Testimonials
As president and publisher of Sierra Press, it has been my pleasure to
have known and worked with Nicky Leach for more than 20 years. Over the
course of these two decades I have employed Nicky as both writer and/or
editor on dozens of publications.
As talented as she is at these skills, it is the passion, humor, and
humanity Nicky brings to every project that truly sets her apart, and
keeps publishers such as myself coming back for more. Simply stated,
Nicky cares. She gives herself completely to every project, whether
small and mundane or big and challenging.
As a writer, her research and grasp of any subject is truly amazing. I
have never worked with an author who “gets it” the way Nicky does. She
listens, she studies, and she improves every publication as a result of
her involvement. As an editor her uncanny skill at improving other
writers efforts is genuinely amazing. I have a number of authors who
specifically request that Nicky edit their work, knowing it is they,
and their writing, that will benefit!
I am already looking forward to developing another project that will
provide the opportunity to work with Nicky again, soon!
Jeff Nicholas
President and Publisher,
Mariposa, California
I've known Nicky for nine years and have worked with her
professionally on several writing and editing projects. In fact, we
co-authored a book together (Insider's Guide: Santa Fe, 3rd edition;
Globe Pequot Publishing, 2003). I've also read many of Nicky's books and articles, both in
published and in manuscript form. She is truly a pleasure to work with
and a marvelous writer. Particularly impressive are her research
skills, attention to detail, and ability to garner colorful anecdotes
and pithy quotations. Her prose always reflects her passion for and
understanding of her subjects, often the result of her immersion in
deep study of an assigned topic for months at a time. Anyone who hires
Nicky gets much more than his or her money's worth. She is a multitalented hard worker whose secrets weapons include a wry sense of
humor, a love of language, and an enormous heart.
Writer, editor, tour guide
Teacher of stress reduction
Silver City, New Mexico
I love working with Nicky on our travel guidebooks—you tell her what
you want and you get that and more. Detailed research and excellent
writing skills are her hallmarks.
Claire Chun
Managing Editor,
When an important assignment lands on my desk, two words come to mind:
"Call Nicky." She's a gifted writer with the smarts and resourcefulness
to handle just about any topic, and she knows the meaning of a
deadline. I've been working with her for nearly 20 years, and she's
still at the top of my list of favorite writers.
John Gattuso
Publisher
Milford, New Jersey
I'm delighted to
recommend Nicky Leach as the finest editor it has been my privilege to
work with. She was hired by my publisher, Findhorn Press, to edit Princes, Frogs, and Ugly Sisters: The Healing Power of the Grimm
Brothers Tales (2010), and she proved herself again and again to be an
expert in her craft. Not only was she detailed and precise in the
overall editing, but through her insight, careful understanding, and
sensitivity she was able to identify sections where the original
material did not flow properly. Her genius lies in being able to
straighten out writing that has become entangled, and to make
alterations that result in far better prose. Some editors will simply correct typos; Nicky will straighten out
knotted sections so that the writing becomes clearer, better, more
persuasive. In addition it's also worth stating that she is very quick.
There is no waiting around for returned copy, and no long email-silence
to drive a writer mad.
If you need a thoroughly professional, prompt, precise editor who has
world-class abilities, then Nicky Leach is the person to contact. I'm
looking forward to working with her on many more projects.
Author, Teacher, Psychotherapist
Boston, Massachusetts
I highly
recommend Nicky Leach as editor for any writing project you
might have. She recently edited my book, The
Confident Creative:
Inspiration from The Saturday Morning Drawing Club, (Findhorn
Press, 2010),with
patient
attention to detail and keen insight. My publisher hired Nicky and it
could not have been a better match. Art and creativity are not Nicky's
advertised specialties yet she brought a depth of insight to the
project that was perfectly in sync with my own intentions. It was a
pleasure to discover her way with words and her expertise with commas
and other grammatical devices, which slowed the pace of the text in
such thoughtful ways. I'm especially grateful for the professional way
in which Nicky turned the project around and handed it back to me in a
timely fashion before her deadline. I expected an editor to clean up my
punctuation and adjust phrasing for the sake of clarity. Nicky did that
but added value through astute asides on the subject itself that prove
she is both deeply well read and thoughtful on a wide range of
subjects. When I next need an editor, it will be Nicky Leach whom I
call, for sure! Boston,
Massachusetts
As a French-speaking author, writing a book directly in English for the first
time, I was blessed to have Nicky Leach as editor of my book The Gift of Forgiveness: A Magical Encounter with Don Miguel Ruiz (Findhorn Press, 2010). Nicky did a
great job of improving my English and rephrasing sentences. More than that, I
was lucky to benefit from her years of writing experience and expertise which,
as a regular editor myself for French authors, I appreciate for their genuine
and rare value. Many books are published in English – I see that on a daily
basis, being also an English-French translator – without ever benefiting from
such a fine work. Writing well is a skill. Not all authors who have important
things to say possess this skill, and even those who do would really appreciate
the fine tuning a professional editor like Nicky can bring to their book.
Writer, Editor, Translator
Geneva, Switzerland
Nicky Leach was a blessing for my book Healing With Source (Findhorn Press, 2010)! As a former editor, I though
I'd written a good piece of grammatically correct work. Even so, Nicky found
redundancies, misspellings, discrepancies, and more. And even better, she
offered the highest-quality suggestions I'd ever received on this or any work.
Her speed and attention to detail were all top notch - a rare combination as
usually it's one or the other. Nicky's understanding of the material, her
super-friendly demeanor and professionalism, and her meticulous eye will
certainly mean that I will request that her light shine upon any future writings of mine.
Medical Intuitive, Author
I have known Nicky for seventeen years and value her as an editor who is
precise in her work and will always do her best to hit a given
deadline. She is very conscientious and professional in her approach to
her writing. She has an in depth knowledge of the national parks of the
west which has proven particularly useful to us.
Hazel Clark
Publisher
Flagstaff, Arizona
Awards
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Runner Up, Best General Guidebook, National Park Service Cooperating
Association Interpretive Excellence Competition for Cedar Breaks
National Monument visitor guide (Zion Natural History Association) -
1995-1996
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Runner Up, International Regional Magazine Awards for Traveling in Navajoland for New Mexico Magazine
