Learn more about Crystal 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. Crystal personally provides services to New York Times bestselling authors and Big Five publishers.
I am 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: Knitting and binge-watching
Personal Details
I’m a 43-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 Netflix binge monster, 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 formerly cohosted the podcasts EnderCast and JabberCast. TV show obsessions include Lucifer, Castle, LOST, and Game of Thrones.
Find out who completes the Pikko’s House team.
Find out who completes the Pikko’s House team.
Angela Traficante
Angela is a fiction editor and beta reader with a degree in English and has been editing full time since 2019. She has published several urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels.
Joined: 2021
Beth Hodgson
Beth is a wife, mother, writer, artist, cosplayer, and gamer. She loves all things fantasy and science fiction, especially stories with epic plots and magic. She also has an obsession with pixel art.
Joined: 2019
Carla Pinilla
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.
Joined: 2015
Cheryl Murphy
Cheryl has been editing and proofreading since 2012 and enjoys writing whenever she gets the urge. She specializes in all genres of science fiction, fantasy, and the interstitial.
Joined: 2018
Clarine Harp
A longtime acquaintance of Crystal, Clarine provides behind-the-scenes virtual assistance.
Joined: 2021
Elizabeth Spencer
A 15-year Air Force vet with degrees in Psychology and Intelligence, Liz loves all things sci-fi/fantasy and YA. She now spends her days playing Heads Up, Seven Up and teaching children to read.
Joined: 2021
Emily Mah
Joined: 2022
Erik Wecks
Joined: 2022
Ernie Luis
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 developmental fiction and nonfiction line editor.
Joined: 2018
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Joined: 2022
Jody Wenner
Jody is an indie author with four mystery novels and several science fiction shorts published. She reads widely and is well-connected to the indie writing community and current trends within it.
Joined: 2019
Lisa Gilliam
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.
Joined: 2017
Michele Ford
Joined: 2019
Rachel Rowlands
Rachel holds a degree in English and Creative Writing and has been editing for publishers and authors since 2017. She also writes fantasy books.
Joined: 2019
Sarah Grace Liu
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.
Joined: 2017
Shylah Addante
Joined: 2021
Tara Avery
Joined: 2021
Therin Knite
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.
Joined: 2018