Jon Darga - Editor
I'm an agent at Aevitas and a former editor at Penguin Random House who's looking forward to helping you through any stage of your book.
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Overview
I'm an agent at Aevitas Creative Management and a former editor at Penguin Random House with experience editing across genres, from award-winning nonfiction (the revised and updated paperback for Sheri Fink's FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL; Holger Hoock's SCARS OF INDEPENDENCE; Damion Searls' THE INKBLOTS; Christian Di Spigna's FOUNDING MARTYR) to bestselling genre fiction (Krysten Ritter's BONFIRE) to celebrity memoir (Sarah McBride's TOMORROW WILL BE DIFFERENT) and poetry (Nico Tortorella's all of it is you.). You can find more details on the books I've edited below, and I'm happy to discuss or answer any questions about my involvement with them.
I'm here to help you develop your manuscript in any way that would be helpful, across any stage of development. I've provided longer editorial letters detailing a complete restructure and revision of a book. I've provided shorter editorial letters to accompany in-text comment bubbles about where character development or world-building could be fleshed out. I've done final passes of manuscripts making line-edits in track changes to make sure that the language is polished and sings. And everything in-between, including tweaking query letters and agent submissions. If you're unsure what stage your manuscript is in, I'd love to read it and have a conversation about what might best serve you and your manuscript.
Please note that my services as a freelance editor are separate from my day job -- that is, any project that I review or edit as a freelancer I cannot consider for representation in order to avoid any implied "pay for play." What I can do is give you an expert and insider perspective on how to optimize your manuscript or query materials to draw the attention of other agents!
I'm here to help you develop your manuscript in any way that would be helpful, across any stage of development. I've provided longer editorial letters detailing a complete restructure and revision of a book. I've provided shorter editorial letters to accompany in-text comment bubbles about where character development or world-building could be fleshed out. I've done final passes of manuscripts making line-edits in track changes to make sure that the language is polished and sings. And everything in-between, including tweaking query letters and agent submissions. If you're unsure what stage your manuscript is in, I'd love to read it and have a conversation about what might best serve you and your manuscript.
Please note that my services as a freelance editor are separate from my day job -- that is, any project that I review or edit as a freelancer I cannot consider for representation in order to avoid any implied "pay for play." What I can do is give you an expert and insider perspective on how to optimize your manuscript or query materials to draw the attention of other agents!
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Entertainment
History
LGBTQ Non-Fiction
Fiction
Fantasy
Literary Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Thriller & Suspense
Certifications
- Columbia Publishing Course (2014)
Awards
- Penguin Random House Recognition Award (2016 & 2018)
Work experience
Agent
Aevitas Creative Management
June, 2019
–
Present
(over 3 years)
Assistant Editor
Penguin Random House
February, 2015
–
May, 2019
(about 4 years)
•Acquire books for Crown, a division of Random House
•Edit manuscripts, providing feedback both macro (editorial letters) and micro (line-editing documents)
•Reach out to potential authors and collaborate to develop book ideas for publication
•Provide feedback on every stage of publication, from cover design to marketing and publicity plans
•Evaluate proposals and draft rejection letters, acquisitions materials and P&Ls
•Liaise between authors, agents and in-house departments
Assistant to Executive Director of Foreign Rights
The Park Literary Group (now Park & Fine Literary and Media)
September, 2014
–
February, 2015
(5 months)
•Evaluated submissions and manuscripts, providing rejection letters or editorial feedback as needed
• Wrote and edited pitches and copy
• Designed and compiled rights guides for book fairs
Portfolio (13 selected works)
La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World
Dianne Hales
From the New York Times bestselling author knighted by the President of Italy for her writing, a jubilant exploration of how Italy transformed the Western world's most vibrant passions -- from literature to art, music to movies. No country has matched Italy’s impact on culture. Just think of painting without Leonardo, opera without Verdi, fashion without Armani, food without the signature tast... read more
A rich and illuminating biography of America’s forgotten Founding Father, the patriot physician and major general who fomented rebellion and died heroically at the battle of Bunker Hill on the brink of revolutionLittle has been known of one of the most important figures in early American history, Dr. Joseph Warren, an architect of the colonial rebellion, and a man who might have led the countr... read more
"A brave, powerful memoir." —PEOPLEA captivating memoir that will change the way we look at identity and equality in this country Before she became the first transgender person to speak at a national political convention in 2016 at the age of twenty-six, Sarah McBride struggled with the decision to come out—not just to her family but to the students of American University, where she was servin... read more
all of it is you.: poetry
Nico Tortorella
A debut poetry collection from actor Nico Tortorella exploring “all of it,” from the smallest cells in our bodies to the outer limits of our universe. Nico Tortorella's debut poetry collection presents a singular voice honed through years as an actor, podcaster, and advocate, one colored with love, wonder, and endless curiosity. But it is also more than just words on a page – it is a sensuous ... read more
Bonfire: A Novel
Krysten Ritter
“A phenomenal, haunting debut.” —GILLIAN FLYNN, bestselling author of Gone Girl"I burned through Krysten Ritter's hugely accomplished debut. Bonfire is dark, disturbing, and compulsively readable."—RUTH WARE, bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10 Nothing burns as bright as the truth.It has been ten years since Abby Williams left home and scrubbed away all visible... read more
When celebrated neuropsychologist Paul Broks's wife died of cancer, it sparked a journey of grief and reflection that traced a lifelong attempt to understand how the brain gives rise to the soul. The result of that journey is a gorgeous, evocative meditation on fate, death, consciousness, and what it means to be human. The Darker the Night, The Brighter the Stars weaves a scientist’s understan... read more
Pulitzer Prize winner Sheri Fink’s landmark investigation of patient deaths at a New Orleans hospital ravaged by Hurricane Katrina – and her suspenseful portrayal of the quest for truth and justice.In the tradition of the best investigative journalism, physician and reporter Sheri Fink reconstructs 5 days at Memorial Medical Center and draws the reader into the lives of those who struggled mig... read more
An NPR Best Book of the YearA New York Post Best Book of the YearA Times Thought Book of the YearAn Irish Independent Best Book of the YearThe captivating, untold story of Hermann Rorschach and his famous inkblot test In 1917, working alone in a remote Swiss asylum, psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach devised an experiment to probe the human mind: a set of ten carefully designed inkblots. For years... read more
The powerful and affirming story of a father's journey with his teenage daughter to the far reaches of Alaska Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, home to only a handful of people, is a harsh and lonely place. So when James Campbell’s cousin Heimo Korth asked him to spend a summer building a cabin in the rugged Interior, Campbell hesitated about inviting his fifteen-year-old daughter, Aid... read more
The Freedom Writers Diary (20th Anniversary Edition): How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them
The Freedom Writers, Zlata Filipovic, Erin Gruwell
Jon has 74 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Jon is very receptive and gets back to you with questions in a very timely manner. This is my first professional review of my work so far. (My book is 120,000 words) Previously I've had beta readers and family with very little observations and too much praise. I am grateful for the honesty and critical assessment of my book. It's exactly what I needed. Jon offered sound advice that has made me ...
Read more
Frances Murray, September 2022
Just excellent.
brett hawk, August 2022
Jon was a big help with my query letter. I recommend him highly.
H. S. May, July 2022
Jon's advice has been the best consult to date I've had. The scope of my question was narrow, but his response was thoughtful and thorough. His prescription means more work which I think is actually a credit to his honesty - others suggested the shorter path, but he sees potential and wants me to reach rather than settle. Would hire again immediately.
Morgan Hatch, July 2022
Jon gave crisp, high-value feedback at both a macro level (a response to my question of the largest headwind the manuscript would face when querying) and granular line edits. Responsive, honest, and quite helpful! Would recommend
Miles McCarthy, June 2022
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