Susan Salley has led publishing teams for over 25 years, partnering with authors to develop and produce their best work.
She has worked with best-selling authors in Christian Living, Fiction, Inspirational, and Bible Studies.
What is keeping you from publishing the work that you want to share with the world? Do you have questions about the publishing process and available options or just need a fresh editorial review of your manuscript? Do you find yourself short on time and need help scheduling milestones and completing your draft? Sometimes the right partner can help you step forward and achieve your dream.
We offer several ways to help authors ranging from an exploratory conversation to a writing partner and coach:
Getting Started. Schedule a consultation call to talk through your plan. Make a list of your questions for a one-hour conversation with a follow-up email and check-in call.
Presenting Your Book with a Strong Proposal. Get the help you need to engage agents and publishers with your project. The message is yours but we help with the outline, structure, and finished presentation.
Shaping Your Book. We partner with you to consider how your format, voice, and writing style connect with your target reader in the way you desire. Are there changes that you can make that will help you present your best work? This partnership includes an initial online meeting, a full set of editorial notes, and two rounds of revisions.
Fresh Eyes. Sometimes, after you’ve invested your heart in a writing project, you just need someone new to read the manuscript and have a conversation about the readiness of the work and about your personal goals for writing. Rates vary by word count and include a written review and 90 minute telephone conversation or Zoom meeting.
Susan Salley is an editor, writer, and author consultant. She was most recently Associate Publisher at Abingdon Press in Nashville for over twenty-five years, partnering with authors and overseeing editorial teams in Christian Living, Fiction, and video-based Bible studies.
Susan partnered with best-selling Christian author, Adam Hamilton, through 20 books including The Journey, Enough, Half Truths, and Creed. She also acquired and developed the NYT Best Selling title, Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Divisive America by Jennifer Harvey. Working with Bishop Robert Schnase, they developed a portfolio of content for the successful Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations line. She launched the Abingdon Women Bible Study series with editor and spiritual director Sally Sharpe, growing the line together to 17 authors and 30 studies by 2024.
An avid traveler, Susan loves helping women find the confidence and skills to travel. She has visited six continents and makes one solo adventure every year writing about the spiritual side of traveling alone. Her writing sidekick is rescue dog, Prudence, who always has an opinion.
Susan Salley served as my senior editor and publishing partner for more than twenty books. She is an amazing human being. Thoughtful, kind, and honest, she knows the publishing industry, and she knows the heart of an author. Her counsel and guidance would be a huge asset to any aspiring author!
Adam Hamilton
Best-selling Author of The Journey, Why?, and over 30 popular books
Susan Salley is your trusted ally on the sacred path of storytelling. Whether you’re polishing a manuscript or shaping a persuasive book proposal, Susan illuminates your unique voice and structures your vision, empowering you to connect deeply with your readers and fulfill your publishing dreams.
Rachel Billups
Author of An Unlikely Advent and Be Bold
Every author needs a creative advocate who can help them find and share their own voice. Writer, Editor, and Coach, Susan Salley has the experience and expertise to walk alongside those who have a story to tell. Through navigating tenor and tone, structure and story, Susan leads storytellers from idea to finished offering, bringing author and audience together for the gift of a good story.
Matt Rawle
Author of The Redemption of Scrooge and The Heart That Grew Three Sizes
From her life-long career in the world of publishing, Susan brings both intuitive wisdom and editorial expertise. She knows the field of writing like few others. She knows what will work and how to make it work. She knows the nuts-and-bolts of publishing, but, more importantly, Susan has that remarkable instinct for quality writing that will resonate with readers and make a difference in our world.
Ronald J. Greer
Counselor, Author of The Quiet House and If You Know Who You Are, You’ll Know What to Do
Susan Salley Books 