Bio

Laura Kelly headshot from Oct. 2020.Laura E. Kelly has more than two decades of experience as an editorial executive in book and magazine publishing. Working in a variety of start-up and established companies over the course of her career, Laura’s work has included strategizing, staffing, and planning new product launches, while managing creative teams and allocating resources.

She has worked with a range of high-profile companies, including Reader’s Digest (as VP, Global Editor-in-Chief of their direct-mail book division), Wenner Media, Hachette Publications, Compassion & Choices, and Sesame Workshop. Among the authors she edited were James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark, Walter Isaacson, Robert Crais, and Nicholas Sparks.

In 2008, along with writer Warren Berger, Laura launched WBLK Media, Inc, an executive-level editorial services company that specializes in book proposals, articles, white papers, online content, and various other corporate writing and editing projects.

In her own business, she also edits and produces print-on-demand books and ebooks, and consults with publishers and authors about self-publishing on Amazon’s Kindle Desktop Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark platforms, including advising on resources such as Reedsy.com freelancers and agent acquisition. In addition to editing, Laura works with authors and other entrepreneurs looking to extend their brand into the digital space. See more about those projects at LauraKellyDesign.com 

A native of Michigan now living in New York, Laura has a B.A. in English with high honors from The University of Michigan and is a graduate of the Stanford Professional Publishing Course in Palo Alto, CA.


Click to see my post on being a “Self-publishing wingman”

A few words of editorial praise…

“You are a woman of many talents! Editing, typesetting, book promotion, and graphic design, too. You are amazingly prolific and endlessly helpful. I’m very grateful. You are the best partner I could imagine in this struggle to communicate difficult truths. Thank you for being marvelous.”

Barbara Coombs Lee, President Emerita of Compassion & Choices and author of Finish Strong: Putting Your Priorities First at Life’s End

{See more about my editorial project management work on this project in my post Shepherding a New Book Called Finish Strong.}


“A note of thanks for all the professional help you provided. From the start, you made this whole process easy and your assistance made the whole project move super-smoothly.  The book has struck a responsive chord with readers. Mission accomplished!”

Stuart Griffith, self-published author

“When you say we got a bargain with you, that is a monumental understatement. This updated 2022 edition of Finish Strong would not have been possible without you. Your commitment, judgment, and attention to detail are exceptional. And you have been a pleasure to work with. In fact, I am looking for a reason to tell you that you can’t leave.”

Mark Robinson, National Director of Marketing & Communications, Compassion & Choices

“Just wanted to let you know that I continue to get really nice and positive feedback from the article you wrote about me. I’ve had numerous people approach me at various times to start up a conversation about it. You’re a great listener and writer. Thanks again for your time and talent in capturing the story.“

Robert Fuhrer, Nextoy founder, “He’s All Fun and Games”

“Laura E. Kelly was our key to offering state-of-the-art social media consultation to our clients, along with one-stop shopping for editing, producing and promoting print-on-demand and e-books.”

Joe Tessitore, Dilenschneider Group Inc.

“During her many years working with Reader’s Digest Association, Laura proved to be one of our best editors, skillfully editing and condensing lengthy books into a form and length that works for mass-market readership. She is an excellent communicator and also an expert project manager who can take an idea from conception to launch.”

Tanis Erdmann, Reader’s Digest Association

More testimonials »


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