Kara Rota

Kara Rota – Editor

Former executive editor and literary agent with over 15 years experience editing narrative nonfiction, memoir, prescriptive, fiction & more

Overview

As a longtime editor with both big 5 publisher and indie press experience, I've edited everything from fiction (YA and fantasy) to oral histories, with significant experience in narrative nonfiction, cookbooks, pop culture, mind/body/spirit, YA and MG nonfiction. I'm well versed in working on manuscripts from the developmental level to line edits, and I love working with debut authors and demystifying the publishing process.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Children’s Non-Fiction Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Entertainment New Age Parenting & Families Sociology True Crime
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Thompson Literary Agency

Apr, 2024 — Present

Chicago Review Press

Jun, 2019 — Aug, 2023 (about 4 years)

Macmillan

Dec, 2017 — Jun, 2019 (over 1 year)

Macmillan

Dec, 2014 — Dec, 2017 (about 3 years)

Portfolio

Word Witch: How to Call Upon and Cultivate the Creative Magic Within You

Belew, Kate

Balance

A Woman's Place Is in the Brewhouse: A Forgotten History of Alewives, Brewsters, Witches, and CEOs

Nurin, Tara

Top Eight: How MySpace Changed Music

Tedder, Michael

Bing and Billie and Frank and Ella and Judy and Barbra

Callahan, Dan

Homesick: Why Housing Is Unaffordable and How We Can Change It

O'Brien, Brendan

A Light in the Dark: Surviving More than Ted Bundy

Kleiner Rubin, Kathy

Boys Enter the House: The Victims of John Wayne Gacy and the Lives They Left Behind

Nelson, David

Have a Little Faith: The John Hiatt Story

Elliott, Michael

Nightfly: The Life of Steely Dan's Donald Fagen

Jones, Peter

Out in L.A.: The Red Hot Chili Peppers, 1983

Duncan, Hamish

You're the Only One I've Told: The Stories Behind Abortion

Shah, Meera

Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Can Set Us Free

Wade, Sabia

Brujas: The Magic and Power of Witches of Color

Monteagut Ph.D., Lorraine

The Moon Book: Lunar Magic to Change Your Life

Gottesdiener, Sarah Faith

Animal Allies: 15 Amazing Women in Wildlife Research (4) (Women of Power)

Pagel-Hogan, Elizabeth

Power Hungry: Women of the Black Panther Party and Freedom Summer and Their Fight to Feed a Movement

Cope, Suzanne

She's Unlikeable: And Other Lies That Bring Women Down

Shewakramani, Aparna

The Prairie Homestead Cookbook: Simple Recipes for Heritage Cooking in Any Kitchen

Winger, Jill

Bottom of the Pot: Persian Recipes and Stories

Deravian, Naz

Nora Ephron: A Biography

Doidge, Kristin Marguerite

Both Sides of the Fire Line: Memoir of a Transgender Firefighter

Scopa, Bobbie

Girl Warriors: How 25 Young Activists Are Saving the Earth

Sarah, Rachel

Overdue: Reckoning with the Public Library

Oliver, Amanda

How to Date Men When You Hate Men

Roberson, Blythe

Kara has 6 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

William L.

William L.

Feb, 2026

Pinned
Kara provided thoughtful, high-quality feedback with real editorial insight. She was professional and clear throughout the project, and her notes were constructive and actionable—not just opinions, but guidance I could apply immediately. She elevated the manuscript while retaining my voice, which...
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Andrew C.

Andrew C.

Jan, 2026

Pinned
Working with Kara on my manuscript has been transformative. After years of writing, I came to her for a developmental edit to move forward with confidence. Kara didn't just identify technical issues; she expanded my vision for the manuscript. She balanced specificity with sensitivity, offering c...
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Lamont N.

Lamont N.

Nov, 2025

Pinned
This was my first experience working with an editor. Until then, writing had always been a private pursuit, something I did quietly, for myself. After a few self-publishing efforts, I finally had a project I believed in deeply, one I hoped could reach a much wider audience. Kara’s feedback was s...
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Alexandria G.

Alexandria G.

Jun, 2026

The editing met expectations and I was pleased with the editor's feedback and suggestions!
Nancy D.

Nancy D.

Feb, 2026

I would have preferred more feedback, but I like to think my book was pretty good as it was! I found that all the editors' fees were higher than I had expected when I began looking for one to hire.

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