Avner Landes – Editor

When writing my first novel, Meiselman: The Lean Years (Tortoise Books), I made every mistake a writer can make, and this history informs my everyday work as a ghostwriter and editor. Every step of the writing process—from the first lousy sentences one types through the final edits of a manuscript—carries the risk of derailing the writer from his or her vision. To write a rewarding and successful book, story, or article, whether you are new to the business of writing or a veteran, demands time, patience, and a conscientious and generous guide at your side.

Over the years, I've helped fiction writers and industry thought leaders shape their narratives. With fiction, my goal is to help the writer tell the story he or she is trying to tell. (Too many editors demand that their authors write the kinds of stories the editor enjoys reading.) Fiction is my passion, and I believe that whether someone is writing a novel, memoir, or self-help guide, the author's goal is always the same: to tell a relatable and urgent story to their readers. Nobody is obligated to read your book, and readers can put it down at any time, which is why every word counts.

On the non-fiction side, I've worked with wealth managers, hedge fund traders, attorneys, entrepreneurs, professional coaches, and technology consultants. In our work together, these professionals learned how to draw on their personal and work experiences to craft a compelling and illuminating narrative.

My general philosophy as a writer and editor is simple: too many writers fail to appreciate the importance of learning to read their own work. When too close to the work for too long, writers have difficulty perceiving how a first-time reader will engage with the prose. They assume certain elements of the plot and characterization are clear and obvious. The job of an editor is to help the writer understand what he or she wrote, point out what is and isn't working in a piece, identify characterization and plot issues, and determine where the pacing lags. Finally, my work is about helping writers prepare their prose for publication, which is perhaps the most challenging hurdle to leap. Sharing our words and ideas with the world, after all, is the goal for writers. I'd love for you to share your work with me, so we can start a conversation.

I'm a graduate of Columbia University's MFA program, and I'm capable of guiding other candidates through the MFA application process, such as directing applicants to the right schools based on their specific talents and needs and helping with any requested application materials, e.g., a portfolio or statement of purpose.