Ann Leslie Tuttle

Ann Leslie Tuttle - Editor

New York City, NY, United States

Experienced editor and agent in women's fiction/romance/thriller. I have worked with NYT and USA Today bestselling authors as well as debut.

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Overview

During a publishing career spanning over 25 years, I have edited a variety of women's fiction, thriller, and romances including family sagas, historical romance, romantic comedies, romantic suspense, mysteries, Southern Gothic, historical fiction, psychological thrillers, contemporary, paranormals and inspirational romance. Both as an editor for over 20 years at Harlequin Books (part of Harper Collins) and as an agent for five, I have been fortunate to work with a number of NYT, USA Today and PW bestselling authors as well as debut writers. I am especially drawn to projects that are female-focused and project messages of empowerment and hope.

I have taught romance writing at Marymount College in NYC and have participated in panel discussions and led workshops at writers conferences throughout the United States, Australia and New Zealand. I also participate regularly on the various Twitter pitching events and have participated in numerous online pitching events.

I have a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from the University of Virginia.

As an editor with 25 years' experience, I use my editorial expertise to help writers hone their craft so that their manuscript best reflects their vision for the work and voice. I especially enjoy sharing ideas with authors during an editorial assessment, developmental edit or even query letter review. In my edits and assessments, I try to provide detailed, encouraging and actionable feedback that shows what is working especially well and what needs revision. I try to be gentle, nurturing but comprehensive. My hope is that the editorial process also allows the author to grow in their craft.

In all aspects of my editorial career, I have loved finding and nurturing talented writers that have run the gamut from debut authors to some of the top names in women's fiction.
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Contemporary Romance
Cozy Mysteries
Historical Fiction
Historical Romance
Psychological Thriller
Romantic Comedy
Women's Fiction

Awards

  • Editor of the Year, NYC RWA Chapter

Work experience

Literary Agent

Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
September, 2017 – Present (over 5 years)

In my current position, I continue to brainstorm and provide editorial feedback to the clients I represent who write in a variety of fiction genres. I have frequent meetings with industry professionals and that, combined with speaking at and attending writers’ conferences, keep me current on trends in the competitive marketplace.

Senior Editor

Harlequin Books
January, 1997 – August, 2017 (over 20 years)

Managed various lines of books, including paranormals and contemporary romance. Acquired and edited a diverse range of authors writing in all the romance sub-genres, e.g. historicals, contemporary, paranormals, romantic suspense and inspirationals. Worked with several NYT and USA Today bestselling authors, including Sylvia Day, Megan Hart, Julia London, and Lisa Renee Jones.

Portfolio (8 selected works)

Afterburn & Aftershock

Sylvia Day

Never mix business with pleasure. Never bring politics into the bedroom. In a way I did both when I took Jackson Rutledge as a lover. I can't say I wasn't warned. Two years later, he was back. Walking into a deal I'd worked hard to close. Under the tutelage of Lei Yeung, one of the sharpest businesswomen in New York, I had picked up a thing or two since Jax walked away. I wasn't the girl he on... read more

Never mix business with pleasure. Never bring politics into the bedroom. In a way I did both when I took Jackson Rutledge as a lover. I can't say I wasn't warned. Two years later, he was back. Walking into a deal I'd worked hard to close. Under the tutelage of Lei Yeung, one of the sharpest businesswomen in New York, I had picked up a thing or two since Jax walked away. I wasn't the girl he on... read more

Bayou Shadow Protector (Bayou Magic)

Debbie Herbert

Native American legends and the fairy world combine in a bayou filled with danger, deception and deadly secrets… As a shadow hunter of ancient, evil spirits, Chulah Rivers is used to strange creatures and happenings in the bayou. But when April Meadows appears out of nowhere to enlist the Native American's help in a battle that threatens the balance of the Fae and human worlds, Chulah is plung... read more

Native American legends and the fairy world combine in a bayou filled with danger, deception and deadly secrets… As a shadow hunter of ancient, evil spirits, Chulah Rivers is used to strange creatures and happenings in the bayou. But when April Meadows appears out of nowhere to enlist the Native American's help in a battle that threatens the balance of the Fae and human worlds, Chulah is plung... read more

Dark Wolf Running (Bloodrunners)

Rhyannon Byrd

In Rhyannon Byrd's latest Bloodrunners romance, passion and secrets collide and only their love will save two werewolves and their pack. With his sharp gaze locked on the most magnificent female he'd ever seen, Wyatt Pallaton did his best to hold himself back. Of course, Elise Drake was hardly just any female. Fiery and cool, strong, yet at the same time achingly vulnerable, she'd turned his e... read more

In Rhyannon Byrd's latest Bloodrunners romance, passion and secrets collide and only their love will save two werewolves and their pack. With his sharp gaze locked on the most magnificent female he'd ever seen, Wyatt Pallaton did his best to hold himself back. Of course, Elise Drake was hardly just any female. Fiery and cool, strong, yet at the same time achingly vulnerable, she'd turned his e... read more

Sinful Scottish Laird: A Historical Romance Novel (The Highland Grooms)

Julia London

A young widow puts her sexy suitors to the test in New York Times bestselling author Julia London's scintillating return to the idyllic Scottish Highlands. Widowed and forced to remarry in three years' time or forfeit her son's inheritance, Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick, has plenty of suitors vying for her hand…and her fortune. But a letter from a long-lost love sends Daisy and her young son to... read more

A young widow puts her sexy suitors to the test in New York Times bestselling author Julia London's scintillating return to the idyllic Scottish Highlands. Widowed and forced to remarry in three years' time or forfeit her son's inheritance, Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick, has plenty of suitors vying for her hand…and her fortune. But a letter from a long-lost love sends Daisy and her young son to... read more

Firewolf (Apache Protectors: Tribal Thunder)

Jenna Kernan

When opposites attract, the sparks ignite more than they bargained for… Dylan Tehauno is a hotshot, an expert in preventing and fighting forest fires. He knows that the inferno that killed a tech billionaire was no accident—and he suspects that he and filmmaker Meadow Wrangler were supposed to die, too. When lawmakers identify Dylan as a prime suspect, he and Meadow decide to find the real ars... read more

When opposites attract, the sparks ignite more than they bargained for… Dylan Tehauno is a hotshot, an expert in preventing and fighting forest fires. He knows that the inferno that killed a tech billionaire was no accident—and he suspects that he and filmmaker Meadow Wrangler were supposed to die, too. When lawmakers identify Dylan as a prime suspect, he and Meadow decide to find the real ars... read more

Outside the Ordinary World

Dori Ostermiller

Sylvia Sandon is at a crossroads in her life. A wife and mother of two daughters, she and her city-planner husband grapple with the escalating renovation of their antique farmhouse--a situation that mirrors the disarray in Sylvia's life. Facing a failing marriage and a famished career as an art teacher, Sylvia finds herself suddenly powerless to the allure of Tai Rosen, the father of her most ... read more

Sylvia Sandon is at a crossroads in her life. A wife and mother of two daughters, she and her city-planner husband grapple with the escalating renovation of their antique farmhouse--a situation that mirrors the disarray in Sylvia's life. Facing a failing marriage and a famished career as an art teacher, Sylvia finds herself suddenly powerless to the allure of Tai Rosen, the father of her most ... read more

Siren's Secret (Harlequin Nocturne)

Debbie Herbert

In Debbie Herbert's debut novel, there are two secrets, each one with a deadly consequence… Shelly Connors's worlds—on land and in the sea—are turned upside down when an evening swim turns into a nightmare. On a sweltering night deep in the bayou, the mystical mermaid witnesses a horrifying act. With a monstrous killer now hot on her trail, her life and the lives of her kin are in jeopardy. Te... read more

In Debbie Herbert's debut novel, there are two secrets, each one with a deadly consequence… Shelly Connors's worlds—on land and in the sea—are turned upside down when an evening swim turns into a nightmare. On a sweltering night deep in the bayou, the mystical mermaid witnesses a horrifying act. With a monstrous killer now hot on her trail, her life and the lives of her kin are in jeopardy. Te... read more

Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers

Sara Ackerman

Hawaii, 1944. The Pacific battles of World War II continue to threaten American soil, and on the home front, the bonds of friendship and the strength of love are tested.Violet Iverson and her young daughter, Ella, are piecing their lives together one year after the disappearance of her husband. As rumors swirl and questions about his loyalties surface, Violet believes Ella knows something. But... read more

Hawaii, 1944. The Pacific battles of World War II continue to threaten American soil, and on the home front, the bonds of friendship and the strength of love are tested.Violet Iverson and her young daughter, Ella, are piecing their lives together one year after the disappearance of her husband. As rumors swirl and questions about his loyalties surface, Violet believes Ella knows something. But... read more

Ann Leslie has 106 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Kirstin Shafer
Very quick response time. Feedback was valuable.

Kirstin Shafer, March 2023


Alexis Wolff
Ann Leslie was a breeze to work with. She responded rapidly to my offer, providing the most competitive quote I received, and turned around the edit well before the deadline. Her feedback was substantive, identifying issues and opportunities that I hadn't seen myself but by and large totally agreed with. I don't know yet if her feedback will ultimately help me land an agent, but I'm hopeful, an...
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Alexis Wolff, March 2023


Laura Knoy
I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to work with Ann Leslie Tuttle. She's extremely prompt, professional, and concise in her feeback. Her deep experience in the industry shows; her insights on where my manuscript needed work were invaluable. She suggested many changes and offered new approaches to telling my story. I'm happy to incorporate them, knowing they'll improve my novel greatly.

Laura Knoy, March 2023


Hannah Sloniker
Ann Leslie was wonderful to work with. She really helped me thoroughly look at my novel from another’s perspective with her editorial assessment.

Hannah Sloniker, February 2023


Amye Archer
Ann Leslie was great. The turnaround time was quick and I really felt she did a thorough job of going through the manuscript and pulling out areas that need work and guiding me with how to fix them.

Amye Archer, February 2023

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