Andy Ross

Andy Ross – Editor

I am a literary agent and freelance developmental book editor. I also edit and consult on query letters and non-fiction book proposals.

Overview

I am a literary agent representing most genres of fiction and non-fiction. My clients include Daniel Ellsberg, Fritjof Capra, Tawni Waters, Susan Griffin, Jeff Arch, and Jeffrey Moussaiev Masson. I am also a freelance editor working with literary, commercial, and YA fiction as well as narrative non-fiction genres. I do developmental editing of complete texts and editorial consulting and assessment of shorter portions. Additionally, I consult and edit book proposals, query letters, and provide advice on how to get published. I am the author of The Literary Agent's Guide to Writing a Non-fiction Book Proposal and I have given classes and presentations at numerous writers conferences and writing workshops throughout the country. Since I have had extensive experience submitting books to acquisition editors at the major book publishers, I try to help shape projects based on my understanding of how book acquisition decisions get made.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs History Political Science & Current Affairs Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Young Adult
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2008 — Present

I am the author of The Literary Agent's Guide to Writing a Non-Fiction Book Proposal. As an agent, I have worked with authors in a wide range of fiction and non-fiction genres. I also do developmental editing on complete manuscripts, editorial assessment on partials, and consulting on query letters and non-fiction book proposals.

Portfolio

Patterns of Connection: Essential Essays from Five Decades

Capra, Fritjof

The Long Ride Home

Tawni Waters

After the loss of her mother, Harley can barely handle her grief. But the start of summer marks new beginnings, and Harley leaves for a cross-country road trip to scatter her mother's ashes with Dean, her friend (with benefits). The two ride by motorcycle, rec... read more
The Girl Who Wouldn't Die

Randall Platt

It’s 1939 in Poland and Arab (don’t call her Abra Goldstein) knows that being Jewish doesn’t pay. Neither does being a girl. No, Arab will tell you that claiming any people at all can get a person killed—and she’s not about to let this war take her down.So as ... read more
The Tango War: The Struggle for the Hearts, Minds and Riches of Latin America During World War II

Mary Jo McConahay

One of WW2 Reads "Top 20 Must-Read WWII Books of 2018""A long-overdue history...a fascinating read." ―Jon Lee Anderson, Staff Writer, The New Yorker, author Che Guevara "Fast-paced and informative, this is essential reading for anyone who wants to better under... read more
The Woman in Black

Erik Tarloff

Chance Hardwick, the fictitious star of the breakout film Plains and Hills, is widely considered the greatest, most charismatic young movie actor of the postwar generation. However, his meteoric rise to fame and his tragic demise have remained an inexplicable ... read more
Beasts: What Animals Can Teach Us About the Origins of Good and Evil

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson

In his previous bestsellers, Masson has showed us that animals can teach us much about our own emotions--love (dogs), contentment (cats), and grief (elephants), among others. In Beasts, he demonstrates that the violence we perceive in the "wild" is a matter of... read more
The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner

Daniel Ellsberg

Shortlisted for the 2018 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in NonfictionFinalist for The California Book Award in NonfictionThe San Francisco Chronicle’s Best of 2017 ListIn These Times “Best Books of 2017”Huffington Post’s Ten Excellent December Books List... read more
Beauty of the Broken

Tawni Waters

In this lyrical, heartwrenching story about a forbidden first love, a teen seeks the courage to care for another girl despite her small town’s bigotry and her father’s violent threats.Growing up in conservative small-town New Mexico, fifteen-year-old Mara was ... read more
The Literary Agent's Guide to Writing a Non-Fiction Book Proposal

Andy Ross

To get your non-fiction book acquired by a commercial publisher, you are going to have to write a book proposal. This book, written by literary agent, Andy Ross, will lead you through the steps to constructing a convincing book proposal that will make the best... read more

Andy has 62 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Dean F.

Dean F.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
With the submission of my manuscript to Andy, I added the request that he be direct and forthright with his assessment. The too often used “Sandwich method,” where feedback opens with compliments, contains some suggestions for improvement, and closes with compliments, is so transparently manipulative that all the feedback is suspect. All of Andy’s feedback was useful. He did complement some ...
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Andy R.
Thanks, Dean, for the kind words. We worked together on an earlier partial draft and then months later on your final version. You made amazing progress, and I found I was always looking forward to ...
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Jenni F.

Jenni F.

Sep, 2022

Pinned
I really enjoyed working with Andy. His feedback and guidance helped me with the next steps in my writing and editing process, and with perfecting my query letter. Additionally, through his professional experience, he was able to provide immediately applicable advice. Andy is kind, knowledgable, and generous with his time. I highly recommend working with him.
Andy R.
Thanks, Jenni. Enjoyed talking with you about your writing. You have talent.
Doc V.

Doc V.

Jun, 2022

Pinned
Andy is a brilliant and experienced pro in the literary field. His extensive knowledge of publishing, marketing, pitching, and storytelling took our collaboration far beyond a simple query review. He genuinely cared about the outcome of my project and armed me with a host of new tactics and insights. My query letter is now tight and spot-on where it needs to be. I highly recommend his services.
Arnold S.

Arnold S.

Jun, 2024

Friendly, fast, efficient, honest and provided exactly the advice that I needed. Have used his advice in redrafting my Query Letter and it is vastly improved. My go to professional if there is another project in trouble.
Andy R.
Thanks, Arnie. It was a pleasure working with you. I'm so happy that our work was helpful.
k S.

k S.

Jun, 2024

I engaged Andy Ross for a developmental edit of my fictional novel based on numerous glowing 5-star reviews. Unfortunately, my experience was disappointing. While Andy was responsive and appeared knowledgable, his editorial remarks came across as careless, unedited, and with factual inaccuracies undermining their utility. Several chapters received minimal edits or no comments at all, and I sus...
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