Editing Services
Bruce Leonard has been a professional editor for decades. He collaborates with accomplished writers who care about clarity, voice, and craft—and who want their work taken seriously.
Background & Experience
Bruce began his editing career early, serving as sports edditor of his high school newspaper before writing for The Daily Bruin at UCLA. After college, he wrote for dozens of magazines and newspapers, primarily as a travel writer, while continuing to edit professionally.
He later became a copy editor at Live! Magazine, an experience he credits with teaching him how much he still had to learn about editing—even as an established, professional writer with dozens of national magazine credits. From there, he freelanced as a copy editor and as proofreader for various publications, including LA Weekly.
Bruce went on to serve as:
- Editor of The Chronicle-News, a daily newspaper in Trinidad, Colorado
- News Editor (and effective top editor) of the News-Review in Roseburg, Oregon
- Managing Editor / Associate Editor of a magazine in Los Angeles
Articles he edited in Colorado won statewide journalism awards, and he has since edited nonfiction books and novels, many of which have gone on to receive awards of their own.
What He Edits
Bruce accepts a limited number of editing projects, including:
- Novels, specializing in literary fiction, mysteries, and thrillers
- Literary and narrative nonfiction
- Short story collections
- Nonfiction books
- Essays, résumés, and college application essays
His approach is collaborative, respectful, and practical. He focuses on strengthening structure, clarity, pacing, and voice—without flattening the author’s style or intent.
A Note on Availability
Bruce’s primary focus is his own writing, so he takes on editing work selectively. Projects that demonstrate care, seriousness, and readiness for editorial input are most likely to be a good fit.
If you’re looking for an editor who understands both the creative and professional sides of writing, he welcomes inquiries.
Rates
Editing rates vary depending on the type of work, manuscript length, and the level of editorial attention required. The following are general ranges to provide context:
Developmental Editing
Structural analysis, pacing, character development, and big-picture guidance
Starting at $0.06–$0.09 per word
Line Editing
Sentence-level clarity, rhythm, tone, and consistency
Starting at $0.04–$0.06 per word
Copy Editing
Grammar, usage, consistency, and factual accuracy
Starting at $0.025–$0.04 per word
Proofreading
Final polish after revisions are complete
Starting at $0.015–$0.02 per word
Manuscripts that require extensive cleanup or foundational revision may be priced higher or declined.
CONTACT
To discuss a potential project, email:
bruceleonardwriter@gmail.com
Please include a brief description of your project, its length, and what kind of editing you’re seeking.