Joseph Nassise - Editor
I'm a New York Times bestselling author/editor specializing in genre fiction
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Overview
I have two decades of experience in the publishing industry, having worked with traditional and independent authors alike on a wide variety of projects. I focus primarily on genre fiction, particularly fantasy (especially urban fantasy), horror, science fiction, and paranormal romance, but am open to other types of fiction and non-fiction.
Publishers I’ve worked with include HarperVoyager, Tor Books, Gallery, Simon & Schuster and others. Individual authors I’ve worked with include Kelley Armstrong, Seanan McGuire, Christopher Golden, Caitlin Kittredge, Carrie Vaughn, Kevin Hearne, Jonathan Maberry, Diana Rowland, Stephen Blackmoore, Jeff Somers, CE Murphy, Kat Richardson, Lilith Saintcrow, Annie Bellet, Pippa DaCosta, Domino Finn, Sam Witt, Larry Correia, Jaye Wells, Steven Savile, and hundreds more.
Some thoughts from my clients --
“In the last one year, Joe and I have seen my novel grow from a fledgling to a finished product. He helped me understand novel basics: character arc, story arc, plot points, character drive, and the importance of layering and subplots. More than that, he helped me recognize the plot loopholes, why some things worked and others didn't, and, most important, why I should keep believing in my vision, which, I think, is the biggest thing a newbie writer wants.
Publishing is a strange world. Maneuvering it alone without friends or mentors is nearly impossible, or, if not impossible, years-consuming. Takes a long time to figure this thing out. And that was Nassise's greatest strength. He was both a mentor and a friend. We didn't just stop with novel completion, we talked about querying, synopsi, pitches, approaching agents etc. He encouraged me to believe that I, too, could become a mainstream writer. Exactly one year later, I have three agent offers for my manuscript, all with decent publishing houses. Had it not been for him, my current reality might have been quite different.”
--- Bram Stoker award winner Usman T. Malik
“Joe Nassise was an invaluable resource in writing my first novel, HELLFIRE. As a first time novelist, I had questions, problems, and uncertainties. Joe walked a delicate tightrope by helped with all of these, while making sure the story and writing were my own. Joe is not only an extraordinary coach, but also a genuinely good person and a pleasure to work with. His coaching is a great value; I plan to take advantage of his help again. “
--- Rickard B. DeMille, author of Hellfire
“Working with Joe (Nassise) helped me rediscover the writer’s voice I thought I had lost from years of being in a different industry. He was also correct in convincing me that my voice and style is marketable ... I have the cheques now to prove it!”
--- Ken Lillie-Paetz, author of the Elsinore comics
“I’ve sat through many writing workshops — Joe Nassise eclipsed them all. He is extremely professional, experienced and easy to work with. His insight has been truly invaluable.”
--- Alex MacLean, author of Grave Situation
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Anthologies
Fantasy
Horror
Paranormal Romance
Urban Fantasy
Awards
- 3x Nominee for the Bram Stoker Award
- Nominated for the International Horror Guild Award
Work experience
Freelance editor and writing coach
Self-employed
August, 2005
–
Present
(about 16 years)
I've been providing freelance editing and writing coach services since 2005, working with a wide variety of genre writers. While my specialization is urban fantasy and paranormal romance, I have experience editing everything from science fiction and fantasy to thrillers and crime fiction.
Writer
Simon & Schuster, Tor Books, Harper Voyager, Gallery and more
October, 2002
–
Present
(about 19 years)
I'm a New York Times, USA Today and Der Spiegel bestselling writer of urban fantasy with more than 40 novels to my credit, including the internationally bestselling TEMPLAR CHRONICLES series, the JEREMIAH HUNT trilogy, and the GREAT UNDEAD WAR series. My work has been nominated for both the Bram Stoker Award and the International Horror Guild Award and been translated into half a dozen languages to date. I have written for both the comic and role-playing game industries and also served two terms as president of the Horror Writers Association, the world’s largest organization of professional horror and dark fantasy writers.
Portfolio (10 selected works)
Nominated for the 2015 Bram Stoker Award for Best Anthology!An all-original horror anthology set in the world of Clive Barker's cult film masterpiece, Nightbreed, and including stories by Seanan McGuire, Amber Benson, Karl Alexander, Nancy Holder, and more!Clive Barker's Nightbreed has been controversial since the moment it was released in a version edited by the studio and roundly condemned b... read more
Urban Allies: Ten Brand-New Collaborative Stories
Joseph Nassise
In this impressive anthology, twenty of today’s hottest urban fantasy writers—including Charlaine Harris, Jonathan Maberry, Kelley Armstrong, Seanan Mcguire, and C. E. Murphy—pair together to write ten original stories featuring their favorite series characters.Worlds collide when two different urban fantasy series meet in each of the ten electrifying stories in this collaborative project, fea... read more
Urban Enemies
Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Kelley Armstrong, Jonathan Maberry, Jeff Somers
Villains have all the fun—everyone knows that—and this anthology takes you on a wild ride through the dark side! The top villains from seventeen urban fantasy series get their own stories—including the baddies of New York Times bestselling authors Jim Butcher, Kevin Hearne, Kelley Armstrong, Seanan McGuire, and Jonathan Maberry.For every hero trying to save the world, there’s a villain trying ... read more
The Circle Gathers (Veil Knights) (Volume 1)
Rowan Casey
Not all legends are make-believe… Three years ago, Jessie “the Berserker” Noble was at the top of the MMA fight game, a world-title contender with a brilliant future ahead of her. Then the visions started and her world came crashing down. Hard. Now Jessie’s a shadow of her former self, taking no-holds barred fights in the underground circuit to earn just enough to buy the drugs she needs to ke... read more
Lord of Misrule: Ritual (Volume One)
J.S. Hope
From New York Times and USA Today bestseller J.S. Hope comes a brand five-part tale of passion and intrigue!Reporter Alessandra “Alex” Donati is in Venice chasing the story of her career. While the city prepares for the Christmas festivities, Alex is hot on the trail of a group that celebrates a much older – and much darker – festival, one that offers sex and sacrifice in exchange for power an... read more
A sacred relic. A forbidden quest. An elite, secret order stands between mankind and the forces of darkness. An ancient artifact promises ultimate power that a malevolent sect of necromancers will do anything to possess. Only former Boston Special Tactics and Operations officer Cade Williams, head of a clandestine crisis squad, can take down the forces of evil. His crew, the Echo Team, must st... read more
“This book was amazing. I honestly didn't want to put it down.” – Sharon ★★★★★ ”The Night Firm is such a fun concept. Vampire lawyers who represent other supes in criminal defense” – SeeAmberRead ★★★★★”The Night brothers...... hot hot hot.....” – Melodie Luckett ★★★★★For fans of A Shade of Vampire, Vampire Girl, Don’t Rush Me, The Lost and the Chosen, and All the Pretty Monsters. From USA Toda... read more
Scorned by her family. Banished by her kind. Hunted by zealots.Where does an exiled Fairy Queen hide?A remote mountain cabin, the seedy underbelly of a metropolis, or an uninhabited island. All would be good choices, however, after hundreds of years on the run, the daughter of Oberon, King of the Wild Fairies, signs a binding contract with the zealots that hunt her. In exchange, they allow her... read more
'Ty Patterson's thrillers should come with a health warning: Highly Addictive!'BETH AND MEGHAN PETERSEN ARE HIRED BY BILLIONAIRE COLE PATTEN WITH A SIMPLE REQUEST. 'I AM MISSING. FIND ME!'If Cole Patten isn't who the world thinks he is, just who is the billionaire? The search for answers take Beth and Meghan Petersen to a world of global conspiracy where they find that the past doesn't yield i... read more
Tower of the Forgotten: A Tainted Cabal Prequel Novella
Mitchell Hogan
This is a standalone novella of 16,500 words set before the events of Revenant Winds.From Mitchell Hogan — Aurealis Award winner and author of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence.Niklaus, master swordsman, has not aged a day since being chosen by his mercurial goddess. A slave to her will, he moves from one cryptic mission to the next in the hope of ascending to become her equal.But even a man who ... read more
Joseph has 9 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I had been very nervous about hiring an editor for my first novel, Joseph gave me an extremely detailed response and I feel that I can make the book that I want to now that I know where I need to improve. I can't suggest a better person to assist you on your journey.
Allen Riddle, June 2021
Joe Nassise is a working writer who has many novels in print. Working on both theoretical and practical issues, he provides concrete recommendations while still respecting the author’s goals. In the end, I agreed with every one of his recommendations. I’d happily work with him again.
Dan Brehm, June 2021
Seems like a professional guy.
Andrew Waters, May 2021
Working with Joseph has been wonderful! He provided a punctual, detailed, thoughtful, and educational analysis of plot & character elements that will help me not only revise this book but also plan and draft future books. He was also terrific about answering questions and helping nudge me down the right path. I'm so glad I hired him and look forward to working with him on future projects.
Lori Drake, March 2021
As a new writer, I knew my book needed direction but didn't know where to begin. Joseph provided the professional and unbiased feedback that I needed to take my writing to the next level. His analysis was very thorough and will help me not only with this book but on any future projects I may take on.
Joseph was communicative during the entire process and completed the edit during the time per...
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Jennifer Mittler-Lee, December 2020
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