjustments, my book could be fantastic. I will definitely be returning to Emerald Edits in the future!'

~ Author, Christine Winston

'Not only is Nicole prompt and professional, she has an extremely keen eye for detail. The depth and quality of the feedback she gave was astounding. Her chapter by chapter breakdown of the story was more than I expected. She was insightful and honest, supportive and encouraging, and her input made a “good” story a “great” one. I can’t recommend her services highly enough.'

~ Best-selling author, Delaney Foster

'As a new author, finding someone to read, evaluate, and critique your book can be a daunting prospect. I’m fortunate to have placed my trust and my story in Nicole’s capable hands. She provided invaluable feedback and thoughtful suggestions that helped solidify the narrative and improved characterization. Nicole’s passion for this community shines in all she does. Emerald Edits provides a phenomenal service for authors, and I can’t wait to work with Nicole again.'

~ Romance author, Laney Hatcher

'As an author wanting to make my work the best it could be, I struggled to find that one person to read, critique, and help cultivate my book. I was fortunate to have Delaney Foster in my corner and she recommended Nicole to me. I put my trust and my concerns in Nicole’s hands.
What can I say, the way she communicated the high and low points were perfect. The feedback was incredibly insightful and helped me realize key things that I missed. Small things that made such a difference when looked at through someone else’s eyes.Nicole helped me make my story more organic.
Now when I read it, I don’t just read the story, I live in it.
I love Nicole’s exuberance for our community!! No matter if you are a new author or a seasoned one Emerald Edits can provide services for you. I can’t wait to work with Nicole in the near future. Thank you for all the hard work Nicole!!! You are a rare and beautiful gem!!❤️'

~ Romance author, Roux Cantrell

'Nicole McCurdy is one of the most astute and insightful editors I've ever had the pleasure to work with. Her taste is impeccable, her critiques brilliant, and she has an innate understanding of story and character in every genre that proves correct time and time again. Nicole is a delight to work with, and a treasure to know.'

~ Award winning author, April White

'Nicole's passion for the written word pairs with a keen ability to see characters, flow, and plotting in a clinical way. That combination allows her to be emotionally involved as a reader, while simultaneously breaking down a story's structure to see how it can be better. I'm so happy Nicole is bringing her gift to authors!'

~Bestselling Historical Romance author, Bethany Bennett

'Nicole is one of the most intuitive, insightful, and kind hearted people I've ever had the pleasure to know. Her grasp of story structure and characterization is flawless and her ability to critique a book is impeccable. She has an innate talent for finding even the smallest of details within a story and coming up with brilliant suggestions for making them shine. I wholeheartedly recommend working with Nicole for your next book.'

~Romance author, Nora Everly

'Nicole! Where to start? Nicole has such a keen eye for developmental edits that can only come from someone who is whole-heartedly passionate about reading. She can pinpoint exactly what you are hoping to achieve with your story telling and help get you the rest of the way there. I cannot recommend her enough to anybody who is looking for that perfect set of eyes and who will devote to your story the same vigor and love that you have put into it. On top of all that, she is also incredibly easy to work with, professional, and prompt. My secret weapon is no longer secret!'

~ Romance Writer, Piper Sheldon

'Nicole’s keen attention to character, language, and plot makes her an absolute gem in the book community. I am always grateful to have her eyes on my words.'

~ Romance Writer, Anna Michael

'Nicole McCurdy AKA Emerald Edits is an amazing developmental editor. Her insights revealed trouble spots in my manuscript I didn't know existed. Not only did she point out the trouble spots, she offered feedback and suggestions on how to fix them. But did she stop there? Nope. She also provided reasons why she believed potential sections didn't work. Her observations and acumen allowed me to fully grasp how a reader perceives my characters and situations. This level of detail is priceless. I STRONGLY recommend Nicole and Emerald Edits. No matter what your project is, you won't be disappointed.'

~ Author, P.A. DePaul

'I cannot recommend Nicole highly enough! She's not just an excellent and very thorough developmental editor, she is also very knowledgeable about the writing market and popular tropes. She made very helpful suggestions, pointing out what needed tweaking and also what worked, without in any way changing my voice or the basic storyline.'

~ Author, Kenzie Reed

'I highly recommend working with Nicole! She is insightful and thorough with her edits and dives deep into the story to make the plot and characters shine. Her feedback is detailed and actionable and easy to work with. She's also timely and reliable, which are equally important traits. I greatly appreciate seeing the plot and characters through her eyes and feel she adds a necessary developmental component to my process, ensuring the book is as good as it can possibly be.'

~ Historical romance author, Scarlett Scott

'Nicole (Emerald Edits) has now worked on 4 of my books and has quickly become a valued member of my production team. Her feedback is insightful, understandable, and easily actionable. She breaks down the book to make it better, suggesting areas for improvement and identifying areas of strength that should be polished further to really shine. She understands how a reader will interact with the text and works to ensure that the book is going to hit the mark. Nicole's advice is invaluable, and I would highly recommend Emerald Edits. '

~ Author, Evie Mitchell

'Writing is often solitary. For months, I debate the pros and cons of scenes, sentences, plot in my head. As I looked towards publishing book 2, I wanted someone whom I could trust 100% to provide honest feedback. Nicole was a great partner and sounding board - honest, sympathetic, insightful. She took a working manuscript along with half-formed ideas and pointed out parts that worked and parts that needed tweaking. Some reasons for what made working with her so easy are:

1) professionalism - quickness in communicating, promptness in returning feedback

2) delicacy with which she treated the manuscript - as a newer author, I still get nervous sharing my stories with others. I felt confident that Nicole would treat the story gently and offer constructive feedback

3) knowledge of the romance book world - Nicole is a wonderful mix of a reader and editor. She edits to make the story stronger and provides perspective on what readers may like/find issues with.

Lastly, you get the sense that she loves romance books and cares about your story and your success. For a writer, what better partner is there to have than someone who wants the best for your story and has the perceptiveness to point out how to help you get there?'

~ Romance author, Nanxi Wen

'Nicole is incredibly fast with getting your edits back to you. When I received my edited manuscript, I was blown away by how thorough she was. She explained clearly why she made a specific edit and offered suggestions on improving it without making the story hers, rather than yours.

Not only is she an excellent developmental editor, but she is also your cheerleader. She will comment on scenes that she particularly enjoyed giving you a boost of confidence. She doesn't just stop once she has handed you back your MS, either. She is there for you if you need an opinion on a specific scene and again is extremely fast at getting back to you.

She has made me confident in releasing my debut book, and I will be using her for all my future stories.'

~ Author Lark Hersey