Flannery Wiest – Editor

"Flannery raises the bar, and would make an amazing addition to any project. I’ve worked with her on multiple books, and it’s always been a joyful, productive experience. Her keen editorial insight, creativity, passion, and boundless enthusiasm always make the end result something truly special. Any team would be lucky to have her." —Testimonial from author Steve Behling

Between my graduate education in Children's Literature, my freelance work for numerous literary agencies and small publishers, and my most recent roles as an editor with Disney Press and Quarto Books, I have gained a deep understanding of both storytelling and the publishing industry, worked with writers at all stages of their careers—from authors on submission with their debut novels to established New York Times bestsellers—and contributed to the development of over 180 titles. While I particularly enjoy working on middle grade and young adult speculative, historical, mystery, and romantic fiction and any content that magnifies diverse voices, I am experienced in all age ranges, formats, and genres, including audio scripts, cookbooks, and illustrated books. Whatever the type of story, I have a flair for structure, detail, continuity, creative strategy, and knowing how to execute the macro needs of a project at the micro level.

As a writer myself, I have been in your shoes. This perspective has informed my author-first editorial philosophy, which focuses on mentorship, not micromanagement; meeting you where you are with compassion and enthusiasm; and honoring your unique vision and goals for your book. You will find me to be a supportive, responsive, honest, creative collaborator who becomes deeply invested in everything I commit to and who is ready to leverage my skills and experience to your advantage. I look forward to helping you make your book the best it can be!

Please note, I am likely NOT a good fit for content that includes:

-AI-generated content (please disclose any AI use)

-True or gritty crime

-Gratuitous or unnecessary violence against women, including sexual violence

-Love triangles

-Erotica

-Stories where disability drives the plot or is something to be "overcome"

-Novels in verse