Aparna Kumar

Aparna Kumar – Editor

A former Penguin editor, I have worked on books by prize-winning authors and poets. I edit and consult on fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

Overview

I am a publishing professional with six years of experience in this industry. I am trained in commissioning books, structural editing, copy-editing, proofreading, and book reviewing. While working as an editor at Penguin Random House, I specialised in commissioning and acquiring, negotiating rights, and developing manuscripts for the Penguin Press division. During my time at Penguin, I worked on projects by award-winning writers and poets. The last project I championed, "The Penguin Book of Indian Poets" - a magnum opus containing the works of 94 poets - was a bestseller and received rave reviews in both mainstream and alternate media. I also commissioned two other (out-of-print) poetry titles by Jeet Thayil and published them under Hamish Hamilton with brand-new covers and illustrations. I aim to make the publishing landscape more representative and inclusive of new voices.


Having worked in trade publishing for the better part of a decade, I am well-versed in the processes of the industry. I am thorough, conscientious, hard-working, and passionate about books. I believe in fruitful associations with my authors, that allow for healthy discussions and brainstorming sessions. A strong believer in independent voices, my goal when editing a manuscript is to keep the author's spirit alive in every sentence. As a structural editor, I have the experience and insight to look for weaknesses in plots and characters and believe in a solutions-oriented approach when dealing with these loopholes. As a copy editor, I am deft at catching errors and grammatical inconsistencies in the manuscript, backed by years of experience before I began commissioning.


As I have worked across different editorial profiles in trade publishing, I can also provide guidance and helpful advice when it comes to pitching manuscripts, formulating cost-effective ways to publish books, preparing cover briefs, coming up with marketing plans, and liaising with literary agents. I have also run successful campaigns for bestselling books by world-renowned authors and have considerable publicity experience in the industry - and I am happy to share these insights with writers.

Services
Fiction
Anthologies Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Poetry
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Penguin Random House

Oct, 2019 — Sep, 2022 (almost 3 years)

The job profile included commissioning, rights negotiations, structural editing, copy-editing, proofreading, evaluating book proposals, blurb writing, author care, marketing and creating cover briefs for books for the Penguin Press division.

Rupa Publications

Aug, 2017 — Sep, 2019 (about 2 years)

The role included reviewing books, copy-editing, proofreading and author care.

Om Books International

Apr, 2016 — Jul, 2017 (about 1 year)

The job profile involved author care, editing, proofreading, blurb writing, picture research and sourcing, compiling filmographies and updating pictorials.

Portfolio

Women Who Misbehave

Dasgupta, Sayantani

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Landour Bazaar

Bond, Ruskin

Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Dark Blossom

Mullick, Neel

Proofreading
Murder at Lord’s

Oltheten, Harry

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Padmavat: An Epic Love Story

Agrawal, Purushottam

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Nautanki Diaries

Franks, Dominic

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Karunanidhi: A Life

Panneerselvan, A.S.

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing

Aparna has 6 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Daniel B.

Daniel B.

Jun, 2024

Aparna is a good copy editor, and very professional; objective. I am taking most-all of her advice. There were a few times I felt misunderstood by some of her editorial advice, but maybe that means I could have been clearer with a poetical message from my copy. In retrospect, I will probably make a few more side comments about my poetry to explain a few or more of my meanings, within the bod...
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Irene S.

Irene S.

Apr, 2024

I enjoyed working with Aparna during this project. Her detailed and clear edit notes, plus developmental edits were exactly what I was looking for. She had helped me to understand strengths and weaknesses of my writing. Very encouraging! Thank you so much!
Laura G.

Laura G.

Mar, 2024

Aparna is efficient and knows how to work with new authors. I am happy with the Edit Assessment Aparna provided. The process proves stressful, but it is worth the effort. Thank you.
Kimi F.

Kimi F.

Mar, 2024

Loved all of the advice I received! I would have loved a bit more feedback on the poems themselves, but the feedback about the order and other small corrections really helped to make my collection better. Thank you!
Mya F.

Mya F.

Mar, 2024

Aparna's copy-editing and proofreading feedback brought structure and fluidity to my manuscript while maintaining my voice. I am grateful for it.

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