My name is Stephen Parolini. That’s me in the photo, staring intently into your writer’s soul. (Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else what I saw.) I’ve been editing for more than 30 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?
Because I love fiction. Also, I’m pretty good at editing it. I am particularly drawn to contemporary general market novels with a literary bent. Well, that and science fiction. And fantasy. And historical fiction. And suspense. And young adult. And women’s fiction.
Simply stated, I like my books the same way I like my music – I don’t care what genre label it wears. If the story engages me, I’m all in.
As an editor, I’m a bit of a paradox – equal parts realist and idealist. But this tends to serve me well. 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 PayPal deposit” 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.