Donna Freitas – Editor

Over the last two decades I’ve published more than 25 books (fiction & nonfiction, for adults, children, and young adults) across the Big Five houses, and I've taught in three creative writing MFAs, so the world of publishing has become my world too. For the last decade, I’ve worked privately as a developmental editor across genres.

Whether you are on your tenth novel or your first, writing for adults or for children, or even working on a memoir or scholarly trade book, I’ve done it all. I love using my experience to help writers get to the finish line of their dream book, to fix the manuscript they’ve struggled to make work, or even to get unstuck. I can help writers re-imagine their book, or restructure it if need be (I really am a book doctor!). And there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a writer I’ve worked with query agents, land one, and then have their publishing dreams come true.

I will give you critical feedback with a gentle touch, and I will cheerlead you until you believe in yourself. I will answer all your questions about the mysteries of traditional publishing, and I will help you go down that road. I can also help you decide whether a less traditional publishing path might make you happier and give you more freedom and control over your work.

I specialize in fiction of all kinds (Upmarket Women’s and Romance especially, and YA & MG across genres), as well as memoir. I hold a Ph.D. and have worked with many scholars on both trade and university press books as well.

And because I believe writers should not have to toil alone, if you work with me you will eventually find yourself meeting other writers, since I make an effort to gather my writers together for in-person retreats, as well as zoom confabulations because we all—and you all—need one another!