Jenna Fagan

Jenna Fagan – Editor

Acquiring and Developmental Editor. I work on YA, romance, narrative nonfiction, essay compilations, cookbook, and lifestyle titles.

Overview

Your book's first reader and biggest fan! I have experience as an acquiring nonfiction editor at Page Street Publishing, where I helped build a company that Publisher’s Weekly named one of the fastest growing independent book publishers for the past four years running. I researched, acquired, and edited titles in narrative nonfiction, essay compilations, cooking, crafting, self-help, parenting and other lifestyle titles. I also have editorial experience working with YA titles, romance, and women's fiction titles at literary agencies such as Aevitas Creative Management and Brown & Miller Literary Associates.


I can offer my clients editorial assessment, developmental editing, line editing, proofreading, and copyediting. I'm happy to play as big or as small a role in the writing and editing process as you like-- whether I'm delving into the big edits, analyzing characterization, finessing adjectives, or even just lending you an ear and being someone to bounce ideas off of. I'm dedicated to helping my authors make their books the best they can be!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Fiction
Young Adult
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Page Street Publishing Co.

Jun, 2018 — Present

I acquire and edit nonfiction books in the narrative nonfiction, cooking, craft, self-help and lifestyle genres, working both directly with authors and through agents. I typically acquire and work on 4 books per season; 12 books a year.

As an editor, I shepherd my authors' books through the publication process, from acquisition to on-sale date. I help my authors conceptualize and outline their book ideas, brainstorm titles and subtitles, advise them on their content, and advise them how make their books the most appealing to readers. On a more up-close level, I help my authors trim their prose and express their ideas in the best way possible.

I also write all jacket copy, digital copy, and promotional copy for my authors' manuscripts, and collaborate with the design team to style book covers and with the publicity and marketing teams to develop promotional campaigns

My favorite part of my job is getting to act as your book's first reader and biggest fan. I'm dedicated to helping my authors make their books the best they can be!

Page Street Publishing

Mar, 2018 — Jun, 2018 (3 months)

As an editorial assistant, I wrote back cover copy, promotional copy, and other essential reading materials for Page Street YA and nonfiction titles. I also read circulating pages, checked manuscript changes, copyedited and proofed manuscript and jacket copy, and otherwise assisted editors with the publication process. I compiled tip sheets of Page Street titles for Macmillan sales team, as well as helped market the books.

Hachette Books Group

May, 2017 — Dec, 2017 (7 months)

• Evaluated contracts for the available rights and permissions for foreign markets
• Compiled deal memos for foreign market acquisition
• Crafted creative catalogue copy for Perseus’ foreign rights guide and
• Wrote pitch letters to promote interest in Perseus’ books abroad

Aevitas Creative Management

Jan, 2017 — May, 2017 (4 months)

• Read and evaluated current clients’ manuscripts, as well wrote readers reports and gave editorial advice on selected YA titles.
• Helped agents identify potential clients by reading, evaluating, and writing reports on submitted client manuscripts, in the YA, romance, mystery and women's fiction genres.
• Authored a weekly agency-wide report of potential clients and book ideas, newsworthy topics, and competing titles and deals

Browne & Miller Literary Associates

May, 2015 — Aug, 2015 (3 months)

• Evaluated author query letters and submitted manuscripts
• Pitched authors as potential clients to Browne & Miller literary agents weekly

Portfolio

I’d gone to college. I’d written for the New York Times. I had a solid credit score. How did I end up here? After his breakout hit book I’m Sorry . . . Love, Your Husband, Clint Edwards has more laugh-out-loud tales, this time from the “terrible twos” and “thr... read more
Afterimage

Naomi Hughes

"This tale deserves a prominent place on sci-fi shelves."—SLJ“[This] high-action, science-fiction thriller starts with a bang and never slows for a beat. …[P]lot twists, flashbacks, and alternate timelines keep the story full of surprises. A wild, fast-paced r... read more
“A compulsive page-turner with shades of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History peopled by a new generation.”—Catherine Steadman, New York Times bestselling author of Something in the Water NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY GOOD HOUSEKEEPING In her first we... read more
Is It Possible to Love and Hate a Job at the Same Time?In these hilariously frank essays, high school English instructor and popular parenting blogger Stephanie Jankowski throws open the classroom door to share the victories, challenges and WTF moments that ma... read more
Kelsey Preciado is the founder of Little Bits of Real Food, where she showcases delicious and unique Paleo meals for those with dietary restrictions or anyone looking to eat healthier. With this collection of go-to recipes for Paleo eaters, Kelsey shows you ho... read more
Weeknight Gourmet Dinners debunks the myth that cooking thought-out, exquisite meals is only reserved for the weekends, when you have hours of prep time. Meseidy Rivera, founder of The Noshery, shows readers how making gourmet-level meals with unique ingredien... read more
Sarah Tiong opens up a new world of flavor from Laotian Meatballs and Cambodian Pork Chops to Chicken and Beef Satay in this exciting southeast Asian street food cookbook. With fantastic recipes straight from the food markets of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, ... read more
Italian Classics without the Fuss With Italian-born cook Andrea Soranidis’ 20-minute (or less!) recipes, you can enjoy classic Italian dishes without spending hours simmering sauce or slaving over a hot stove―and most importantly, without sacrificing the amazi... read more

Jenna has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Larissa B.

Larissa B.

Jan, 2022

Jenna performed an editorial assessment on the first draft of my novel, a YA crossover that was 85,000 words at the time of the assessment. Her insight has been incredibly valuable. She keyed in on every detail that was missing, every theme that wasn't as fleshed out as it could be, and every plot hole I'd missed. She treated my work with care and respect, while still showing me all the ways I ...
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Lauren E.

Lauren E.

Dec, 2020

Working with Jenna exceeded my expectations. She was the first editor I've worked with, and I am so grateful to have been in such good hands. She went above and beyond to tighten up my work and get my manuscript to its absolute best. She really took the time to understand my vision and paid extra attention to keep my voice and message consistent and clear. I will absolutely be working with her ...
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Jenna F.
Thank you so much for the lovely review! I very much enjoyed copyediting your manuscript, and would be happy to work together again in the future. :)
Joseph R.

Joseph R.

Nov, 2020

Jenna was great! She wrote an excellent query letter I plan to send to agents soon. Her comp list was invaluable, too. She even provided some useful editorial feedback, despite that not being part of her assignment. I highly recommend her for authors who need help figuring out how to position their book in the market.
Jenna F.
Thank you Joseph! I'm so glad you had a great experience working with me and felt my input was valuable and helpful. I very much enjoyed reading your manuscript and preparing you to pitch it to age...
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