Adrienne Kisner

Adrienne Kisner – Editor

Fast, friendly editor who is alarmingly fond of Dystopian novels. Also: Sci-fi, Fantasy, Women’s Fiction, YA, MG, Christian-yes, absolutely.

Overview

I like big books and I cannot lie. Also short books. You know what; I want to read all the books, starting with yours.


I am an editor with over 15 years of experience, a writing instructor, and a Big Five author. I enjoy working with new and more seasoned writers to get their novels, synopses, and query letters into the best shape possible. I will bring my passion, attention to detail, and encouragement to your work.


An example of one of the successful projects for which I gave editorial feedback:


-STAND UP, YUMI CHUNG! by Jessica Kim

Praise for STAND UP:

★“With wonderful supporting characters, strong pacing, and entertaining comedy bits, debut author Kim has woven a pop song of immigrant struggle colliding with comedy and Korean barbecue.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review


★"Kim has taught school, and it shows, both with the spot-on dialogue and the up-to-date social media references... This will certainly remind readers of Kelly Yang's Front Desk (2018)."

—Booklist, starred review


Query letter edit samples available upon request


In addition to freelance editing, I have taught writing for publication at Wheelock College (Boston, MA), Southern New Hampshire University (Manchester, NH), and The Writing Barn (Austin, TX). I've participated in several rounds of the "Author Mentor Match" program; all of my mentees have gone on to sign with agents and/or land impressive book deals. Other queries I've critiqued have netted agents at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret; Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency; Sandford J. Greenburger Associates; Ravenquill Literary Agency; New Leaf Literary; Inkwell Management Literary Agency, Headwater Literary Management, and Laura Dail Literary Agency (to name a few!)

Services
Fiction
Chick Lit Christian Fiction Contemporary Fiction Dystopian LGBTQ Fiction Middle Grade Technothriller Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Texas Library Association Tayshas List
  • Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year
  • Massachusetts Book Award Must Read Book
  • ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List 2021
  • 2019 ILA Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award for YA Fiction
  • YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2019
  • YALSA Rainbow Book List 2018
  • Junior Library Guild Pick
  • Winner of the 2020 Green Earth Book Award for Young Adult Fiction
  • PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Discovery Award, 2016
Certifications
  • Ph.D--Theology, Boston University, Boston, MA
  • MFA--Writing, Vermont College of Fine Arts, Montpelier, VT

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2016 — Present

Provided whole novel critiques, query submission critiques, and on-going mentorship to authors at various stages of their career. Services included developmental editing, line editing, proof-reading, query outlines, preparing packets, and face-to-face mentoring during agent and editor submission process.

SNHU

Apr, 2018 — Present

In my courses, students can choose to focus on any of the following: Brainstorming, generative writing, developmental/concept editing, line editing, revision planning, querying, synopsis writing, & deciding on an agent or editor.

Courses Taught:

Fiction Workshop
Advanced Fiction Workshop

Wheelock College

Aug, 2015 — May, 2018 (over 2 years)

Courses Taught:

English Composition I
English Composition II
Creative Writing
Introduction to Religious Studies

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Might As Well Be Dead

Goldblatt, Mark

Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Psyker (A Hiveworlds Novel)

Surtain, Rory

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Saloman Brush: from The Annals of Tellus

Kozlowski, Shawn

Developmental Editing
Summerlost

Condie, Ally

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Solid State

Knight, Tim

Socialtrade Corporation

Made with Reedsy
The Old Witches Home

Swansong, Avian

Wildebeest Publishing Company, LLC

Made with Reedsy
Called (Algorithm of Life)

Fletcher, Gillian

BookBaby

Made with Reedsy
Divided

Frechette, Ava G

Ava Frechette

Made with Reedsy
The Enterprize

George, Melissa

APOCORE PRESS

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Beacon

Kartchner, CJ

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Descended from Kings: Broken Vow

Bernish, J Kelly

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Confusion In a Small Town

Acosta, Rachelle

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Sword of Fate: A Dynamis Novel - Book One

Golden, Nancy

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Cloak as Red as Blood: The Oberon Chronicles

Prince, Amier

Copy Editing Proofreading
Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Somewhere Else: Highmind Series Book 1

Ward, Roxanne

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Rise of Charon: Road Crossing Series

Ammons, Heather

Developmental Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Proto-Spora

Lunder, Erika

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Year Zero (Revolution's Children Book 1)

Lugo, David Dean

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Rogue: Beware the Source

Magill, Alexandra

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Cara Navil of Kingskeep: The Annals of Tellus

Kozlowski, Shawn

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
Fix

Albert Mann, J.

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
The Degenerates

Mann, J. Albert

Editorial Assessment
The Ivies

Donne, Alexa

Editorial Assessment
Six Angry Girls

Kisner, Adrienne

Adrienne has 117 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Dylan S.

Dylan S.

May, 2024

Pinned
Adrienne's help has been invaluable as a writing coach. When I began working with her, my book was a vague plot, a mass of disjointed scenes, and an inconsistent voice. Working with her, we turned it into a great novel, with strong, deep characters and solid motivations. She helped me find and introduce new elements which added layers of depth to the characters and their relationships with each...
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David H.

David H.

May, 2024

Pinned
Adrienne had such great developmental comments on my novel to help take it to the next level-things I never thought of or noticed. Her read and comments were thorough, specific to my genre, and she took into account what I was trying to do with the novel. The advice was also on time and efficient. Thank you! Will use again!
Gillian F.

Gillian F.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
I am so thankful for all that Adrienne brought to our collaboration. Her work on the text was exceptional as were her insights on curbing a few of my worst stylistic habits. On top of that, she got my sense of humor from the jump and it made the whole experience that much more enjoyable.
jamie D.

jamie D.

Dec, 2024

Adrienne was instrumental in completing our book. She raised thoughtful questions and points that strengthened our story and language. Beyond her professionalism, she was enthusiastic, kind, and fun to work with.
Quentin S.

Quentin S.

Nov, 2024

Honest feedback. Not just all the good but highlights areas that need improvement in a way that doesn’t diminish the overall experience of your story. Definitely a recommendation

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