Amy Shearn – Editor

There are some things about making books that only authors really understand. As a writer myself, I bring unique insight to the editorial process: I'm the award-winning author of five novels and a forthcoming book-length essay, some published by Big 5 publishers, and some published by indie presses. My most recent novel, Animal Instinct, was published by Putnam (Penguin/Random House) in 2025; a starred PW review called it "delightful and hilarious." I've been on the other side of the editorial process many times over!

I also teach writing classes through the Sackett Street Writers Workshop, the Yale Writers' Workshop, and the Writing Co-Lab, an experimental cooperative I helped found. I've worked as an editor for short-form content at several organizations including Conde Nast, JSTOR, Medium, and Joyland Literary Magazine. I write essays and articles, too; my nonfiction work has appeared in the New York Times Modern Love column, Ms Magazine, Slate, Poets & Writers, Literary Hub, The Rumpus, and many other publications.

I love working with writers at on their manuscripts, providing ongoing coaching as well as book draft consultations and developmental edits. My clients have gone on to sign with agents, place their short pieces in the New York Times Modern Love column and other great publications, and publish their books with major publishing imprints like Workman, Hachette, Macmillan, and Penguin Random House.

While I enjoy working with all kinds of books, my specialities are literary fiction, upmarket women's fiction, short story, memoir, and narrative and reported nonfiction.

My focus is always on helping my clients to realize their visions for their writing. It's such an honor to get to do this work. If you're interested, get in touch and let's see if we'd be a good fit!

TESTIMONIALS:

"Amy’s feedback was essential in strengthening my writing and my pitch. She helped me get my agent!"

-Dr. Stacey Wentworth, author of Cancer Culture (on submission now)

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"When I reached out to Amy, I felt like I was writing in a vacuum, unsure if my book was on the right track. During those moments of self-doubt, her time and energy were invaluable. Her keen editorial eye helped me avoid throwing out perfectly good writing, and her insightful feedback gave me clarity I needed when ideas felt scattered. On top of that, Amy generously shared ideas and resources to explore article opportunities that might build momentum towards my book launch!"

-Vanessa Chakour, author of Earthly Bodies: Embracing Animal Nature (Penguin Random House, 2024)

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"Working with Amy Shearn took me from aspiring writer all the way to publication. The work we did together was incredibly valuable. In working with me on my manuscript, Amy taught me how fiction works, from character development to narrative arc to believable dialogue. I highly recommend working with her if you have a manuscript that needs to be taken to the next level."

​-Amy Poeppel, award-winning author of the novels Small Admissions, Limelight, Musical Chairs, and The Sweet Spot.