Ann Leslie Tuttle

Ann Leslie Tuttle – Editor

Over 25 years' editorial experience at a Big 5 publisher and a literary agency, specializing in commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction.

Overview

As an editor for over twenty years at Harlequin Books (part of Harper Collins) and as a literary agent at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret for over five, I've worked with a number of bestselling and award-winning authors as well as debut fiction and nonfiction writers. As an inquisitive and relatively fast reader, I appreciate encouraging new voices and try to align my detailed feedback with the author's vision and expertise.


I specialize in commercial adult fiction, thrillers, romance, historical fiction, mysteries, Middle Grade and Young Adult, and I do some narrative nonfiction. Stories set in the South hold particular appeal--although I do love reading and learning about new communities across the world.


During the editorial process, I'm especially focused on character development, pacing and plotting issues, voice and dialogue. I'm especially skilled at paring down an overly high word count. In my edits and assessments, I try to provide detailed, encouraging and actionable feedback that is gentle but also comprehensive and straightforward. It's my hope that the editorial process also allows the author to grow in their craft and leaves the writer feeling energized about the current project. I am available after the edit/assessment has been received to answer any questions or do brainstorming. I also am happy to help demystify the publishing process for those new to publishing.


I've always had a love of books and appreciation of the writing process. Prior to entering publishing, I earned my B.A. degree at the College of William and Mary in history and English and an M.A. in history from the University of Virginia. I currently live in New York City.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Cozy Mysteries Historical Fiction Historical Romance Psychological Thriller Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Editor of the Year, NYC RWA Chapter

Work experience

Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

Sep, 2017 — Present

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.

Harlequin Books

Jan, 1997 — Aug, 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

Kismat Connection

Devarajan, Ananya

Lunar Love

Kung Jessen, Lauren

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 afte... 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 marri... 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... 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... read more

Ann Leslie has 135 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Alice C.

Alice C.

Dec, 2024

Ann Leslie was professional and efficient from the beginning. She was quick to respond to my initial submission and finished the edit before the allotted time frame. Her comments were absolutely on point, and she has managed to voice the niggling concerns I had and was unable to express myself. I am confident that with the changes she has recommended my manuscript will be in a far better posi...
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Julia S.

Julia S.

Dec, 2024

I am a first-time author, long time poet, and Leslie's support was invaluable. Leslie addressed all my questions, and her feedback was extremely helpful in transitioning my poetic manuscript into something more commercially viable and providing a much better experience for my readers. I always had this feeling that something wasn't quite right, and now I feel like I have solved that issue. Than...
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brian M.

brian M.

Oct, 2024

I recently worked with Leslie Tuttle on my contemporary romance novel, and the experience was, in a word, transformative. Her reputation alone drew me in, and her impressive background gave me confidence. Her rate—fair, though not rock-bottom—was hands down the best value among the bids I received. I worried, at that price, would her assessment be thin? But Leslie took on my 172,000-word manusc...
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Timothy S.

Timothy S.

Oct, 2024

Ann Leslie was wonderful to work with. She gave a very thoughtful analysis of my manuscript and offered so much to improve my story mechanics. And she did it all days before deadline!!
Alex Y.

Alex Y.

Oct, 2024

It was a rush job. The editor did not even read my work. Names of characters were wrong. It was just a very cursory reading.
Ann Leslie T.
After spending considerable time and thought preparing a detailed editorial assessment for this project, I was disappointed that the author did not reach out to me to further discuss the feedback o...
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