My Story 

My name is Mike Valentino. I have been involved with the world of editing and writing my entire adult life. Beginning in 1983, I worked my way through night school at Harvard University, earning two degrees with honors, a Bachelor's in Social Sciences and a Master's in Humanities. I subsequently embarked on a successful career in local newspapers, writing human interest and news stories. I also earned the position of head writer at "The Commercial Record," a leading banking and real estate publication in Connecticut. Then, a little over 25 years ago, pursuing my love of books I became a full-time editor and ghostwriter. This turned out to be the ideal profession for me. I have helped hundreds of authors improve their writing skills by serving as the manuscript editor for a wide variety of both fiction and nonfiction projects. For many others, I have ghostwritten the entire manuscript for them.

Over the decades I have worked on just about every kind of book imaginable, from novels to memoirs and everything in between. On the personal side, I've been happily married for more than 30 years to my wonderful wife Sandi and I'm the proud father of two remarkable young adult sons. My professional affiliations include the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and the Association of Ghostwriters.

Here are just a few of the many books I've helped bring to the market as an editor or ghostwriter...

• Editor for Eliot Parker's novel "Making Arrangements," selected as a "Best Book of 2014" by USA Book News.
• Edited the biography of legendary boxing champion "Jersey Joe" Walcott, published by McFarland.
• Served as the manuscript editor for all four novels in the successful "Midtown Blue" police series, published by Baker.
• Helped psychologist Dr. Bob Moylan with his very successful series of "Emotional Core Therapy" books.
• Ghostwrote a romantic suspense novel entitled "The Matchmaker." The book has been published by Thorndike Press.
• Edited "The Rapture Dialogues," a novel by prolific Christian author Terry James.
• Successfully rewrote a business book entitled, "Transforming the Character of Public Organizations" (published by Greenwood Publishing, a Praeger imprint).
• Edited a novel entitled "Fatal Embrace." It has been well reviewed and was given the honor of being excerpted in a major women's magazine, a sure sign of its success.
• Hired by Rutgers University as a consultant for an important book project on urban education.

Client feedback and references...
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"Editor Mike tightened up my memoir quite a bit. After the first sentence he edited -- he helped my voice flow without rambling or repeating myself--which I tend to do a lot. Without changing my thoughts, he helped me tell my coming of age story and added the finishing touches for publishers to read." 

- Jonathan Cain.   Songwriter / Keyboardist for the world-famous rock band Journey

"An excellent analysis and constructive critique. Probably the best I've had from editors - even the ones in the Apple."

-Terry James
wtjames1@swbell.net
501-315-6433

"Mike is my hero - he took my 'pretty good' writing and artfully elevated it to an easily publishable quality. He quickly developed what I can only describe as a kind of rapport with my writing style that allowed his edits to seamlessly fold into my work."

- Dow Winscott
Dow.Winscott@tyson.com

"I gave him my ideas, we discussed them throughout the entire process, and in 6 months my book was ready. It has been a very gratifying experience and I will work with him again for my second book."

- Michael Busby (Texas)


"I was quite pleased with his knowledge and the professionalism of his work."

- Dee Sanders (Arkansas)

"Mike was easy to work with and a great help editing and correcting my biography of Jersey Joe Walcott, the legendary heavyweight boxing champ. McFarland is now publishing the book! I would recommend Mike to others, and look forward to working with him again."

- Jim Curl
member IBRO
curl88@hotmail.com

"Aside from being one of the most talented, knowledgeable and thorough editors I have worked with, Mike excels at partnering with and listening to the client and going the extra mile to ensure the success of the project. It is rare to find an editor with such impressive credentials who is so easy to work with."

- Lacey Hanes Ogle,
Associate Publisher, VMI Publishers


"I really enjoyed working with editor Mike Valentino on my book, “Emotional Core Therapy.” I would not have been able to write the book at all if it were not for the expertise and integrity of Mr. Valentino. In my opinion, Mike is a master at making characters come alive. He breathed life into my book. Moreover, Mike has a good deal of persistence. Our book took nearly six months to finish and Mike never wavered in his commitment to help me. It is without hesitation, that I highly recommend Mike Valentino to other aspiring writers."
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- Bob Moylan,
LCPC
bmoylan111@yahoo.com
(630) 788-1100

"Mike Valentino's editing work was superb. I sent him a very rough book manuscript. He delivered a fully edited manuscript on time and on budget--not only correcting errors but suggesting copy changes that made a huge difference. He was easy to work with and I would hasten to recommend his excellent services to anyone in need of speed, accuracy and a fair price."

- Doug Kirkpatrick,
author of "Beyond Empowerment: The Age of the Self-Managed Organization". (featured in the December 2011 issue of the Harvard Business Review) doug@redshift3.org

"Mike was always prompt in responding to any questions and concerns I had and he treated me like a partner throughout the entire process. In the end, he created a wonderful manuscript. I highly recommend Mike and all of the services he provides."

Eliot Parker
 parker25@mctc.edu

"I highly recommend Mike Valentino as an editor. Mike has been a fantastic resource. He is professional and provides a fast turn-around. I never have to wait in limbo for my edits. He keeps me informed every step of the way. No one writes a book by themselves." 

-Brian Ford
autoprocesstx@gmail.com
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