Anna Bierhaus - Editor
Experienced editor specializing in commercial fiction, romance, women's fiction, thrillers, and literary fiction
Request a quote
Overview
While working at the literary agency Sanford J. Greenburger Associates (SJGA), I screened thousands of nonfiction proposals, fiction synopses, and manuscripts. So I know how to make a project stand out in the slush pile. After SJGA, I was an Assistant Editor at Oxford University Press specializing in Brain Sciences. I read, organized, and readied the material for our production team. I also scouted writers for Marvel Comics as a Writer-Recruiter. I looked for writers in different mediums and helped them transition into comic writing.
Throughout my time in publishing, I helped authors develop characters, improve pacing and conflict, work through blocks, tackle tricky scenes, punch up dialogue, and make their manuscripts shine. I want to do the same for you. Much of my work experience revolves around reading on behalf of New York publishers and agencies. I know what they look for, and if publishing is your goal, I can help you get there.
Throughout my time in publishing, I helped authors develop characters, improve pacing and conflict, work through blocks, tackle tricky scenes, punch up dialogue, and make their manuscripts shine. I want to do the same for you. Much of my work experience revolves around reading on behalf of New York publishers and agencies. I know what they look for, and if publishing is your goal, I can help you get there.
Languages
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Contemporary Fiction
Humor & Comedy
Mystery & Crime
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller & Suspense
Women's Fiction
Work experience
Freelance Editor
Self-employed
August, 2013
–
Present
(over 7 years)
Adjunct Professor
New York University
May, 2013
–
August, 2013
(3 months)
Taught Intro to Fiction and Poetry to awesome undergraduates
Grad student earning an MFA in fiction
New York University
September, 2011
–
May, 2013
(over 1 year)
Hertog Fellow
Hunter College
May, 2009
–
May, 2010
(about 1 year)
Writer-Recruiter
Marvel Comics
April, 2008
–
May, 2009
(about 1 year)
Worked part-time at Marvel while I worked full-time at Oxford University Press
*Scouted writers from different mediums—book publishing, television, theater, film—and guided their transitions into writing comic books often through suggesting edits
*Reorganized Marvel’s writing submission process
Assistant Editor
Oxford University Press
April, 2008
–
May, 2009
(about 1 year)
*Assessed potential projects
*Worked with authors on structure
*Transmitted manuscripts to the production team
Assistant / Junior Agent
Sanford J. Greenburger Associates Literary Agency
September, 2003
–
April, 2008
(over 4 years)
*Edited manuscripts and proposals
*Pitched projects
*Negotiated contracts with editors
Portfolio (5 selected works)
In Tune
JN Welsh
A tour manager determined to revitalize her career.The client she can’t stop thinking about.Workplace romance hits the road in this enemies-to-lovers romance from JN Welsh.Luke Anderson needs a manager—fast. His last one quit, leaving his tour and his future in jeopardy. Now instead of focusing on his career, he’s forced to concentrate on damage control. Powerhouse manager Leona Sable is the f... read more
The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer
Philip Carlo
Philip Carlo's The Ice Man spent over six weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List. Top Mob Hitman. Devoted Family Man. Doting Father. For thirty years, Richard "The Iceman" Kuklinski led a shocking double life, becoming the most notorious professional assassin in American history while happily hosting neighborhood barbecues in suburban New Jersey. Richard Kuklinski was Sammy the Bull Grava... read more
Your Heart Is a Muscle the Size of a Fist
Sunil Yapa
A Finalist for the PEN/ Faulkner Awardn Amazon Best Book of the Year A Washington Post Notable Book A Barnes & Noble Discover Pick One of Bustle's "Most Important Books of 2016" Named Most Anticipated Book of the Year in Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, TIME, Huffington Post, The Chicago Tribune, BuzzFeed, Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle, Orlando Sentinel, Ploughshares, Bu... read more
NINE KINDS OF NAKED
Tony Vigorito
"As fanciful and inventive in its form... as it is in its observations. It fed tasty crackers to all the hungry parrots in my mental aviary." --TOM ROBBINSJoin cult favorite Tony Vigorito in his acclaimed, surreal whirlwind of a novel exploring chaos theory. A prisoner spins a playing card into a somersault, stirring a whirlwind that becomes a tornado that takes the roof of a church in nearby ... read more
Reign of the Rat
Gil Smolin
A farmer in Nepal notices a sudden rotting of his fingers, rapidly followed by pneumonia... then a horrific death. As a virulent, drug-resistant form of leprosy spreads in a worldwide epidemic, a warring couple sets off on a danger-filled quest for a cure. Their only protection is the mysterious amulet of the Order of St. Lazarus. Their sole hope: to unearth the frozen remains of a medieval co... read more
Anna has 11 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I honestly can't recommend Anna highly enough.
Along with being a true professional and clearly an expert in her field, she was both supportive and approachable throughout our collaboration. Anna is insightful and thorough in her work.
Her editorial letter, which was expertly assembled, was detailed, encouraging and absolutely spot on. It was clear that she invested herself in me, my charac...
Read more
Una Doyle, January 2021
Anna is a very friendly and positive person who helped me improve my novel at a preliminary stage, She gave excellent advice. Anna went out of her way to provide a rapid turnaround time for the editorial letter and comments on my 30,000-word early draft.
James Graham, November 2020
Anna offered incredible insight in a thoughtful and caring way. She kept to a promised set of deadlines and provided individualized attention to address follow-up questions with quality and professional care.
Eric Erickson, November 2020
I could sum up Anna’s developmental editing skills with one word—Fantastic! Anna showed a flair for detecting problems and potential problems in my fiction manuscript, such as plot, pacing, character arc, inconsistencies, and much more. Though tough on those issues, Anna was also very encouraging and motivational. She highlighted my writing strengths and explained why it would be worth the time...
Read more
David Junior, November 2020
Such a wonderful experience for this first time author. Anna was the ultimate professional, knowledgeable, and like any good teacher, firm but kind! Her promised work came earlier than I expected it and was obviously thoughtful, complete, and on target. If I ever have the strength to write another, I hope I can find her to help me. She's wonderful.
Nancy Keeton, PhD
Nancy Keeton, November 2020
Explore the Reedsy Community
Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.
Harrison Demchick
The world's most thorough content editor. Expert in fiction and memoir. More than 70 books and 60 authors guided toward publication.
Hyattsville, United States
Rachel Eley
A reliable and highly proficient copy editor and proofreader, with 10+ years' experience from several of the UK's top publishing companies.
London, United Kingdom
