Jazmine Kanengiser

Jazmine Kanengiser – Editor

A meticulous, passionate editor of literary fiction, short stories, and memoir, with seven years of experience in NYC publishing

Overview

I am an experienced editor specializing in literary fiction, short stories, and memoir, with a proven record of critical and commercial success. I have extensive experience in the world of NYC publishing, where I've worked at literary agencies, an international scouting agency, and, most recently, in the editorial department at independent publishing house Grove Atlantic. As a result, I understand what agents and editors are looking for in a manuscript and can help to shape your work into a polished and professional submission. Working under Editorial Director Elisabeth Schmitz at Grove, I was fortunate to edit a number of Elisabeth's authors, including Francisco Goldman, Lily Tuck, Sabina Murray, and Plimpton Prize-winner Kelli Jo Ford, author of the recent critically-acclaimed novel Crooked Hallelujah.

I generally begin the editing process with a close, careful reading of the manuscript, teasing out the broader structural edits through probing questions, frank reactions, and careful attention to narrative details. After going through the necessary round(s) of structural editing, I provide a meticulous line edit designed to polish and perfect the manuscript at the sentence level. I prefer to edit the old-fashioned way, with pencil on paper, but can provide edits in track changes if preferred. I love working with first-time novelists and am happy to provide guidance on the publishing industry and manuscript submission process as well. Above all else, I'm passionate about books and the editing process, and eager to work collaboratively with writers in perfecting their work.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Literary Fiction Short Story
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society
  • Award for Best Honors Thesis in Contemporary Fiction
Certifications
  • Bachelor of Arts, New York University

Work experience

Freelance

Jan, 2020 — Present

• Provided structural and copyediting services to author clients across many genres
• Edited clients’ pitch letters to ensure quality, eye-catching submissions to agents and editors

Grove Atlantic

Apr, 2018 — Aug, 2019 (over 1 year)

• Provided structural and line edits for a variety of books, including Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford and The Girl at the Door by Veronica Raimo
• Served as gatekeeper and first reader on all incoming book submissions from agents, advising the editorial director on which submissions to read and pursue for publication
• Wrote promotional and marketing copy for all books on the editorial director’s list for use on book jackets, in catalogs, and on retailer websites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble
• Oversaw all aspects of a book’s production from copyediting to jacket design to marketing, publicity, and sales, serving as liaison between the author and all departments working on a given book

William Morris Endeavor

Aug, 2015 — Apr, 2018 (over 2 years)

• Managed and supported roster of 50+ high-level and celebrity clients, providing editorial guidance and feedback as their projects moved from conception to publication
• Wrote pitch and editorial letters for current and prospective clients, evaluating their work on its suitability for representation and publication

Farrar, Straus & Giroux

May, 2015 — Jul, 2015 (2 months)

• Read and evaluated manuscripts currently on submission to FSG editors, providing written reports and feedback on each one
• Drafted licensing agreement and updated sub-rights databases for the Subsidiary Rights department

Maria Campbell Associates

Jan, 2014 — Aug, 2014 (7 months)

• Wrote reader’s reports on forthcoming books for US publication, which were sent to international publishing houses in 20 countries
• Provided detailed evaluations of current book projects for use by TV and movie executives at Warner Bros.

ICM Partners

May, 2013 — Jul, 2013 (2 months)

• Evaluated manuscripts submitted to the office of agent Esther Newberg

Jazmine has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

J. G. J.

J. G. J.

Jan, 2021

When I first read Jazmine’s profile, I knew that she was the type of editor that I wanted to work with. She reads and rereads the manuscript, finding inconsistencies, asking questions that a reader would ask, and helps to guide you in becoming a better writer with your work. All of her edits are by hand, and you receive your manuscript back with a legend of editorial marks that help to guide yo...
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garr P.

garr P.

Dec, 2020

It was a pleasure working with Jazmine. Her copy edit of my novel was honest, constructive, precise, and included structural comments to help improve the narrative. Her editing made it fun to embrace the process of revision. I would recommend her to any author.
mark B.

mark B.

Sep, 2020

I enjoyed working with Jazmine, I liked her pen to paper approach to editing. I believe her insight and suggestions will help me to make my book the polished product I'm after. She also made herself available to speak with me and address any questions I had about the edits. I really appreciated that. I would definitely use her again in the future, and would recommend her to anybody needing an e...
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