To Write is Human
To Edit is Divine
2023 Jan Morris Prize Winner
I am happy to announce that my newest author, Romana Shaik, has won the Kali's Moksha 2023 Jan Morris Short Prose Prize for her piece "Honorable Killing." It has been an incredible ride working with Romana and getting to help her tell the story of her remarkable life, she and I are currently working on her memoir and will be querying by summer next year. Please read the award-winning piece and get to know Romana's impeccable prose!
Client Testimonials
Jasmine Saddiqui, Debut Novelist signed to Transatlantic Agency in 2023
“Giovanna has been an absolute dream to work with. Helping me with an incredibly ambitious novel, she has been like a second brain, keen eye, and voice of reason all in one. She works hard to understand what you are trying to achieve first, and then caters all of her notes to your vision and goal. From large-scale brainstorming to minute details, she offers accuracy, flexibility, and even much-needed encouragement in those critical moments which writers know all too well. I cannot recommend her enough!”
Natalie Lemle, Debut Novelist signed to William Morris Endeavor in 2023
“What I most appreciated at first was her uncanny ability to ascertain what I was trying to do with my book in progress. She came to our conversations with curiosity, sharp intelligence, and so much heart. A few months into our work together, I felt more optimistic about where I was headed with the book. With Giovanna's encouragement and developmental edits, I was able to push forward. I'm so glad I did; when I went into the query phase, I ended up with far more manuscript requests than I ever thought I would, along with two offers of representation. Giovanna is a sensitive and astute reader and editor, and I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with her. ”
The writing and publishing process can be very lonely and stressful. Even in creative work it is important to build connections and delegate. Finding the right editor and consultant, can mean the difference between years working by yourself, and finding a community and audience to create art with. Let me help you take your work to the next level!
Services
Developmental and Copyediting
Need help with your writer's block? Or do you want to take your manuscript to the next level? Let me help you get your work into top shape before you hit the agent and editorial market.
Publishing Consulting
Have you needed help navigating the publishing world? You may have difficulty finding an agent or getting your self-published manuscript to the right readers. The submission and contract process can be daunting; let me help you get through it with ease and gain personal networking.
Translation
The translation is a challenging form, and with AI taking over, many of the cultural nuances of your text, service, or product can be lost in translation. If you need Portuguese-English translation for your book or business, or another language, I can either help you directly or help you find the right translator for the job
Meet your Editor
Giovanna Centeno is a translator and editor focused on helping writers and businesses navigate the publishing world. Her most recent work translated the Amazonian epic I-Juca-Pirama and a series of other poems by 19th-century writer Gonçalves Dias, whose work had never been translated into English. The book was submitted as the final project for her MA in Publishing at Emerson University, from which she graduated with honors. She works as a freelance editor to several English language novelists and plans to found her own publishing house dedicated to translating writers from the Lusophone world.
Giovanna Centeno
Editor, Writer, and Translator