Stephanie Cross is a writer and editor with over nine years of experience within the publishing industry. What began as a simple love for books and telling stories transformed into a career in and passion for the written word. With hundreds of books edited and several of her own bylines, Stephanie is committed to curating stories with care and excellence and created Story Craft to help you tell your story.
Wherever you find yourself on your writing journey, welcome.
This was my first time working with a professional editor, and I found Stephanie a joy to work with. She didn’t just focus on correcting the language; she focused on learning my message and collaborating with me to clarify it even more. Her enthusiastic feedback showed me that many parts were working well, some parts needed tweaking, and a few parts needed untangling. Her work brought a level of consistency to the text that I wouldn’t have achieved on my own. By the time we reached our final review, the manuscript had been thoroughly combed through and cleaned up. We finished on schedule. The message of the book is even clearer now, and the text shines! I’d definitely work with her again.
— Jeff
Working with Stephanie was an incredible experience. She is incredibly thorough and knowledgeable as a writer and editor. Every edit and comment she made was helpful, and she checked, and rechecked, my sources and endnotes. Her theology is sound and her heart is tender and encouraging as well. When I think about writing in the future, knowing I can work with Stephanie gives me confidence my work will be stronger and better because she is behind it. She is excellent at what she does!
— Susannah
Stephanie is one of the most conscientious, dedicated, and thorough editors I’ve worked with. I can always trust her to do exceptional work when it comes to any writing or editing projects I send her way.
— Karen
Stephanie holds a Master’s in life coaching from Liberty University and has worked in publishing since 2014.
After growing up in North Carolina, Stephanie moved to Nashville, where she worked for Lifeway. In 2018, she decided to move home to North Carolina, where she met her husband and started her freelance editing and writing business.
During this time, Stephanie has worked with major publishers—including Lifeway, Bible Study Fellowship, and the Fedd Agency—as a writer, developmental editor, and copy editor of Bible studies, devotionals, and Christian non-fiction.
Stephanie also loves working with independent authors and organizations—like Freedom Church Alliance, Student Leadership University, and Gospel for Enneagram. Whether she’s serving as a coach, writer, or editor, she loves helping people tell their stories—and she fully believes there’s no story too small to tell.
Stephanie resides in Lexington, North Carolina, with her husband. When she’s not working, you’ll find her at the gym, traveling, exploring outdoors, or hanging out in coffee shops.
RECENT BOOKS EDITED
Daniel by J.D. Greear | Lifeway Small Group Publishing
Bible Study | Copy Edits
March 2023
Wander Well by Brent Crowe | Student Leadership University
Christian non-fiction | Developmental and Copy Edits
March 2023
Thin Spaces by Keri Burrell
Devotional | Developmental and Copy Edits
August 2022
RECENT BOOKS WRITTEN
The Fight for Freedom by Freedom Church Alliance (Contributing Writer)
January 2023
Truth and Love: The Timeless Message of 1–3 John | Lifeway Students Devotions
December 2022
In Light of This: 30 Devotions on How to Live for Jesus’s Return | Lifeway Students Devotions
February 2022
WORKS IN PROGRESS
The Gospel Project for Students | Midweeks and Middle School Options
April 2022-Present
Bible Study Fellowship | Student Program
September 2022-Present
Lifeway Students Devotions | Articles
July 2020-Present