Ken Salikof

Ken Salikof – Editor

Experienced ms. editor who has worked with NYT bestselling authors of thrillers and romance. I'm also a published author and ghostwriter.

Overview

In my writing career, I have worn many hats. I have been an award-winning screenwriter, and a studio reader for Parmount, Disney, 20th Century-Fox, Warner Bros., Scott Rudin and the William Morris Agency. I am a published author and a ghostwriter. I have edited novels by New York Times bestselling authors. I am a book reviewer and have interviewed authors, actors and other famous people for the New York Daily News, Newsweek and New York magazine.

I have found that all these other forms of writing inform my abilities as a manuscript editor. Working as a studio reader taught me how to evaluate manuscripts. Being a book reviewer and interviewer keeps me up to date on the latest publishing trends and allows me to tap into the wisdom of other writers. And being a published author enables me to come up with solutions as well as point out problem areas in manuscripts. Editing novels by bestselling authors has sharpened my skills for working with neophyte writers.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Historical Fiction Horror Legal Thriller Literary Fiction Psychological Thriller Romance Technothriller
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Best Original Screenplay, Westchester Film Festival

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 1998 — Present

I offer developmental editing, manuscript evaluation and help with crafting that perfect query letter.

Self-employed

Mar, 1998 — Present

Portfolio

Best Friend for Hire: A Novel

Mary Mary Carlomagno

Jersey Girl Jessie DeSalvo has her dream job at one of New York’s top publishing companies. After ten years of hard work the day of her big promotion has arrived. Unfortunately, her company has other ideas. Instead of a corner office, Jessie is handed her pink... read more
[Scandalocity] [Author: Felske, Coerte V.W.] [May, 2010]

Coerte V.W. Felske

Loaded (The Callaway Wilde Series Book 1)

Shari Shattuck

Los Angeles heiress Callaway Wilde has beauty, brains, and too many beaus, but her money comes with at a price, loneliness. When someone tries to kill her, LAPD detective Evan Paley must help her find out why before they try again, and before he and Callaway c... read more
Spy in a Little Black Dress

Maxine Kenneth

Inspired by an actual letter in the John F. Kennedy Library written by Jackie and revealing her job offer from the newly formed CIAWhen young Jackie Bouvier receives her second assignment from the CIA, she knows it will go better than her first. She managed to... read more
Paris to Die For

Maxine Kenneth

Inspired by an actual letter in the John F. Kennedy Library written by Jackie and revealing her job offer from the newly formed CIAYoung Jacqueline Bouvier's first CIA assignment was supposed to be simple: Meet with a high-ranking Russian while he's in Paris a... read more
Goodnight Nobody: A Novel

Jennifer Weiner

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner's newest novel tells the story of a young mother's move to a postcard-perfect Connecticut town and the secrets she uncovers there. For Kate Klein, a semi-accidental mother of three, suburbia's been full of unpl... read more
The Intelligencer

Leslie Silbert

On May 30, 1593, London's most popular playwright was stabbed to death. The royal coroner ruled that Christopher Marlowe was killed in self-defense, but historians have long suspected otherwise, given his role as an "intelligencer" in the queen's secret servic... read more
Help for the Haunted: A Novel (P.S.)

John Searles

John Searles’s Help for the Haunted is an unforgettable story of a most unusual family, their deep secrets, their harrowing tragedy, and ultimately, a daughter’s discovery of a dark and unexpected mystery.Sylvie Mason’s parents have an unusual occupation—helpi... read more

Ken has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Gregory H.

Gregory H.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
Ken tells it like it is. And that's what I like about him. He gave me some valuable criticisms about my work, which I appreciate, and let me know what parts of my book he found interesting. My book was not what he expected; however, he gave me what I expected, which was his professional opinion. I will definitely keep his suggestions in mind as I continue to write and self-publish my series of ...
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Vicki W.

Vicki W.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
My experience working with Ken was rewarding and refreshing. He was timely in meeting goals, and our Zoom meeting was productive. He provided excellent insights into how my manuscript could be better, especially in my introductory pages. I knew those pages needed help, and he pinpointed exactly what I needed. Going forward I'm excited and hopeful that his suggestions will make all the differen...
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Travell D.

Travell D.

Sep, 2021

Pinned
Ken was an absolute necessity for my project. He is a professional in every way and really knows how to exert his talents. I will definitely work with him in the future and highly recommend any intellectual to do the same.
Harry K.

Harry K.

Sep, 2024

Ken is a consummate professional, who has laboriously taken the additional time to fully scrutinize my project and improve it immeasurably. His impeccable insight makes him an invaluable resource. He offers concrete suggestions that are both fitting and practical, and is fair and balanced in his appraisal of submitted works. He is honest and straightforward in his collaboration, and is easy ...
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Suze S.

Suze S.

Sep, 2024

Ken was amazing in cutting to the heart of what my manuscript needed and it’s so much better. His knowledge of the industry made him the perfect conduit for getting my book published.

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