Elizabeth Zack - Editor
Former Senior Editor at Ballantine Books; specializes in content editing of non-fiction (self-help, parenting, wellbeing) & fiction.
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Overview
I learned from the best: two of the world's top-notch publishers, Ballantine Books/Random House, Inc. and John Wiley & Sons/Wiley Publishing. At both companies I served as a Senior Developmental and Acquisitions Editor. Today, I continue to partner with writers (published and aspiring) to help them craft and develop their work. I'm thrilled that I've had some great responses to my editing, including these raves:
"Absolutely the best!" - Joan Mathews-Larson, author of the national bestseller Depression-Free, Naturally
"An awesome editor." - New York Times-bestselling author Joan Wester Anderson
"I was continually amazed at each and every page you touched." - Douglas L. Hoover, author, The Dirt Bike Detective
"A fantastic editor who has the incredible ability to amplify the author's voice, making the ideas more clear and powerful." - Glenda Storm, writer
"Her work is professional and smart. She has a canny ability to bring life to a manuscript, while maintaining the integrity of the work." - Beth Grosshans and Janet Burton, authors, Beyond Time-Out
Since I previously worked at publishers offering extremely packed production schedules, I've had the opportunity to develop literally hundreds of titles. So I can easily write that I specialize in both
non-fiction (memoir, parenting, self-help, wellness, inspiration, spirituality, and so on) and fiction (including women's fiction, YA, romance, and thrillers.).
As your content editor, I will take a unique and individualized approach to your manuscript; in other words, I'll give it what it needs. That may mean rewriting and revising some of your words and passages, as well as offering suggestions and comments about the writing based on what I've learned in this the industry over the past thirty years. The editing will be directly worded, accessible, and very specific.
With non-fiction works, I am apt to focus on the: structure (both of the book and the individual chapters); voice (authoritative or not? personal, direct, and accessible, or not?); commercial appeal; viability (have you effectively proven/laid out your point?); pace; style; transitions and chapter closes; and so forth.
With fiction works, I am likely to focus on: pace; description (lacking, just right, or overwritten?); sentence structure (run-ons, or staccato?); character development/emotional motivation/believability; level of suspense/drama; scene changes and chapter closes; and so forth.
I am quite happy to work with writers at any stage of their career - and I have. I am proud to count new and aspiring writers, published authors, authors of local, regional, and/or national bestsellers, authors whose work have received great publicity and review attention, indie authors, and authors at 'big' publishers among my clientele.
"Absolutely the best!" - Joan Mathews-Larson, author of the national bestseller Depression-Free, Naturally
"An awesome editor." - New York Times-bestselling author Joan Wester Anderson
"I was continually amazed at each and every page you touched." - Douglas L. Hoover, author, The Dirt Bike Detective
"A fantastic editor who has the incredible ability to amplify the author's voice, making the ideas more clear and powerful." - Glenda Storm, writer
"Her work is professional and smart. She has a canny ability to bring life to a manuscript, while maintaining the integrity of the work." - Beth Grosshans and Janet Burton, authors, Beyond Time-Out
Since I previously worked at publishers offering extremely packed production schedules, I've had the opportunity to develop literally hundreds of titles. So I can easily write that I specialize in both
non-fiction (memoir, parenting, self-help, wellness, inspiration, spirituality, and so on) and fiction (including women's fiction, YA, romance, and thrillers.).
As your content editor, I will take a unique and individualized approach to your manuscript; in other words, I'll give it what it needs. That may mean rewriting and revising some of your words and passages, as well as offering suggestions and comments about the writing based on what I've learned in this the industry over the past thirty years. The editing will be directly worded, accessible, and very specific.
With non-fiction works, I am apt to focus on the: structure (both of the book and the individual chapters); voice (authoritative or not? personal, direct, and accessible, or not?); commercial appeal; viability (have you effectively proven/laid out your point?); pace; style; transitions and chapter closes; and so forth.
With fiction works, I am likely to focus on: pace; description (lacking, just right, or overwritten?); sentence structure (run-ons, or staccato?); character development/emotional motivation/believability; level of suspense/drama; scene changes and chapter closes; and so forth.
I am quite happy to work with writers at any stage of their career - and I have. I am proud to count new and aspiring writers, published authors, authors of local, regional, and/or national bestsellers, authors whose work have received great publicity and review attention, indie authors, and authors at 'big' publishers among my clientele.
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Health & Wellbeing
Parenting & Families
Religion & Spirituality
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Sex & Relationships
Fiction
Romance
Women's Fiction
Work experience
Freelance Editor
Self-employed
January, 2003
–
Present
(over 18 years)
Tired of a two-hour commute to NYC (once it took seven hours; black ice was to blame!), I finally decided that a home office was for me, and for the past fourteen years I've freelanced.
As a freelance editor I provide the same top service and offer the same kind of editorial advice I offered as a Senior Editor at two top publishers. That means my clients receive: manuscript collaboration, content editing, editorial assessments, and/or consultation. My clientele consists of aspiring writers and published authors, literary agents, and publishers .
Senior Editor
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
August, 2000
–
August, 2002
(about 2 years)
Recruited by John Wiley Inc. to be a Senior Editor in their trade paperback and hardcover list, Elizabeth conceptualized, acquired, and developed titles focused on health and wellness, self-help, and parenting.
Senior Editor
The Ballantine Publishing Group/Division of Random House, Inc.
June, 1987
–
August, 2000
(about 13 years)
Joining the Hardcovers and Trade Paperbacks department right out of college, Elizabeth started as an Editorial Assistant to three busy NYC-based editors.
A mere seven months after Elizabeth joined the company, the V.P. and Editor-in-Chief snatched her away when she lost her own assistant (truly! just ask my three editors...).
In her new role Elizabeth worked as the Editor-in-Chief's Executive Assistant, as well as Coordinator for the Trade Department.
A series of promotions ensued - Assistant Editor; Associate Editor; Editor, and Senior Editor - meaning that Elizabeth was fortunate to happily acquire, develop, and edit titles in all kinds of subjects areas (both fiction and nonfiction) at Ballantine Books for a period of thirteen years.
Portfolio (16 selected works)
Beyond Time-Out: From Chaos to Calm
Beth A. Grosshans, Janet H. Burton
The covers of such magazines as Time and Newsweek have described parents as living in “mayhem” and “madness” with their children. TV’s Supernanny regularly captures kids wildly, unbelievably out of control. How did our families get to such a state? Child psychologist Dr. Beth Grosshans has the answer. And mothers and fathers everywhere are listening. In what is sure to become a much-discussed ... read more
The Many Loves of Mila (Mila in America Book 1)
Inna Swinton
"A riveting read, this novel will ensnare readers in the first chapter and not let up." --Kirkus Reviews"Inna Swinton is the Gary Shteyngart of chic-lit, capturing the contemporary Russian-Jewish immigrant experience with a light touch and a sharp eye." -- Sally KoslowMila Simon is having a meltdown. Newly separated from her investment banker husband, she chain-smokes in her Jewish immigrant p... read more
Many of you who appear to have life under control are simply great actors. Underneath you live with inner tensions, anxiety or panic states, feelings of hopelessness or paranoia, racing thoughts, ongoing anger, bone-weary fatigue. . . . The good news is that all this is fixable.What is the best treatment for ongoing depression, mood swings, exhaustion, and anxiety? Psychotherapy? Prescription ... read more
Wired Child: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age
Richard Freed
A practical guide to building your child’s bond with family and fostering school success amid the allure of digital screensKids’ obsessive use of video games, social media, and texting is eclipsing their connections with family and school—the two most important contributors to their well-being. The result: a generation of kids who suffer from soaring rates of emotional and academic problems, w... read more
The Power of Miracles: True Stories of God's Presence
Joan Wester Anderson
From the New York Times best-selling author of Where Angels Walk Now, for the first time in paperback, The Power of Miracles brings together Joan Wester Anderson’s most glorious and remarkable accounts of unexpected healings, celestial visions, mysterious rescues, and angelic encounters. The amazing occurrences shared within these pages teach us to be conscious of God’s work in our everyday li... read more
Below the Equator (The Hunter Series)
Anna Scott Falcon
On the eve of Robin’s 30th birthday, her life spins out of control: Her sister is suicidal, her husband may be cheating, and a promotion doesn’t go as planned. Robin is desperate for a break, and the chance to pull herself—and her life—back together. Robin decides a vacation—an exotic trip for women in the Amazonian rainforest—is just what she needs. But before the group has even settled in at... read more
Getting Older, Being Here guides you, personally or as a caregiver, through the challenges of the later years of life. You learn how to add grace and compassion to this journey by reducing stressful thoughts and actions. It is filled with vital information and real-world solutions to aging and caregiving challenges, including how to do Rehab “right.” The book gives you the simple keys to makin... read more
The Braided Locket
Michael Livolsi
John Adler’s life was orderly and predictable until the day he stumbled upon something that would strangely impact him forever. The normal and serene life John had been living was suddenly vague and complicated. It became increasingly difficult for him to differentiate between the reality of his every-day life and the fantasy which was quickly taking over his mind. John had always connected wi... read more
The control-freak, the narcissist, the slacker, the cynic... Difficult people are the worst part of a manager’s job.Whether it comes from direct reports or people above, outbursts, irrational demands, griping, and other disruptions need to be dealt with—and it’s your responsibility to do it. Leading the Unleadable turns this dreaded chore into a straight forward process that gently, yet effect... read more
In this wonderfully illustrated "chapter book" readers young and older will enjoy the adventures of Gabriel Peters. We meet him at the end of his fourth grade year, when he confronts his toughest bullies, Ronnie, on the playground and Carl, his brother, in their shared bunkbeds. Soon the underdog will take control and win over the bullies as well as your heart. This book should be read aloud i... read more
At last, step-by-step guidance and concrete exercises that tailor the Feel the Fear program to the demands of your busy life!With her phenomenal bestseller Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, renowned author Susan Jeffers has helped millions of people overcome their fears and move forward in their lives with confidence, action, and love. Now in this new work, Dr. Jeffers takes us by the hand and g... read more
Making Divorce Work: 8 Essential Keys to Resolving Conflict and Rebuilding Your Life
Diana Mercer, Katie Jane Wennechuk
Eight essential keys to resolving conflict and rebuilding your life. This unique and empowering guide gives divorcing couples the skills to manage their divorce successfully, handle the legal and emotional issues harmoniously, and redefine and preserve the positive elements of their relationship. Informed by eight mediation concepts developed and used by the authors in their practice, the proc... read more
When Mary Magdelene is born into a Jewish family in a small town on the western bank of the Sea of Galilee, no one has any idea of the impact she will have on biblical history for thousands of years to come. As she grows up learning to have a reverence for God, celebrating auspicious days, and listening to the prayers and readings of the Torah, Mary eventually matures into a young woman who un... read more
Sekret (Sekret Series)
Lindsay Smith
An empty mind is a safe mind. Yulia's father always taught her to hide her thoughts and control her emotions to survive the harsh realities of Soviet Russia. But when she's captured by the KGB and forced to work as a psychic spy with a mission to undermine the U.S. space program, she's thrust into a world of suspicion, deceit, and horrifying power. Yulia quickly realizes she can trust no one--... read more
The Lost Years: Surviving a Mother and Daughter's Worst Nightmare
Kristina Wandzilak, Constance Curry
A child caught in the horror of alcohol and drug addition. A mother helplessly standing by unable to save her. The Lost Years is the real life story of just such a mother and child, each giving their first-hand accounts of the years lost to addiction and despair. Kristina, the second of four children, tells how she turns to alcohol for comfort when she is thirteen. She gives a brutally honest ... read more
Get an Insider Glimpse into What Life is Really Like Among Hollywood's Bright Lights and Big Stars As a young woman struggling to make ends meet in L.A., photographer Jennifer Buhl never dreamed that a chance encounter with the paparazzi would lead her to chasing celebrities around in her bright-red, beat-up pickup truck. It wasn't long before she became one of the most successful "paps" in th... read more
Elizabeth has 15 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Elizabeth was excellent to work with and certainly exceeded my expectations. As a new author, I had never worked with a developmental editor before and going forward, will never publish anything without one. I am still reviewing all of her edits and suggestions and she is making me dig more, provide more context and think about my story in a way I had not before.
When I started this project, I...
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Jeff Scholl, February 2021
I enjoyed working with Elizabeth and look forward to future collaborations as well.
MIchelle Maida, January 2021
Elizabeth is a seasoned editor and still dedicated even after decades of experience which is simply fantastic. (In comparison to me where I can't stick with one job longer than a couple of years, LOL.)
She has a very good sense for the tone of an author and can skillfully adapt the content to be appropriate for the audience.
Communicating with Elizabeth was truly a delight and she is not just ...
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Dasha Schindler, October 2020
I’m REALLY happy with the work Elizabeth did for my book "A Little Kinder, A Lot Happier: How Simple Kindness Practices Can Make You Happier". I love how she brought more of a conversational style and fun to the writing! That’s the style I love reading in nonfiction books, but I haven’t yet mastered how to write. My book is so much more enjoyable to read now!!
Elizabeth strengthened my book i...
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Celeste DiMilla, December 2019
From our very first interaction, Elizabeth understood how much this book meant to me. Her attention to detail is amazing and her ability to capture my voice was spot on. I am so grateful for her gift and the work that has resulted from her thorough edits.
Kirsten Beverley-Waters, November 2019
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