Autumn Sullivan

Autumn Sullivan – Editor

Development editor specializing in horror, speculative fantasy, poetry, memoir, and (oddly) business books.

Overview

Developmental editor with a passion for storytelling and the "best words, best order" craft of writing. 15+ years experience editing novel-length fiction, short stories, poetry, memoir, business, and arts & crafts titles.

Previous lives include Assistant Editor at Random House, Editor in Chief of Inkwell, and Fiction Associate at Tomasino Agency.

"Would you rather spend all day writing . . . or all day reading?" That was the question an editor teaching a course at my grad school asked me. I knew my answer instantly. I love to write, but I love to READ even more. Discovering another's world--its characters and their voices, the symbols and details, the mythos and adventures--that is my heart's true passion.

Which is why when I edit someone's work, be it business book, DIY craft book, or epic fantasy novel, I look to help them create a world the reader can fall into, and fall in love with.

I care DEEPLY about the art of storytelling and the craft of writing. I want your words to weave a spell over the reader, to open a doorway in their minds, so that the story becomes real to them.

Magic is great, but it needs a stable foundation to work. You have to cast a circle before you cast a spell, after all. I help my authors build a solid plot footpath for their characters (and their readers) to follow.

I'm not the right editor for everyone. Like pistachio ice cream, you either love me . . . or you don't. And either way I say, "Many blessings upon you."

You can learn a lot about me on my website: ability to work through and decipher my complicated writing style was incredible. She brought clarity when I was overthinking simple topics. She is truly the Greatest of All Time!" - Stephen Oliver, Author

"I've been working with Autumn for about six years. During that time I've written two books, which Autumn edited. She is awesome. She is prompt. She communicates well. And she makes my words and thoughts sound better. She is incredible at keeping your personal writing style intact while making it flow better." - Dave Kennon, Author

" Autumn provided incisive and invaluable editorial comment on my manuscript. Our correspondence has been a pleasure, and her suggested changes made for a stronger, more engaging story." - Gregg Cusick, Author

"Autumn provided great insight and actually wound up making a couple of major-change/suggestions --not always easy to do -- that I adopted. The piece would not be the same without her." - Joe Stracci, Writer

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management DIY & Crafts Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Horror Urban Fantasy

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 2018 — Present

- You Never See a Hearse Pulling a Trailer, Dave Kennon
- The Retirement Obsession, Stephen Oliver
- Create Your Most Delicious Life, Jill R. Stevens

Random House

Sep, 2008 — Jul, 2011 (almost 3 years)

Acquisitions: Steve Bissette How to Draw Monsters, Camilla D'Errico How to Paint Manga

Editorial Highlights:
Creating Animated Cartoons with Character, Joe Murray
Pop Sculpture, Tim Brucker, Ruben Procopio, Zach Oat
Manga for the Beginner, Christopher Hart
The Complete Guide to Nature Photography, Sean Arbabi

Tomasino Agency

Dec, 2007 — Dec, 2009 (about 2 years)

Inkwell

May, 2007 — May, 2009 (about 2 years)

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