Ann Campbell

Ann Campbell – Editor

Former NYTimes bestselling Penguin Random House Senior Editor specializing in Memoir, Self-Help, and Health/Lifestyle.

Overview

A former Big Five editor with nonfiction expertise, I now work with aspiring authors at all stages of the writing process to bring their literary vision to life. Whether your goal is to land an agent and a traditional book deal, or produce a high-caliber book to compliment your business and brand, I can help you craft a Random House-quality work that resonates with readers and the media.

I love working on nonfiction because I am always learning something new! I am especially drawn to books that can help readers transform their lives, whether by sharing an extraordinary personal story or by presenting a game-changing roadmap for better living and personal growth. As an in-house editor, I acquired and edited multiple New York Times bestsellers in the categories of Memoir, Travel Narrative, Self-Help, and Lifestyle, so I know what readers look for in these books and what it takes to stand out in the marketplace.

If we work together, I can help you hone your Big Idea and find your voice, develop a structure, draft chapters with superior content, and revise and polish your narrative until it is reader- and reviewer-ready. If your goal is an agent and a book deal, I can work with you on your proposal and sample chapters; having been in-house, I know how to get the attention of agents and imprints, and many of my clients go on to achieve representation.

I am known for being extremely collaborative and take great pride in providing my clients with the same level of care and editorial skill that they would get from a major publishing house. Nothing gives me greater joy than helping writers bringing fresh ideas and incredible stories to the marketplace!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement Travel
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-Employed

Sep, 2008 — Present
I work with literary agents, publishers, and private clients to provide freelance ghostwriting, editing, book development, and consulting services for nonfiction projects, from the proposal stage to the finished book.

The Doubleday Publishing Group/Penguin Random House LLC

Mar, 2003 — Jul, 2008 (over 5 years)
Published multiple New York Times and national bestsellers, and acquired and edited eight to ten commercial nonfiction titles a year in the areas of Memoir, Travel Narrative, Celebrity, Popular Culture, Self-Help, Health/Wellness, Business/Career, and Lifestyle. Oversaw all aspects of publication from cover design to marketing and promotion.

Broadway Books/Random House, Inc.

Sep, 1996 — Mar, 2003 (over 6 years)
Rose from Editorial Assistant to Editor in just four years, acquiring and editing 10-12 commercial non-fiction titles a year in the categories of Memoir, Travel Narrative, Self-Help, Pop Culture, Health/Fitness, Business/Career, and Lifestyle.

Portfolio

Saturday's Child: A Daughter's Memoir

Burns, Deborah

She Writes Press

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
SQUIRCLE: A New Way to THINK for a NEW WORLD

Cholle, Francis P.

SQUIRCLE Academy

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment

Ann has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Will T.

Will T.

Feb, 2025

Thorough and insightful! And brought her experience in my genre and helped my book tremendously.
Sarah T.

Sarah T.

Sep, 2024

Ann took my jumble of ideas and created a beautiful structure and narrative arc for my book. She took such care to understand the nuances of what I was trying to articulate and pushed me to clarify my vision, to gather details in support of my overall message, and to define my audience. She went ...
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