Martine Bellen was recommended to me by a publishing agent to edit my book on spirituality, religion, and politics. As the subject matter suggests, the manuscript was a potential minefield and needed to be cogent and well-organized to be effective. The collaboration with Martine was excellent and converted my manuscript into a book. Martine understood my purpose, style, and central objectives and skillfully transformed my set of ideas and arguments into an effective and readable text. I am greatly indebted to Martine for working with me to move this project forward.
—Grady Means, author of Meta-Capitalism and The New Enlightenment

Martine Bellen's help with my novel, Snaketown, was invaluable, wonderful—and gentle. Among so many other things, she helped me see that who I thought was my most important character was, alarmingly, not needed at all, and, in fact was confusing to my story. I gave Martine everything I had: first, second and third drafts, a first- person change to third, and probably a few hundred italics; flowers, places, names, and exclamations. She kept her calm, and with sincere focus and sensitivity, helped me toward the light. I loved working with her. She continues to be available and helpful when I have questions or need advice. That she has been an editor at a major New York publishing house, gives her the insight into that complicated world, that she is a poet, I believe, gives her the sensitivity to find the beauty of a writer's individual work. 
—Kathleen Wakefield

As a novice, writing my first novel, I was amazed by Martine's ability to visualize my entire novel and make succinct  comments that were specific to a particular sentence while referring to the structure and narrative of the entire work. I showed the nine pages of suggestions and comments in the editorial letter to two friends who are published authors. Their responses to Martine's work were identical: "I paid a lot more and got a lot less to have my book edited.  Could I have her information for my next novel?"
   I am very pleased.
—Erik R. Brown (Palm Beach, Florida)

Martine Bellen is a joy to work with and someone I recommend most highly to other writers.  She is a skillful, sensitive editor with excellent judgment and tremendous respect for an author's voice.  Whether she's commenting on the overall arc of a story or zeroing in on a specific phrase or line of dialogue, her comments are always insightful and constructive.
—Amanda Filipacchi, author of Love Creeps, Vapor and Nude Men

Martine Bellen is the kind of editor every writer should be so lucky to have. She knows how to praise, as well as how to dispense useful criticism. She completely absorbed what I was trying to do in my first go at a novel, and in an amazingly detailed editorial letter (and later by phone) she pointed out weak spots and incongruities, plot threads that led to nowhere, and deficiencies in characters. She uncovered potentials in plot and character that I had overlooked, often making creative suggestions for strengthening the story. I am very grateful for her kind attentions.
—Donald Smith

Martine Bellen is a very clever, intelligent,  thoughtful, and thorough editor.  She is nurturing yet highly professional, with keen eyes and ears.  She hones in on the heart of the matter and delivers the goods...a goldmine for any author.
—Taylor Barton

It was a pleasure working with Martine Bellen.  She grabbed immediate hold of the dangling threads in my manuscript and weaved them into a cohesive and comprehensible story.  Whether critiquing or complimenting, she is thoughtful and astute.  When she takes on a project, she is accessible and focused.  I found her insights invaluable and look forward to working with her again.
—Rochelle Weinstein (North Miami Beach, Florida)