Jacquelin Cangro - Editor
Seasoned book editor with 20 years of experience at Penguin Random House committed to helping writers make their stories sing.
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Overview
Hi! I'm a seasoned developmental editor of fiction and nonfiction with 20 years of experience at Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster. I have also been writing coach, and writing instructor for more than two decades. My goal is to help you strengthen your work while remaining true to your vision. I do this by providing clear suggestions with actionable feedback so you know the next steps to make your story the best it can be.
After all this time working with authors (and being one myself), I know one thing for sure: you have a unique story to tell. I can help you share that story with the world.
Some kind words from recent clients:
Jackie Cangro is more than just an editor; she is an inspiration and a push to see a story through to the end. Her comments on the draft of my first novel were detailed and informative, and I now have a clear map of how to forge ahead. I would recommend her to a writer at any stage in the process.~Adrienne Oliver, developmental editing client, got lucky when Jackie agreed to be my editor. She was extremely positive with her suggestions and always available for my questions. I would highly recommend her to any writer who wants their work to be the best possible. ~Carol Fricke, developmental editing client
Jackie’s not just a writer or editor. She’s a reader. And the sort of reader who reminds a writer that his duty is to the reader first and to his own hangups and sacred moo-cows second. She knows that stories have starts and ends and the good ones have peaks and valleys and buckets of conflict. She also gives it to you straight–without making you feel like a complete idiot…Every writer should be lucky enough to have someone like her around. ~Ken Wheaton, author of The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival
You were clear on the corrections and explanations. The description tags were so helpful and cleared up a lot of possible confusion; thank you because you did not have to do that. You did a wonderful and meticulous job. Money well spent and earned by you. I learned some English along the way! ~Doug Howery, author of The Grass Sweeper God
After all this time working with authors (and being one myself), I know one thing for sure: you have a unique story to tell. I can help you share that story with the world.
Some kind words from recent clients:
Jackie Cangro is more than just an editor; she is an inspiration and a push to see a story through to the end. Her comments on the draft of my first novel were detailed and informative, and I now have a clear map of how to forge ahead. I would recommend her to a writer at any stage in the process.~Adrienne Oliver, developmental editing client, got lucky when Jackie agreed to be my editor. She was extremely positive with her suggestions and always available for my questions. I would highly recommend her to any writer who wants their work to be the best possible. ~Carol Fricke, developmental editing client
Jackie’s not just a writer or editor. She’s a reader. And the sort of reader who reminds a writer that his duty is to the reader first and to his own hangups and sacred moo-cows second. She knows that stories have starts and ends and the good ones have peaks and valleys and buckets of conflict. She also gives it to you straight–without making you feel like a complete idiot…Every writer should be lucky enough to have someone like her around. ~Ken Wheaton, author of The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival
You were clear on the corrections and explanations. The description tags were so helpful and cleared up a lot of possible confusion; thank you because you did not have to do that. You did a wonderful and meticulous job. Money well spent and earned by you. I learned some English along the way! ~Doug Howery, author of The Grass Sweeper God
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Travel
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Literary Fiction
Romance
Short Story
Women's Fiction
Young Adult
Certifications
- MFA in Creative Writing, Georgia State University
- Certificate in Developmental Editing, Editorial Freelancers Association
- Certificate in Copy Editing, Editorial Freelancers Association
Work experience
Editorial Consultant
Self-employed
January, 2008
–
Present
(about 12 years)
Teaching Artist
The Loft Literary Center
September, 2012
–
Present
(over 7 years)
I have taught five different classes through The Loft's online portal, including:
*Back to Basics: Exploring the Elements of Creative Writing
*The Power of POV: Choose the Best Perspective for Your Story
*The Writer's Muse: Explorations in Creativity
*Writing About Place: Creating an Immersive Setting
*Be Your Own Editor: Getting Your Novel Ready for Publication
Executive Director
Penguin Random House
February, 2000
–
Present
(almost 20 years)
For my book, The Subway Chronicles: Scenes from Life in New York, I edited essays from writers such as Colson Whitehead, Francine Prose, Calvin Trillin, Jonathan Lethem, Jennifer Toth, Lawrence Block, and more.
Portfolio (11 selected works)
Some seven million people board the New York City subway every day, each one with a story to tell. The Subway Chronicles collects twenty-seven of the tales, dramas and comedies that unfold during the daily commute. From the “mole people” living in the subway tunnels, to the transit employees working behind the scenes, to the locals and tourists riding shoulder-to-shoulder in harmony, discord, ... read more
Time Travel Kids
Reginald Williams
Fifteen year-old James Simmons lives with his parents in Dallas, Texas; James is an internet artist sensation, he sells pictures on the internet of mystical and magical worlds and creatures but what many people don't realize are that these photos are real. James is a Time Travel Kid, he was born with the ability to open and enlarge subatomic wormholes in a place called the quantum foam.When Ja... read more
The Strickland File
Jeffrey Baer
Gary Strickland is astonished to lose his job before proposing to his childhood sweetheart Angela and braces for a lengthy search through the maze of New York City companies. Three days later Alex Schneider, a successful trade paper’s CFO, hires the recent college graduate to collect unpaid amounts from advertisers. But no sooner is Gary wedged among stingy clients, selfish coworkers, and his ... read more
The Grass Sweeper God
Doug Howery
In the 1950s Appalachia coal fields of Solitude, VA... Smiley Hanlon is placed in the "Mentally Retarded" Class... Because he is different...Being different in America has never been easy; being born different and in the wrong body in Solitude, Virginia in the 1950’s, is brutal. Smiley Hanlon lives day to day trapped in a Coal Miners town, buffeted by the Appalachian’s and generations of hate ... read more
The Mosquito Hours
Melissa DeLorenzo
“In prose as undulating as the ocean by which the story is set, THE MOSQUITO HOURS chronicles the Crawford family, a multi-generational family of widowed and unwed women, momentarily at the ebb tide of their lives. Melissa Corliss DeLorenzo takes us into the world of ordinary women living with pluck and dignity despite unplanned pregnancies, underemployment and the untimely deaths of loved one... read more
You, Me and the Rest of Us: #NewYorkStories
Alex Clermont
New York City is one of the most famous places in the world, but it's also home to more than eight million residents. People who are living everyday lives filled with the wonders and fears we all share. "You, Me and the Rest of Us: #NewYorkStories" is a collection of stories about those people who are all trying to find their place in the world. From the comical to the tragic, these vignettes ... read more
The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival
Ken Wheaton
Welcome to Grand Prairie, Louisiana—land of confounding accents, hard-drinking senior citizens, and charming sinners—brought to hilarious life in a bracing, heartfelt debut novel simmering with Cajun spice. . .Father Steve Sibille has come home to the bayou to take charge of St. Pete's church. Among his challenges are teenybopper altar girls, insomnia-curing confessions, and alarmingly allurin... read more
Sweet as Cane, Salty as Tears: A Novel
Ken Wheaton
A freak accident forces a New Yorker to return to Louisiana and confront her Cajun pastThere is nothing more dangerous than a spooked rhinoceros. It is just before lunchtime when Huey, the prized black rhino of Broussard, Louisiana, erupts from his enclosure, trampling a zoo employee on his way to a rampage in the Cajun countryside. The incident makes the rounds online as News of the Weird, an... read more
Bacon and Egg Man: A Novel
Ken Wheaton
In the halls of Congress, on the streets, in the media, the war on fast food is on. Tofu may be topical, but bacon is eternal. Bacon and Egg Man, Ken Wheaton’s second novel, is a sly send-up of a politically correct food establishment, where the Northeast has split off from the rest of the United States. The new Federation is ruled by the electoral descendants of King Mike, a man who made it h... read more
Talking Underwater
Melissa DeLorenzo
“Sister” is a sacred word. Cattail Beach is joy. Until one day at its shore, both are lost in a single moment.Family is life, and Amy enjoys a gentle, happy one. Devoted parents, a loving marriage, two little girls, a fulfilling career and a cherished relationship with her sister. Amy and Heather are more than sisters—best friends, inseparable confidants, co-workers and, finally, mothers.Catta... read more
The Common No. 13
Jennifer Acker, Bethany Ball, Laura Winther Galaviz, Menachem Kaiser, Bruna Dantas Lobatoo, Mensah Demary, Mary Jo Salter, Zack Strait, Cortney Lamar Charleston, Vievee Francis
The Common is a print and digital literary journal published biannually, in the fall and spring. Issues of The Common include short stories, essays, poems, and images that embody a strong sense of place. The Common Online publishes original content four times per week, including book reviews, interviews, personal essays, short dispatches, poetry, contributor podcasts and recordings, and multim... read more
Jacquelin has 11 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
The advice Jacquelin gave addressed every weak area I was concerned about in my short story. She was so helpful and professional, and continued to answer questions even after the query! Thank you for all the amazing help!
G Ramirez, December 2019
Overall, I have enjoyed my experience with Jacquelin. She was concise with her answers to my questions and helpful with her feedback on my short story/prologue. Our collaboration has helped immensely with me moving forward in my novel and I look forward to working with her again in the future.
Jennifer Ortiz, December 2019
Working with Jacquelin has been a rewarding experience. She went through my manuscript with a fine-tooth comb (in a positive way), highlighting how to improve the quality with some minor and some major tweaks. This was however after she had praised the book (felt good to hear from a pro).
To top it all off, she gave practical tips on how to work her tweaks into the book and during our call, sp...
Read more
ikenna ngene, December 2019
I enjoyed working with Jacquelin. She did exactly what she said she would do. She did it to the schedule we agreed and I found the professionalism of her feedback and insights excellent.
achillislander Gallagher, November 2019
I am really happy with Jackie's developmental edit. I really like that she explains the concepts behind her suggestions. This enables me to see my bad habits or ways to improve things not just in a specific instance but in all of my writing. That makes the value of her input very high indeed. The draft I am working on now is 100% better and I am looking forward to working with Jackie more.
Oliver Olsen, November 2019
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