Abby Muller – Editor

Thanks for clicking in! I'd love to work together on your next project.

After eight years in traditional publishing and more as a freelancer, I've developed a warm, collaborative style that is also rigorous, thorough, and thoughtful. My editorial work tends to focus on development and continuity of characters and themes, with close attention also paid to structure, plot, and pacing (see below for some testimonials from my authors!). I always offer concrete, actionable feedback, and I also aim to ask questions that will help you discover new approaches to your manuscript as you revise.

I have experience across genres with a focus on queer fiction and memoir. I also love weird and unsettling novels, magical realism, and memoirs that braid many strands. I have also enjoyed editing smart and engaging nonfiction about science, history, and culture.

In addition to my years of developmental and line editing experience, I also know a lot about how traditional publishing works, and I'm always ready to help demystify that black box for authors. As part of working together on any project, I'm glad to discuss industry questions you might have. I also always offer a follow-up Zoom or phone conversation post-edit.

I'm currently taking on query letter reviews and editorial assessments only.

TESTIMONIALS

"Abby has a gift for seeing a manuscript as a system of moving parts, and thereby identifying precisely what needs to be fixed. The greatest joy of the whole writing process was going back and forth with her in the Track Changes comments. She is such a funny, engaged reader, and I felt newly excited about my novel when seeing it through her eyes."

—James Frankie Thomas, author of IDLEWILD

"Abby's detailed editorial letters covered everything from plot, character, and prose to how to better incorporate backstory, knowing exactly which issues needed attention and what questions to ask to make me dig deeper. Working with Abby was having an encouraging, wise, and committed partner who could see my vision and knew how to guide me through the murkiest waters."

—Jennifer Savran Kelly, author of ENDPAPERS

"Abby is an exquisite editor and overall champion of the writing process. She has a distinct ability to simultaneously envision the overarching structures, rhythms and themes of a work while also paying microscopic attention to the texture of language."

—Anya Liftig, author of HOLLER RAT