About Pikko’s House

Learn more about Crystal Watanabe and the Pikko’s House team.

Aloha!

My name is Crystal Watanabe, and I am an independent editor for fiction authors. I’ve loved books all my life, and I believe that helping authors achieve their publishing dreams is what I was meant to do.

In 2012, I did a beta reading for Hugh Howey, bestselling author of Wool, for Third Shift: Pact. He was so happy with my feedback that he suggested I start doing this for authors, and he offered to send referrals my way for editing if I wanted it. I was working in a career in administration at the time, so I wasn’t ready. I eventually took him up on his offer, and I began editing full-time in late summer 2014. Pikko’s House now works on over seventy-five novels a year and serves more than 150 clients around the world, both in self-published and traditionally published circles.

I am a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), a founding member of the Association of Independent Publishing Professionals (AIPP), a member of the Authors Guild, and an affiliate member of the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA). I have been a supporting member of WorldCon since 2016.

Crystal in a Nutshell

Creative, goofy, passionate.

Loves: Domokun, comics, science fiction, Star Wars, Marvel, Game of Thrones, and The Hunger Games.

Personal Details

I’m a 39-year-old wife and mother to three living in Honolulu, Hawaii. Born and raised in the small town of Hilo, Hawaii, I grew up reading nonstop, doing that ridiculous flashlight-under-the-covers thing until I read myself into needing glasses in the first grade. After that, my parents let me read whenever I wanted as long as I had a good, strong lamp nearby.

I’m a Domokun addict, a Marvel fangirl, and a former hardcore gamer. In fact, the name Pikko was the name of my character in Final Fantasy XI, where I achieved minor fame as a gardening Tarutaru, spending hours and hours of time in my Mog House. Thus the name Pikko’s House.

In June 2010, Yum-Yum Bento Box was released, and I officially became a published author. The sequel to Yum-Yum Bento Box, Yum-Yum Bento All Year Round, is now available.

I am the owner and cofounder of the Hunger Games fansite Jabberjays.net. I cohosted EnderCast for 37 episodes and JabberCast for 28 episodes.

Find out who completes the Pikko’s House team.

Carla Pinilla

Proofreader

While Carla is a scientist first, holding a master’s degree in Polymer Science, she possesses a pair of eagle eyes that enables her to catch the little things. Carla speaks both English and Spanish.

Lisa Gilliam

Proofreader

Lisa has worked in various fields, including IT and accounting, but her true passion has always been words. She has over a decade of experience in editing and proofreading.

Cheryl Murphy

Proofreader

Cheryl has been editing and proofreading since 2012 and writes whenever she gets the urge. She specializes in all science fiction, fantasy, and the interstitial.

Sarah Grace Liu

Proofreader

Sarah writes science fiction and poetry and holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing. She has been editing and proofreading for several years and specializes in speculative fiction of all sorts.

Ernie Luis

Editor

Ernie originally knew Crystal as his editor first, but after earning a degree in Creative Writing, Ernie began working for Pikko’s House as a nonfiction developmental and line editor.

Therin Knite

Editor/Proofreader

Therin holds a degree in English Literature and writes science fiction and fantasy novels. She has been an editor/proofreader since 2014 and specializes in the same genres she writes.

Beth A. Riley

Editor

Beth considers her greatest reward as an editor being a writer’s partner, advocate, coach, cheerleader, and supporter. She works on projects for Pikko’s House as a nonfiction line editor.

Akiko Tamano

Editor

Akiko has been passionate about language and story since a young age. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and works on projects for Pikko’s House as a nonfiction line editor.