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 and 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 goal of the author is always the same: To tell a relatable and urgent story to one's readers. Nobody is obligated to read your book, and the reader can put down the book 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 how to read one's own work. Too close to the work for too long, writers have difficulty perceiving how a first-time reader will engage the prose. They make assumptions about certain elements of plot and characterization being clear and obvious. The job of an editor is to help the writer understand what he or she wrote, point out what is and what is not working with a piece, identify characterization and plot issues, and determine the spots where the pace is lagging. 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, like directing applicants to the right schools based on specific talents and needs and helping with any requested application materials, i.e. portfolio, statement of purpose.