Hello! I’m Jenna Nelson. I’m a writer and editor with 15 years of experience working on over 300 books for traditional publishers. To get in touch, email jenna AT tastefulediting.com
Make your words delicious
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- I develop nonfiction projects that help readers unlock their inner strength, set intentions, and invite healing. I specialize in books that inspire readers to explore the natural world. I enjoy working with authors who help their readers make lifestyle changes and reach challenging new goals.
- I work with traditional publishers (e.g., Flatiron Books, St. Martin’s Press, Page Street Publishing, Cool Springs Press, Fair Winds Press, Harvard Common Press, Quarry Books, Rockport Publishing, and many others) to develop titles in mind/body/spirit, cooking, wellness, and how-to. I have worked with award-winning chefs and several cooking show celebrities from Food Network, Netflix, and Bravo TV. I understand the chef and the home cook, and I know how to balance their needs on the page.
- I welcome authors who are translating works into English and need to balance creativity while respecting the original. I am part of the copy editing team at a literary journal specializing in translated works (Asymptote).
- I also copy edit food and cookbook manuscripts of all kinds—from Ayurvedic balancing to cannabis cocktails to vegan baking. I have extensive experience with special diets (e.g., vegan, vegetarian, raw, Paleo, AIP, and keto), nutritional analysis, metric conversions, and complex methods.
- I work with independent/self-publishing authors on Reedsy. You can find me here.
- I develop nonfiction projects that help readers unlock their inner strength, set intentions, and invite healing. I specialize in books that inspire readers to explore the natural world. I enjoy working with authors who help their readers make lifestyle changes and reach challenging new goals.
University of Chicago – editing (developmental track)
Simon Fraser University – plain language certificate
Author-Editor Clinic – developmental editing
UC–San Diego – copy editing certificate
UC–Berkeley – indexing
PhD, Emory University
MA, Université de Montréal
BA, University of Pittsburgh
Asymptote literary journal
Editors Canada
Plain Language Association
Club Ed Freelancers
I seek out works written on behalf of animals.
Meet Your Editor: Jenna
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- I’m an experienced editor who truly enjoys working with authors to make every book the best it can be.
- From 2017 to 2024, I served on the board of directors for the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to supporting Maine’s farmers, strengthening our local food network, and fighting food insecurity in our state.
- I am the daughter of a food scientist. While I was growing up, I learned about ingredients in our backyard garden, and I learned to cook using the industrial stand mixer in our kitchen. I am an active, lifelong home cook.
- I test recipes for some outstanding cookbook authors. Recipe testing helps me approach every project with even more appreciation for the author’s creativity and hard work.
- Honestly, I’m not that great a gardener. In March I start seeds under lights to help winter feel a little less long. I care for my seedlings, and some thrive. But anything that goes into the garden probably ends up feeding the deer—and that’s totally okay! I have a small (deer-resistant!) dye garden, and I focus on natural dyes and hand-stitching in my creative work.
- I attend a virtual writing group every day. I value the people I write alongside as we turn our ideas into works-in-progress. There is a real joy in supporting one another and celebrating our successes.
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When I am not digging through style guides and working with awesome authors, I enjoy life in Maine with my husband, Russell Patton, and our amazing little dog. We like running, hiking in Acadia, and going to see live music—anything from Nick Cave to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.
Tasteful Editing Supports
Reading: Wild Swims by Dorthe Nors (translated by Misha Hoekstra, Graywolf Press 2021)
Learning: Chicken scratch embroidery (start with Blair Stocker of Wise Craft Handmade)
Listening: Mika Vainio // Einstürzende Neubauten // field recordings
Watching: Les vacances de Monsieur Hulot by Jacques Tati
Making: Artful garments, dye plants, & dog pillows
Running: MDI half-marathon