About Me

Aime Sund, freelance editor and owner of Red Leaf Word Services, specializing in fantasy and romance fiction.

Aime Sund – The Narrative Gardener

I'm Aime Sund, a freelance editor who approaches manuscripts the way I approach gardens—as living ecosystems where every element either supports or competes with the whole.


After 25+ years as a professional horticulturist and six years editing fiction, I've developed Narrative Ecology™, a proprietary framework that applies ecological systems thinking to manuscript development. Instead of treating story problems as isolated craft issues, I diagnose how your plot, characters, worldbuilding, and themes interact as a dynamic system—identifying what's thriving, what's struggling, and what needs adjustment to help your story flourish.


This approach is particularly valuable for:

  • Fantasy authors wrestling with complex worldbuilding that overwhelms character development
  • Romance writers balancing spice, emotional arcs, and relationship dynamics across series
  • Authors with large casts who need help maintaining consistency and distinct character voices
  • Series writers managing interconnected story threads across multiple books


If your manuscript feels stuck despite multiple revisions, or if beta readers say “something's not working” but can't pinpoint what, you likely have an ecosystem problem—not a craft problem.

How Horticulture Informs My Editorial Work

My background isn't just metaphorical. With a BS in Horticulture from Rutgers University and over two decades in the landscape industry, I've held both professional certifications available in Massachusetts, maintained a commercial pesticide license, and worked across greenhouse production, nursery stock sales, and farming.


Working with plants requires observing the smallest details and tracking them across seasons—noticing which combinations thrive together, which compete for resources, and how environmental pressure affects growth patterns. This same systems-level thinking reveals patterns in manuscripts that traditional editorial approaches miss.


When your fantasy world includes detailed botanical magic systems, agricultural societies, or plant-based worldbuilding, you get the added benefit of working with an editor who actually knows how plants work. No more worried emails asking "Does this make botanical sense?"

Training & Credentials

My editorial foundation is built on focused, professional training. I've completed comprehensive coursework through Proofread Anywhere's General Proofreading program and numerous EFA courses in developmental, line, and copyediting.


My commitment to publishing runs deep—I began as a Distributed Proofreader for Project Gutenberg, contributing to works ranging from botanical compendiums to historical texts. I currently edit gardening and horticulture titles for Cool Springs Press, and remain active in writing communities, offering encouragement and guidance to authors developing their craft.


I also serve on the Board of Trustees for Thayer Memorial Public Library in Lancaster, Massachusetts.

 Professional Memberships

I maintain active membership in the organizations that set the standard for editorial excellence:


  • Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA)
  • National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE)
  • Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
  • Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)


Beyond the Red Pen

Aime Sund's shade garden, reflecting the layered ecosystem thinking behind Narrative Ecology™

I'm a passionate reader of fantasy, romance, romantasy, and historical fiction—the genres I most enjoy editing. I also bring editorial perspective to works involving holistic healing, astrology, self-help, fitness, and travel.


I was born an Aquarius under a full moon, which my mother recognized early as a thirst for independence and knowledge. She taught me to read at age three, giving me my first lifelong passion. The second came later: plants.


I grew up on a small family farm in New England, which gave me an early understanding of seasonal rhythms and living systems. I thought I wanted to pursue veterinary studies, but discovered horticulture was where my heart truly lived. That led to professional certifications, a commercial pesticide license, and eventually ten years as the horticulturist for one of the oldest golf courses in the country—before I returned home to my roots on the farm, where I continue to grow today.


The travel spell had taken hold in 1992 when I spent three weeks in post-communist Russia on a government ambassador program. That wanderlust followed me to Dublin, where I spent my junior year studying abroad—and playing on the university soccer team. Nine months with Europe at my feet remains one of the best experiences of my life. Travel is truly the best teacher, through humble methods.


These days, I split my time between editing manuscripts, tending my own gardens, and navigating life with three dogs: Cedar, Nyssa, and Dash. The seasonal rhythms of gardening inform my editorial work—I understand the importance of letting things rest, knowing when to prune, and recognizing that growth happens in stages.

Working Together

I approach each project with meticulous attention to detail and a deep commitment to helping authors cultivate their work into its best form. I edit to preserve and complement the unique voice, style, and tone that defines your work.


Whether you need a Story Ecosystem Assessment to diagnose manuscript problems, developmental editing to restructure complex narratives, line editing to refine prose, or copyediting to polish your work before publication, I bring both scientific expertise and editorial precision to every story.


Ready to see what Narrative Ecology™ can reveal about your manuscript?


Contact me to discuss your project.