rogena mitchell-jones, literary editor
praise for rogena
"While pride should be celebrated and honored, it should never become greater than humility."
—Frank Stefanick, Bestselling Author (RIP, dear Frank. You are missed.)
If we have proofread, edited, or formatted for YOU, and you would like to submit something to have included here, please EMAIL us or you can use the form at the bottom of this page. A testimonial reference and a signed copy of your book is like an author receiving a review from a reader on Amazon, Goodreads, and other retail platforms. Testimonials / References / Reviews are what an editor loves to receive... the words of appreciation from her clients. |
Susan MacIverI’m not sure if we award stars to some of the most important people involved in the creation of a book, but if so, I would give Rogena more than the usual 5-star rating. During the editing process for African Adventure: Our Bucket List of Safaris, her care, precision, kindness and thoughtful suggestions elevated my writing to a different level. Even before we started, she told me that she wanted to remain true to my “voice.” Not only did she achieve that goal, but she also enhanced my voice so that she almost took the drawl right out of me! ;) Together, I feel we have produced a work of art.
She was a complete joy to work with, and I’m sad that our time has come to an end. With the conclusion of her formidable formatting skills, she has produced a glorious e-book and print version of our magical time in Africa. Her eye for layout is superb, and her skills second to none. The only way forward is to keep writing books so that I can keep an ongoing relationship with such an incredible woman! Rogena, again, I am humbled and thankful to count you as a friend. Duke and I wish you the best of everything, always. Sincerely and with heartfelt love, Susan MacIver & Duke Ayers Susan MacIver is the author of The Atlantis Chronicles series and African Adventure: Our Bucket List of Safaris. You can find her books on Amazon. Learn more about her books on her website at www.susanmaciver.com. Follow her on Instagram. Kevin Alyn EldersHaving worked as a screenwriter for 31 years, I was worn out by countless battles with clueless development execs who wanted to weigh in on how to 'fix' my screenplays, so I was nervous about hiring an 'editor' to help me refine my first novel. It was my experience that those who could actually write, wrote; those who couldn't write, edited. Rogena changed all that. Frankly, I wouldn't publish a thing without her.
She was forceful with her criticisms without being intractable. She was collaborative without being pedantic, and most importantly, she took the time to analyze, understand and respect my unique style without trying to impose her own. She's an ace with punctuation, something we ignore in screenwriting, and she's a wiz at formatting, making the "e" in e-book stand for 'easy.' I am deeply indebted to her and remain one of her biggest fans. Honestly, if there's anything in my book you don't like, I'd bet real money that it's an instance where I ignored Rogena's advice. That's how good she is. Kevin Alyn Elders is an Author, Screenwriter, Producer, and Director. From his early works, including the Iron Eagle action adventure series, through his later works, including Echelon Conspiracy, he has sold 23 out of 26 original screenplays and has written in many genres for notable directors, actors and producers such as Oliver Stone, Sean Connery, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joel Silver, Albert S. Ruddy, and Louis Gossett Jr, His taut, compelling, suspense-filled narratives have found their latest incarnation in his upcoming Screen Novel Series of Paperbacks, Ebooks, and Audiobooks. WEBSITE: www.kevinalynelders.com Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and IMDb. EJ Runyon
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Dani SimmondsRogena Mitchell-Jones is quite simply, a mind-reader. When she edits my books, she maintains my style and expression, polishing up my words and making them more robust.
For my day job, I write hardware and software manuals (you know, those things that no one reads until they’ve broken something). Transitioning from non-fiction to fiction books that require active verbs has been quite a learning experience for me. Rogena has always been patient with my questions and is happy to explain why she edited something a certain way, which helps me learn as well. Many years ago, I worked with a different editor for my first book. As an active member of the fascist grammar-police, he shredded every carefully thought-out scene into a collection of flat, soulless short sentences that no longer accurately portrayed the ideas or feelings that I was expressing. In the end, I no longer recognized my work and couldn’t feel any pride in the outcome. I ended up trunking the book instead of publishing it. After this experience, I was hesitant to find an editor for my latest book that I had poured so much of myself into. I didn’t want to have my emotionally personal project vivisectioned into an alien autopsy. Thankfully, my good friend Baer Charlton readily referred me to Rogena, and I couldn’t be happier. I swear, she can read my mind as she edits the manuscript to bring out the best of my writing and enhance the story. She perfected my manuscript, making it better than I could have imagined. I was superbly proud of the outcome of the books and am greatly thankful to work with Rogena. I am quite happy to have her work on all of my future projects, and definitely recommend her for other authors out there, both first-timers and old hats. --Dani Simmonds Dani Simmonds is the author of Shrouded Lake series and Bloody Collar Crime, both paranormal romances. You can find her books wherever books are sold, including Amazon. Find out more about Simmonds and her books. danisimmonds.com R.J. ClarkSimply put, Rogena is a fierce editor. Smart, full of insight and excellent suggestions. She is a talented professional in every sense of the word. Rogena brings a wealth of experience to the table and will make your work the most polished it can humanly be. I can not recommend Rogena (and Two Red Pens Editing) enough. You spend a long time working on your manuscript. Give it the extra time and care it deserves by having Rogena take it to the next level. Client for life. I wouldn't dream of taking my work elsewhere. If you're serious about your writing, get a seriously good editor-like Rogena.
Jennifer S. AldersonWhen searching for an editor for Rituals of the Dead, I found Rogena’s site and was immediately impressed by the breadth of projects she had worked on, her extensive qualifications, and professional attitude. After a few friendly email chats, we agreed to give it a go.
Working with Rogena and Colleen, I found their styles complemented each other perfectly. I am incredibly pleased with the results and look forward to working with them again on my next project! I am so glad they were able to fit my book into their schedule! Their advice was sage, their suggestions quite helpful, and – perhaps most important – their editing was non-intrusive. Review and discuss her books on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Goodreads. For more information about the author and her upcoming novels, visit: her website. www.jennifersalderson.com. Find her books on Amazon. K.B. NelsonWhen I began the search to find the perfect editor for my debut novel, I was overwhelmed. Faced with more than ten qualified candidates, I followed my gut and went with the one that not only exhibited exceptional talent in the art of editing but the one who made me feel warm and welcome. As a debut author, I was in over my head, and Rogena rescued me from the murky waters. A great editor can perfect and polish a manuscript. An exceptional one can do all that and then some. An exceptional editor is one who understands authorial voice is as important as the grammatically correct construction of words. An exceptional editor is one who takes great pride in her work and her clients. An exceptional editor is Rogena Mitchell-Jones.
K.B. Nelson is the Bestselling Author of Carnival, Amusement, Carnival Nights, Faithless, and more. Follow K.B. on Facebook and Amazon. B.B. ReidRogena quite possibly saved my writing career before it could even begin. She was my shooting star, my wish upon a candle—my editing savior. I had the pleasure of working with her on my second novel as well as the re-editing of my debut novel, Fear Me. She was insightful, exacting and most importantly, she never treated me as if I were just a client. If I needed to whine or lay my insecurities on the table, she was the ear I relied on. If I had a last minute change or a manuscript crisis, she was readily available. If I simply wanted to share exciting news, she was my cheerleader. Her responsiveness is comforting. Her punctuality is impressive. Rogena’s impeccable skills have allowed me to publish error-free novels. I can’t see how I could ever turn to another editing service.
B.B. Reid is the Bestselling Author of the Broken Love Series—Fear Me, Fear You, Fear Us, and Breaking Love are the first four books of the series. Follow her on Facebook and Amazon. Scarlett DawnRogena Mitchell-Jones goes the distance for her clients. I have been blown away by Rogena's level of professionalism and careful editing skills. She is one editor who has left a lasting impression—a wonderful one—on me. I highly recommend her editing services to anyone who asks.
Scarlett Dawn is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling Author. Follow Scarlett on Amazon and Facebook to stay up on her hot new releases. Pat Adams-WrightMy experience with editors is very limited. I've only had one, so that should tell you something about Rogena Mitchell-Jones. I don't plan on getting another one. She is a brilliant copy editor; reliable, efficient, and the most obliging person you would ever meet. She is on the author's side from beginning to end and will even make out a payment plan if that will make it easier for you. Great lady to boot.
Pat Adams-Wright is the Bestselling Author of RUN and Reluctance. Follow her on Facebook and Amazon. Kim FredricksonI hired Rogena to format my second non-fiction book. It was very complicated with many headings, subheadings, and lists. She did a wonderful job and was very responsive to changes. I could tell that Rogena really cared about my book and wanted it to be the best it could be. She was very easy to work with and got back to me right away. Rogena went the extra mile for me, and I would recommend her in a heartbeat!
Kim Fredrickson is the author of Give Yourself a Break: Turning Your Inner Critic into a Compassionate Friend and Give Your Kids a Break: Parenting with Compassion for You and Your Children. www.kimfredrickson.com With great sadness, we have learned that Kim Fredrickson passed away on June 3, 2019. Rest in blessed peace, my friend. You will be truly missed. Lisa FisherI used Rogena as an editor for my debut novel and had a wonderful experience. She did an amazing line by line edit and helped me clean up my manuscript very nicely. Not only did she do a great job, but she was very kind and easy to work with. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone needing an editor and would love to work with her again on any of my future manuscripts.
Lisa Fisher is the author of the novel Higher and Home Again. Lisa lives in the Seattle area, and when she's not writing fiction, she can usually be found hanging with her kids and her herd of doggies! www.lisafisherbooks.com Vanessa BookeAfter working with several other editors, I was happy to find Rogena to help me re-polish my combined novellas. She was extremely knowledgeable, attentive to detail, and always willing to answer my questions. Rogena caught things even my beta readers and previous editors failed to detect. She helped me fix inconsistencies in my story and offered suggestions to help tighten areas needing more attention. Overall, I could not be happier with the finished product. For most authors, trying to find the perfect editor is always a challenge, but I’m glad I found Rogena to help me with my work. I look forward to using her services again, and I highly recommend other authors to do the same. She’s worth every penny.
Vanessa Booke, USA TODAY and AMAZON Bestselling Author of the Millionaire's Row series, Bound to You (Volumes 1-3) and Drawn to You. Follow her on Amazon and Facebook. Brooke CumberlandI hired Rogena to edit my debut novel, and once she was finished, I was completely blown away at how well she did to perfect my manuscript. She was professional, precise, was attentive to detail, and kept excellent communication with me while she worked on my manuscript. I’ve hired her to do all my future work as well. I was very pleased with the outcome of the entire experience!
Brooke Cumberland is a USA TODAY and AMAZON Bestselling Author in Coming of Age and New Adult Romance. www.brookecumberland.blogspot.com Katrina AlbaRogena saved my debut novel! I had gone to another editor and received my manuscript back worse off than when I sent it. At the last minute, Rogena took me on and saved my debut! She works fast, and she is thorough. I was so happy with her work on my first novel that I am using her again for my current manuscript. She is a true professional and has been nothing but patient in answering all my questions along the way. I don’t think I’ll ever trust anyone else with my work!
Katrina Alba is the Bestselling Author of Seasons and others to be released soon. Follow her on Amazon or Facebook to keep up with her writing. Jordan CosmoAs a first-time self-published creative nonfiction author, I consider myself fortunate to have obtained Rogena for my copy-editing and formatting needs. I handed her a lengthy and complex manuscript in-the-raw, and she skillfully combed and polished my content into a refined and print-ready piece. What I appreciated most about working with Rogena was her accessibility and congeniality. She responded to my questions quickly and thoroughly with a delightful balance of professionalism, friendliness, and humor. As I dealt with a number of other rookie stresses, my affiliation with Rogena was worry-free, knowing my story was in good hands.
Jordan Cosmo is the author of Mind Your Head: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Suicidal Queer Christian Missionary Kid. She and her wife also create beautiful music together. Follow her on Amazon and Facebook. Website: www.jordancosmo.com Jess BuffettI've worked with several editors so far in my career. However, working with Rogena was the first time I had tried my hand at self-publishing. Not only was her work phenomenal, but Rogena took the time to calm my nerves, understand my work, and also help me feel pride for a manuscript I had begun to doubt. Since releasing 'Always Been You,' I have hit multiple bestseller lists, and I believe it is in large part to Rogena's editing skills. I appreciate her ability to notice things I had missed and to be able to help me retain my voice even as she fixed my mistakes. Rogena understands personal needs, budgets, and timing. She goes above and beyond in working with you to deliver an end result to be proud of publishing. I have and will continue to recommend her to anyone looking for an editor or formatter—whether they are newbies or old hands in the business.
Jess Buffett is a Bestselling Author of romance, M/M, F/M, F/F, and she loves happily ever afters. Follow her on Amazon and Facebook. L.A. BressettAs a first time author, the task of finding an editor is nothing short of daunting. Finding one who treats your story as their own, while improving upon your efforts, all without taking away your personality from the text, is even more difficult. Rogena did just that and so much more. She was an absolute pleasure to work with. She puts so much heart and effort into her work and always takes the time to communicate and answer any questions. Rogena is affordable, professional, passionate, and I’ll be using her for any future projects.
L.A. Bressett is the New Indie Bestselling Author of the Vengeful Honor Series, Wild Chase, Book 1. Find her on Goodreads Here. J.L. BeckWhen I came to Rogena, it was on very short notice. Somehow, she managed to fit me into her already very full schedule. She worked with me on payments and even allowed me to add more to my manuscript. She was extremely professional yet had a glowing sense of humor. She made me feel confident, not only about my writing, but about her editing. After looking over the manuscript she had edited for me, I can tell you that I will be coming back to her from here on out. Good editors are hard to come by, and that’s exactly what Rogena is—an excellent editor.
J.L. Beck is an AMAZON Bestselling Author of the Bittersweet Series (Book 1-5) and A Kingpin Love Affair Series. Follow her on Facebook and Amazon. Jennifer SivecI've been writing all of my life, and have always written directly from the heart, but while I love to write, I was very nervous about hiring an editor. Having Rogena Mitchell-Jones edit my debut novel, Leaving Eva, which I had previously released, alleviated all of my trepidation of handing my work over to someone else to edit. She did such a wonderful job polishing my work without compromising its essence. She is passionate, enthusiastic, and professional. Rogena is unbelievably supportive and empathetic of Authors and deadlines, which she displays with her excellent level of communication and follow up. She has exceeded my expectations in every way, and I am so glad that I found her! She is currently working on my second novel, Losing Eva, the sequel to my debut novel, and I will continue to use her for my future work, as well.
Jennifer Sivec, Bestselling Author, can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, or follow her Blog on WordPress. Leaving Eva is available on Amazon! Danielle Tara EvansI used to believe I wouldn't be able to find a good editor at an affordable price. That was before I discovered Rogena Mitchell-Jones Manuscript Service. Thanks to Rogena's service, I feel much more confident about publishing my second novel, (and soon my third, which is currently being edited by both Rogena and her friend, Anne Cleary.) They are both a pleasure to work with. It is easy to see that Rogena cares and wants to help authors pursue their dreams. She is passionate about what she does, and it shows. I will definitely recommend Rogena Mitchell-Jones Manuscript Service to other authors.
Danielle Tara Evans, Bestselling Author of The Cleansing and The Revolt. www.danielletaraevans.com. Rebecca D MyersI was so fortunate to have Rogena proofread my manuscript. She takes her editing seriously. Rogena is professional all the way and her communication skills are excellent. I will definitely recommend her to anyone. If you want perfection, you’re headed in the right direction when you hire her.
Rebecca Myers is the author of My Journey To Heaven and Back, which was her debut novel, published in 2012. Her second book, Remember Not a Word, is available on Amazon. Frank StefanickEvery now and then in life you come in contact with a distant person, someone you may never meet face to face, give them a friendly peck on the cheek or shake their hand in a normal handshake. However, a connection develops that reaches beyond those mentioned above and that has happened in my case. I recently had a book edited by Rogena Mitchell. Not only was the work professionally done, but her skills gave additional life to the story. All of it was completed in a more than a reasonable period of time. The most engaging were the personal phone calls regarding the story and what I was trying to convey. She was both teacher and guide without an overbearing attitude. I thought this experience was important to pass on to other writers.
Frank Stefanick is the Bestselling Author of Shadow of the Lonely, When Justice Fails, and Justice is Vengeance. His books can be found on Amazon. (Deceased 2015 — RIP, my friend.) |
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