Jean Heller - Editor
I am a published author, former journalist, eight-time Pulitzer nominee, and book doctor who helps authors turn manuscripts into success.
Request a quote
Overview
Let's face it: The publishing business these days isn't for the faint of heart. And it's no fun going it alone. You need someone who's been there and found ways to succeed.
I'm an award-winning mystery writer and book doctor with twenty-eight years' experience--the good, the bad, and the really ugly. I consider it my job to help others in the mystery/thriller genre turn their manuscripts into polished works that capture the imaginations of agents and publishers. I specialize in evaluation of complete manuscripts, content, character, story, and structure, and will do line editing and proofreading of some works. Among authors I've worked with are Ron Alvarez, the late Walter Satterthwait, and Ian Vasquez.
Not to brag, but of the frustrated writers I've worked with over the years, almost all who followed my suggestions found agents and publishers--one even got a three-book contract with a legacy house. My own first novel was nominated by my publisher for a Pulitzer Prize.
Let me help you.
I'm an award-winning mystery writer and book doctor with twenty-eight years' experience--the good, the bad, and the really ugly. I consider it my job to help others in the mystery/thriller genre turn their manuscripts into polished works that capture the imaginations of agents and publishers. I specialize in evaluation of complete manuscripts, content, character, story, and structure, and will do line editing and proofreading of some works. Among authors I've worked with are Ron Alvarez, the late Walter Satterthwait, and Ian Vasquez.
Not to brag, but of the frustrated writers I've worked with over the years, almost all who followed my suggestions found agents and publishers--one even got a three-book contract with a legacy house. My own first novel was nominated by my publisher for a Pulitzer Prize.
Let me help you.
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Non-Fiction
True Crime
Awards
- Polk Award, Clapper Award, Kennedy Award, eight-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, twice a finalist
Work experience
Editor/Author
Self-employed
August, 1993
–
Present
(almost 27 years)
I have been an investigative and projects journalist in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Detroit; Jackson, WY; and Tampa Bay, FL. I have lived in 10 states and D.C. I co-owned a national marketing company for 17 years. One of our specialties was helping would-be mystery and thriller writers turn their concepts and manuscripts into polished novels that would capture the imagination of agents and publishers. Our success rate was very high.
Investigative/prrojects journalist
AP, Cox Newspapers, Newsday, Booth Newspapers, Jackson Hole Guide, St. Petersburg Times
September, 1970
–
August, 2009
(almost 39 years)
I have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize eight times and twice was a finalist. One of the nominations was my first novel, MAXIMUM IMPACT. The other seven were for major investigative projects I produced for The Associated Press, Newsday, and the St. Petersburg Times.
Portfolio (5 selected works)
The Someday File (The Deuce Mora Series Book 1)
Jean Heller
DON’T MESS WITH THE MOB … UNLESS YOU’RE DEUCE MORA“Deuce … finds dead-ends and danger at every turn. Part journalism procedural, part character study, THE SOMEDAY FILE is a humdinger of a mystery, the first of a welcome new series.” -- Paul Levine, author of Bum RapDeuce Mora’s one tough cookie–-a female sleuth with a conscience and an attitude–-fiery, tough, athletic, a dirty fighter when she... read more
DEUCE MORA DOESN’T SHY AWAY FROM FIGHTS – SHE PICKS THEM. THE BIGGER THE BETTER.Although, to be fair, this one is brought to her by a dog with a bone in his teeth. In Jean Heller’s first Deuce Mora mystery, the scrappy female sleuth tangled with the mob; this time out she’s on the wrong side of the NSA, the FBI and the CIA. At a minimum. Fans of hard-boiled female protagonists should hang onto... read more
Burning Rage (The Deuce Mora Series Book 3)
Jean Heller
MOTIVE: POSSIBLE TERRORISM. M.O.: ARSON. TARGET: CHICAGO; ALL OF IT.It’s already been a rough year for the Chicago Journal’s first-rate journalistic sleuth, Deuce Mora. After two agonizing investigations – one of which won her a Pulitzer Prize, the other of which forced her to kill a man – she claims she’s sworn off action-packed chases that cause nightmares. Still…from the moment she hears th... read more
Ill Wind (The Deuce Mora Series Book 4)
Jean Heller
POE MEETS PUZO – THE WORLD’SFIRST LOCKED-ROOM MOB MYSTERY!Hard-hitting veteran reporter Deuce Mora is awakened in the pre-dawn hours and called to the scene of a gruesome hanging to identify the body of a dear friend, an FBI agent on the verge of taking down one of Chicago’s biggest Mob operations. Deuce knows it’s murder, but the authorities have no choice but to call it a suicide – the death... read more
Maximum Impact
Jean Heller
GROUND CONTROL MEETS ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN A Pulitzer Prize NomineeThree hundred thirty-three fatalities and no survivors. So begins Pulitzer Prize finalist Jean Heller’s chilling hard-boiled saga, as a flight crashes on takeoff when one of its engines explodes in midair. After that, it’s a toss-up—you may or may not be able to catch your breath as the thriller loops and careens to a twisty ... read more
Explore the Reedsy Community
Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.
David Haviland
Bestselling, award-winning publisher, editor, and author of 6 books, for Harper, Penguin, Little Brown, etc. Handle fiction and non-fiction.
Brighton, UK
Ben LeRoy
Freelance editor specializing in literary & crime fiction. 15+ years experience running two critically acclaimed publishing companies.
