Expert Profile

Contact Details

Pittsburgh, PA

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Jess Simms

Editor and Writer

Bio

As an editor, I work across speculative genres and literary fiction. I have a particular passion for developmental editing of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror stories that involve significant worldbuilding. I also have expertise in line editing and proofreading of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and literary fiction. 

My ghostwriting experiece started with Dorrance Publishing in 2016. Since then, I've completed over 30 manuscripts between my work with them and freelance projects. In fiction, I tend to gravitate toward speculative projects. I also ghostwrite nonfiction manuscripts, primarily professional memoirs/autobiographies and entrepreneur/business advice.

I've been the Managing Editor of the literary journal After Happy Hour since 2019 and hold an MFA from Chatham University. Before that, I earned a Bachelor's of Music in Saxophone Performance, giving me an enduring nerd-level knowledge of jazz history and music theory. I am also a travel writer and have done extensive research in the areas of folklore and mythology, with a particular emphasis on Appalachian folklore and pre-Columbian mythology of Mexico and Central America.

Demographics

Editor and Writer

  • Beta Reading
  • Copyediting
  • Formatting
  • Ghostwriting
  • Line editing
  • Proofreading

Currently Booking

  • Adult
  • College

  • Google Docs
  • InDesign
  • PowerPoint
  • Word

Advanced (26–50 projects)

No

10

13

Yes

Blogs, Creative nonfiction, Memoirs, Newsletters, Novellas, Novels, Short stories

  • Fantasy
  • General Fiction
  • General Fiction
  • Horror
  • Literary
  • Magical Realism
  • Sci Fi
  • Speculative Fiction
  • Thriller/Suspense

  • Humanities
  • Literature
  • Narrative Nonfiction
  • Self-help

  • Linguistics
  • Music
  • Popular culture
  • Religion/Spirituality
  • Self-help
  • Travel

  • Anthropology
  • Business
  • Literature
  • Music/Art

  • Associated Press (AP)
  • Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)
  • Modern Language Association (MLA)

  • English

  • Yes

No

they/them

No

White

Nonbinary

Master's degree