about me
I fell in love with books early and never looked back. After years as a literary agent at New Leaf Literary & Media in New York City—where I worked with New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors—I moved into full-time freelance editing and founded Temperly Editorial. Now, 15+ years later, I'm still doing what I love: helping fiction writers tell their best stories.
I've edited award-winning and bestselling books across genres, including The Grace Year by Kim Liggett, Truthwitch by Susan Dennard, Frostblood by Elly Blake, and They Come in All Colors by Malcolm Hansen. I've also had the privilege of teaching workshops at Columbia University, Yale University, Sarah Lawrence College, Writer's Digest, and attending leading industry events like the Bologna Book Festival, Frankfurt Book Festival, London Book Fair, Cannes Film Festival, and LA International Film Festival.
I work across Adult, Young Adult, and Middle Grade fiction—especially fantasy, horror, mystery, historical, romance, and sci-fi. I'm drawn to stories with big worlds, strong voices, and characters who stick with you.
I approach editing with a hands-on attitude, an eye for detail, and a sense of humor. I see my editorial role as a two-way partnership—transparent, candid, and encouraging. My goal is always the same: help you shape your story into the best possible version.
“Jaida’s editorial advice was invaluable on a wide range of projects - from a classic-feeling Middle Grade set in a village in the UK, to a Young Adult psychological thriller. Her notes truly helped me to polish my work and take it to the next level before going out on submission.”
— Allison Rushby, author of 'The Mulberry Tree', 'The Turnkey', and 'The Fifth Room’
why work with me?
There are a lot of talented editors out there. Here's what makes working with me different:
✔ Sharp Editorial Instincts. I've spent my entire career immersed in editing fiction manuscripts—what makes them work, what makes them fall apart, and how to fix them. I see the big picture and the sentence-level details.
✔ I've Been on the Other Side of the Desk. As a former literary agent, I know what agents and editors are looking for—and what makes them say yes.
✔ I'm Direct, but I'm in Your Corner. You'll get honest, incisive feedback delivered with care. No vague praise, no discouraging tear-downs—just clear direction that moves you forward.
✔ I Don't Disappear After the Edit. You'll get more than a document full of notes. I'm available to talk through your questions, brainstorm fixes, and make sure you know your path forward.
If that sounds like the kind of editorial partnership you're looking for, I'd love to hear from you.
Where You Might Have Seen Me
I stay active in the publishing world—teaching workshops, speaking at conferences, and attending industry events. It keeps me connected to what's happening in the market and helps me bring fresh perspective to every project I work on. Here are few places you might have seen me:
