Bev West

Bev West – Editor

NYT bestselling developmental editor specializing in platform driven narrative nonfiction, business, leadership, memoir, self help.

Overview

Focus: Platform driven narrative nonfiction, business, ,Memoir. Self Help, True Crime.

I'm an insightful and dynamic collaborator with a firm grasp of the commercial trade marketplace. I have 25 plus years experience developing and selling books for first time authors. . I look for projects that offer a fresh perspective, authors who are changing minds, thinking differently, reimagining business, and transforming their corner of the world..

Current commercial projects include a coming of age memoir with a true crime twist based with Eva Benefield (Black Swan Murder) for Gallery Books, publishing Fall 2026, and a community brand building title by Gen Z founder and influencer Nadya Okamoto.

I'm the author of multiple titles, including the NYT bestselling series Cinematherapy, which inspired 6 sequels, and a television show that ran for 11 years on WETV.. My work has appeared in Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company, Paper, Vogue, Self, Nylon, Elle, The San Francisco Chronicle, NY Post, and People Magazine. and The NY Times.

I live with my husband Jason and our notorious pugs on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Inspirational Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 1992 — Present
I create thoughtful, impactful and commercially successful books that build an organic and loyal readership. I work directly with authors, as well as with literary agents, and in house editors to create perennial bestsellers.

Portfolio

Flip the Script: Getting People to Think Your Idea Is Their Idea

Klaff, Oren

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Recovery Hardware: A Nuts and Bolts Story About Building a Business, Restoring a Community, and Renovating Lives

Schaefer, Gina

Developmental Editing
Innovation In Translation: How Big Ideas Really Happen

Ferrera, Dave

Developmental Editing
YouthNation: Building Remarkable Brands in a Youth-Driven Culture

Britton, Matt

Developmental Editing
Backstage Guide to Real Estate: Produce Passive Income, Write Your Own Story, and Direct Your Dollars Toward Positive Change

Picheny, Matt

Developmental Editing
The Investor's Golden Playbook: 12 Rules for Achieving Real Wealth

Buchholz, Frank J

Frank Buchholz

The Sacred Thread: A True Story of Becoming a Mother and Finding a Family--Half a World Away

Arieff, Adrienne

Crown

Developmental Editing
Mellow Your Money: How to Surf the Market and Build Wealth Without Stressing Yourself Out

Mick Heyman

Alsace-Lorraine Publishing

Developmental Editing
Fairy-Tale Success: A Guide to Entrepreneurial Magic

Arieff, Adrienne

Adams Media

We-Commerce: How to Create, Collaborate, and Succeed in the Sharing Economy

Howard, Billee

Developmental Editing
Please Don't Feed the Daisy: Living, Loving, and Losing Weight with the World's Hungriest Dog

West, Beverly

Bibliotherapy: The Girl's Guide to Books for Every Phase of Our Lives

West, Beverly

Cinematherapy for Lovers: The Girl's Guide to Finding True Love One Movie at a Time

Peske, Nancy

Cinematherapy for the Soul: The Girl's Guide to Finding Inspiration One Movie at a Time

Peske, Nancy

The Secret Lives of Teen Girls: What Your Mother Wouldn't Talk about but Your Daughter Needs to Know

Resh, Evelyn

Developmental Editing
Cinematherapy: The Girl's Guide to Movies for Every Mood

West, Beverly

Lilyville: Mother, Daughter, and Other Roles I've Played

Feldshuh, Tovah

Developmental Editing
My First Five Husbands...And the Ones Who Got Away: A Memoir

McClanahan, Rue

Developmental Editing

Bev has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Daria R.

Daria R.

Jan, 2025

Working with Bev was incredibly beneficial for my book. She was super helpful even before we started to work together. During our introductory meeting, when Bev asked me about my book and my goals, it helped me get clarity on what I'm really trying to say with my book and what I want to achieve. ...
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Akbar K.

Akbar K.

Jun, 2024

Bev responded to a post I put on Reedsy—and thank God. She is a consummate professional, SO intelligent, experienced, always does what she says she will do, backs me up always when loved ones try to bring me down (  ), she’s funny, has so much experience. I’d trust her with my life—I do, in fact...
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Rebecca R.

Rebecca R.

Sep, 2023

Bev transformed my manuscript. She took me up to the 40,000 foot level for a clear view of the concept and gave insightful advice and prompts, which forced me out of a more pedantic approach to using my true voice. A consulate professional with an ability to pull out the best of a writer.
Jo W.

Jo W.

Jan, 2023

What started out as an edit of my manuscript, has now blossomed into a much better product. This is all thanks to Bev. I was "in the weeds," and had forgotten the many great stories I had pushed aside in my brain. Bev drew these stories out, and now my first book is on it's way, in a much more in...
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Evan D.

Evan D.

Oct, 2022

Bev is amazing to work with. She has an incredible understanding of what it takes to develop a successful manuscript. She has a no-nonsense way of drawing the story out of my mind in a way that connects with the reader. We will definitely be working together again!

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Most recent contributions

What do agents and publishers look for in memoirs written by non-famous authors?

Authenticity, personality, and a strong voice that can tell you a story that has something to teach us all

What are the most effective ways for authors to begin monetizing their writing, particularly in the early stages of their career?

Take advantage of every single opportunity that comes your way in the beginning. Don't be too picky. If the front door is locked, go in the side door. Or find a window. I had great luck with blind queries in the beginning and that was before email, kids. I built many relationships that way, and m...
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How did you become a book coach?

I began as a slush reader for literary agents and major publishers in NYC after graduating with a mostly useless degree in English Lit. I read everything back in those days, romance, thrillers, self help, spirituality. It made me a generalist, and able to easily and quickly analyze what was going...
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