Jake Lovell

Jake Lovell – Editor

As a former agent and editorial assistant, I have a keen eye for story and the skills to help authors standout to editors and agents alike.

Overview

With years of experience, I bring an insider’s perspective to every manuscript I touch. As a former literary agent at one of the top agencies in the country, I know exactly what publishers are looking for—and how to help authors meet that bar without losing their unique voice. I am proudly a Chicano, Army veteran, former college instructor, and San Diego native with an M.A. in literature and writing.

I’ve edited and developed over 20 manuscripts and proposals bound for Big Five and indie publishers, and I've coached writers through Jericho Writers, Writing Pad, SleuthFest, StokerCon, and more. Whether you're polishing a pitch or deep in draft revisions, you’ll get transparent, supportive feedback and honest communication—always focused on your goals and your voice. Think of me as a teammate in your corner, helping you elevate the story only you can tell.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Horror Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller
Non-Fiction
History True Crime
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Catapult Book Group

Oct, 2025 — Present
Track manuscripts, evaluate incoming submissions, and maintain project metadata and schedules. Coordinate with editorial director, authors, agents, freelancers, and internal teams while proofreading manuscripts, writing copy, and preparing jacket, catalog, and sales materials.

Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency

Aug, 2023 — Sep, 2025 (about 2 years)
Evaluate and help develop manuscripts and proposals for submission and publication to Big Five and independent publishers for mine and my colleagues' projects.

California State University, San Marcos

Aug, 2020 — Jul, 2023 (almost 3 years)
I taught a range of lessons and courses to First-year college students, including: rhetoric, college composition, advanced composition and critical thinking, literature, and creative writing. Responsible for developing syllabi, preparing, and revising course descriptions and other pedagogical materials in accordance with course and assignment guidelines developed by department.

Portfolio

Proofreading
Red Ants: Stories

Blaeser, Kimberly

Counterpoint

Proofreading
Birds of War

Deón, Natashia

Counterpoint LLC

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Proofreading
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
The Reservation: A Novel

Kauffman, Rebecca

Counterpoint

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Surviving the Lie: A Russell Avery Novel

Queally, James

Counterpoint

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Love at Least: A Novel

Motoya, Yukiko

Soft Skull

Editorial Assessment
American Crow: A Novel

Burruss, Ryan

Counterpoint

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Blood River Witch: A Novel

Martinson, T.J.

Counterpoint

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Query Letter Review
Our Fragile Freedoms: Essays

Foner, Eric

W. W. Norton & Company

Query Letter Review
Indian Country: A Novel

Rao, Shobha

Crown

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
What the Dead Can Do: A Thriller

Rosch, Peter

Crooked Lane Books

Editorial Assessment Proofreading Query Letter Review

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