James Abbate

James Abbate – Editor

Professional editor with 13+ years experience. Here to provide every editing service and prepare your manuscript for publication.

Overview

Editor at Kensington Publishing, specializing in all genres of fiction and nonfiction, with a number of domestic and international bestselling authors on my list. I work quickly and efficiently to help authors and aspiring writers achieve a polished final product, editing for content, style, grammar, syntax, and impact.


For the past thirteen years I've worked at Kensington, the largest independent publisher in the United States, acquiring thrillers, mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, World War II thrillers, memoirs, biographies, and historical nonfiction, including a Holocaust memoir that was a 2022 National Jewish Book Award finalist, and a 2023 title that won Best Holocaust Memoir. My titles include tell-alls of franchises like Scarface, The Exorcist, and Rambo, and biographies of famous musicians like Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Gene Krupa, and Keith Urban, as well as historical figures such as Meyer Lansky, Russell Bufalino, Frances Perkins, Ben Kuroki, and others. I'm also the editor for military history books ranging from World War II to the Cold War, including espionage tell-alls from FBI and CIA agents.


I'm adept at working within a tight time frame and ensuring that a manuscript is at its best, no matter the genre. I have all the skills that come with years of refined practice across hundreds of manuscripts, including copy editing, proofreading, developmental editing, and editorial assessment.


I can also help writers craft a streamlined query letter that both packs a punch and catches an agent or editor's discerning eye, having received thousands myself over the past decade.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Contemporary Fiction Fantasy Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Thriller & Suspense
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs True Crime
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • M.S. in Publishing, Pace University

Work experience

Kensington Publishing

Jun, 2012 — Present

Portfolio

The Exorcist Legacy: 50 Years of Fear

Segaloff, Nat

Citadel Press

The Ghost Tattoo

Bernard, Tony

Citadel

Brace for Impact

Tata, Anthony J.

Kensington

Keith Urban

Apter, Jeff

The No-End House

Bates, Jeremy

Kensington

Terminal Impasse (NYPD Negotiators)

Driscoll, Sara

Kensington

Shadow Play

Driscoll, Sara

Kensington

Echoes of Memory

Driscoll, Sara

Coal

Grant, J. Jason

Holloway House

Double Tap

Dees, Cindy

Second Shot

Dees, Cindy

Summit’s Edge (An FBI K-9 Novel)

Driscoll, Sara

Kensington

Hunting the Hangman

Linskey, Howard

Ungentlemanly Warfare

Linskey, Howard

Unbound

Erlick, Lance

Shattered Lands

Henderson, Alice

Shattered Roads

Henderson, Alice

James has 79 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

mike R.

mike R.

May, 2025

The work was more extensive than anticipated, and yet he completed it with extreme professionalism and amazingly detailed feedback. Highly recommended!
James A.
Thank you so much, Mike, would love to work with you and your nephew again! As to the price, while it may seem expensive in a vacuum, I significantly undercut industry rates for this 120,000-word n...
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Matthew S.

Matthew S.

May, 2025

James did an exceptional job in copy editing my manuscript. The comments he gave were insightful and assisted greatly in refining the final draft, his no nonsense approach to getting the work done was also extremely refreshing. I will definitely work with James again.
James A.
Thank you so much, Matt, it was great working with you on this! Looking forward to many more collaborations.
Warren B.

Warren B.

Apr, 2025

Working with James was what I needed at this stage of my writing process. After two drafts and multiple Beta Reader reviews, I needed a professional to offer the Developmental and Copy Edit evaluation of my work. James provided me with a comprehensive editorial letter highlighting the merits of m...
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James A.
Thanks so much, Warren, would love to work with you again down the road!
Alessa M.

Alessa M.

Apr, 2025

Working with James on the first ten chapters of my novel has been a wonderful experience. His feedback was delivered with care and a deep understanding of storytelling and character development. His suggestions were thoughtful, his comments constructive, and his support unwavering. If you’re look...
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James A.
I appreciate you, Alessa, really looking forward to continue working with you on this book!
April C.

April C.

Mar, 2025

I would like to recommend James Abbate as a developmental editor. He recently reviewed my historical fiction manuscript, approximately 140,000 words, and within less than a month, he sent me a detailed and informative appraisal of it, listing its pros and cons, providing suggestions for how to im...
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James A.
Thanks so much, would love to work together again!

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