About Riley
I am an editor, book designer, and graphic designer from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Preferring mountains to waves, I attended Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing and Specialization in Editing and Publishing. I was a bookseller at an independent bookstore for five years (lots of love for Phoenix Books), and began working for self-publishing authors as the assistant editor and marketing coordinator at Onion River Press. There, I edited and proofread dozens of books, spearheaded the marketing service expansion, designed books for print and electronic publication, designed a concept literary magazine, and learned the ins and outs of non-traditional publishing. In 2025, I moved to Bellingham, Washington, to romp around the Cascades, and now I work directly with independent authors as my own employer.
Featured Projects
Ditch the Ditty: Doing What Matters Instead of Doing It All
A January 2025 release from Onion River Press, Ditch the Ditty is a self-help book that empowers women to take control of their time and priorities. I designed the interior of this visually stimulating and graphic heavy paperback and ebook.
Sunshine, Moonshine
Sunshine, Moonshine is a middle grade historical novel from the late, award-winning author Bonnie Christensen and her daughter Emily Herder. I had the honor of editing this sweet story of young girl in the Prohibition Era who will do anything to save her family's homestead... even risk her own freedom.
Rock n' Roll T-Shirt
I had the pleasure of designing an 80s-inspired rock n' roll T-shirt with a hand-drawn font for a Burlington Music Dojo, a music school in Vermont.
Non-Freelance Experience
January 2023–April 2025
July 2022–October 2022
July 2020–present
September 2021–January 2022
Assistant Editor & Marketing Coordinator | Onion River Press
Burlington, Vermont
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Proofread, copy edited, and developmentally edited 30+ books for polished narratives and spotless presentation
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Initiated marketing menu and helped 10+ authors use marketing strategies and customized tools to sell their books
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Wrote press releases, flap copy, ARC letters, metadata, and author bios to help books find readers who love them
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Used InDesign to design book interiors, e-books, book covers, and marketing graphics for print and digital material
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Collaborated with a 4-person hybrid team to grow the press and develop tools for efficient project management
Graphic Designer | Green Mountain Book Festival '22
Burlington, Vermont
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Designed the event program, flyers, posters, banners, and social media graphics for attraction and recognition
Bookseller and Graphic Designer | Phoenix Books
Burlington, Vermont
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Provided excellent customer service and recommendations to create a positive and communal environment
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Demonstrated leadership skills while training new booksellers and running events both in-store and off-site
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Designed marketing materials, created elaborate in-store displays, and took photos of events for social media
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Wrote shelf-talkers, reviewed ARCs, and stayed informed about literary trends and bestselling titles
Professional Writing Intern | Wordwell Ltd.
Dublin, Ireland
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Wrote 2 articles for Books Ireland and researched content for Books Ireland’s “From the Archives” series
November 2020–December 2021
Profile Writer | Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Remote
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Wrote 100+ brief bios of Ouimet scholars for the 2020 Endowed Brochure, which was sent to hundreds of donors
Editorial Projects
a non-exhaustive list
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Developmental Editing
He Was Too Young to Die by Welles Bruce Lobb
Sunshine, Moonshine by Bonnie Christensen
Dear Aunt Bea by Rebecca Cummins
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Copy Editing
Searching for the Wild Asparagus by Glenn Reed
I’m Able by Sefakor G M a Komabu-Pomeyie
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Proofreading
The Challenges We Faced, The Women We Became by Ashley Barcroft
The Cage by M. L. Willard
Ambition: The Remarkable Family of Ethan Allen by Glenn Fay
Bygone Attractions of Chittenden County by Bob Blanchard
Red Heels and Red Flags by Scarlett Steel
Small Town Prosecutor: Trials of Killers, Con Men, and a Priest by Bob Simpson
Pitchfork by Frederica Steinberg
Parade of Drunks by Connie May
Stages: Ruminations, Rants, and Reminisces on a Life in Music by Paul Asbell
Memoirs of Isaac Kendall by Paul Andriscin
Homefree by Bobbi Loney
Beautiful Jail by Janet H. Wolfe
Retrospectoscope by Richard Bernstein
Every Heart Homeschooling by Esther Palmer
Daughters of Hestia by Marcella Strang Bixler
Antonia and the Shell People by Hope Lindsay
A Contemplative Life by Lyn Cronin Geer
The Ad Man's Summer by Richard N. Anderson & Lise Anderson
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Cover Design
Pitchfork by Frederica Steinberg
Beautiful Jail by Janet H. Wolfe​
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