Bob Podrasky

Bob Podrasky – Editor

34 year publishing veteran available for editorial assessment, manuscript evaluation, developmental editing, query advice.

Overview

I am a publishing professional with 30+ years experience in the industry. I currently own my own publishing company and am its Editorial Director. I worked for over 10 years at a Big Five publishing company. Before that I was head of a publishing imprint within one of the Big Five. I have been a senior acquisitions editor since 2011. I have discovered and signed numerous titles, including one of the best-selling books of the last 20 years. I have discovered, mentored, and championed new writers and have been an invited panel speaker and presenter at several writers conferences. My professional experience includes editorial as well as rights, licensing, sales, and marketing. I also edit and write erotic romance under the name Matthew Cooper.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Fantasy LGBTQ Fiction Romantic Comedy
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

MMB Media

Dec, 2019 — Present

Owner and editorial director.

Amazon

Oct, 2016 — May, 2018 (over 1 year)

I was a senior acquisitions editor in the Brilliance division of Amazon Publishing where I signed several hundred deals a year in all genres, including high-profile authors such as Shaun T, Marion Ross, Sean Spicer, Edouard Louis, and more.

RB Media

Feb, 2014 — Oct, 2016 (over 2 years)

As Senior Acquisitions Editor, I worked with hundreds of literary agents and signed several hundred projects, including many high profile authors, such as Joanna Lindsey, Ursula K. Leguin, Garth Greenwell, and more.

BBC Audiobooks/Blackstone Media

Aug, 2011 — Sep, 2013 (about 2 years)

I was the head of editorial operations for the combined AudioGO/BBC Audio and Blackstone companies. I managed a team of five acquisitions editors and spearheaded the editorial focus and vision. Personally I signed and/or discovered many authors and books, including The Dinner by Herman Koch, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared, by Jonas Jonasson, and many many more.

Macmillan

Oct, 2002 — Aug, 2011 (almost 9 years)

I worked for Macmillan for almost ten years managing all domestic licensing. I represented their vast array of national and international bestsellers, including Jackie Collins, Janet Evanovich, Augusten Burroughs, Robert Jordan, Louise Penny, etc. I worked on the publishing programs of St. Martin's Press, Tor, Forge, Picador, Minotaur, Griffin, etc.

W.H. Freeman Trade Division

Jan, 2000 — Sep, 2001 (over 1 year)

As Director, I headed the publishing imprint and steered its sales, marketing, and editorial vision. I managed an acquisitions staff and a national sales staff of over 30 sales reps. As director, I approved and closed the original deal to publish the blockbuster international bestselling non-fiction work, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot.

Portfolio

Big Girl Panties: A Novel

Evanovich, Stephanie

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
The One Who's Gonna See You Through

Welch, John Steven

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading

Bob has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Brian H.

Brian H.

Jun, 2023

Pinned
Working with Bob on my novel has been a great experience. Throughout the months of our collaboration, he provided an immense amount of chapter by chapter feedback, not only in terms of larger issues in my writing but with an eye to detail as well. His comprehensive final report on my book continues to be an inspiration. Bob's experience as an insider in the publishing world has been invaluable,...
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John W.

John W.

Sep, 2022

Pinned
Bob was an absolute joy to work with! He immediately grasped the purpose of our collaboration, bringing a more novelistic structure to my manuscript, and provided cogent and insightful recommendations on the directions I might elect to go with my re-structure. His final report and manuscript annotations reflected his long experience and expertise as both editor and publisher. Bob is a consumm...
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Susan I.

Susan I.

Aug, 2022

Pinned
He helped me with things I didn’t even realize I need help with, and even gave some referrals. He definitely helped me on my next steps… query letter, biography, etc, and even was gracious enough to give me some referrals- all the while he was sick!
Jay L.

Jay L.

Oct, 2024

Beyond his extraordinary editing skills, Bob's perspective has been invaluable. Besides bailing me out of several spelling, punctuation and grammar gaffs, he asked questions and offered insight that led to me writing a much better book. If you're looking for someone to blindly stroke your ego, that isn't Bob. But if you're looking for some honest, educated, clear-headed objectivity to match e...
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Bob P.
Jay, thank you very much for your kind words. It has been nothing but a pleasure working with you, and I can't wait to see your efforts come together in a final product to share with the world. You...
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Zack M.

Zack M.

Mar, 2022

A pleasure to work with and would be willing to work with him again.

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