Latoya C. Smith

Latoya C. Smith – Editor

NYT and USAToday bestselling editor with almost two decades of experience; Instructor; Literary Agent; Writer; CEO

Overview

Latoya C. Smith started her editorial career as an administrative assistant to New York Times bestselling author, Teri Woods at Teri Woods Publishing while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree at Temple University. She graduated Cum Laude from Temple in August of 2005. She then attained a full-time position at Kensington Publishing in March of 2006. In October 2006, Latoya joined Grand Central Publishing, an imprint at Hachette Book Group. For the span of her eight years there, Latoya acquired a variety of titles from Hardcover fiction and non-fiction, to digital romance and erotica. She was featured in Publishers Weekly, Forbes and USA Today, as well as on various author, book conference, and book blogger websites. In early 2014, she appeared on CSpan2 where she contributed to a panel discussing the state of book publishing. From August 2014 to February 2016, Latoya was Executive Editor at Samhain Publishing where she acquired short and long-form romance and erotic fiction. She is the winner of the 2012 RWA Golden Apple for Editor of the Year, 2017 Golden Apple for Agent of the Year, and the 2017 Literary Jewels Award for Editor of the Year. Latoya provides editorial services and literary representation through her company, LCS Literary Services.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Inspirational Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction Mystery & Crime Romance Science Fiction Short Story Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • 2014 RITA Best First Book, The Sweet Spot, Laura Drake
  • 2014 RITA Best Multicultural, The Choir Director 2, Carl Weber
  • 2012 RWA Golden Apple, Editor of the Year
Certifications
  • B.A. in Journalism, Temple University, 2005
  • Media Bistro, New York, NY, Facebook Marketing Course
  • Media Bistro, New York, NY, Copyediting Course
  • New York University, Publishing Program: Manuscript Editing Course

Work experience

Self-employed

Feb, 2016 — Present

- Developmental/content editing, line editing, copyediting and proofreading for authors and online magazines.
- Offer consultations to authors throughout all stages of their writing careers, including assistance with branding and promotional campaigns.
- Travel nationally to teach workshops on writing, publishing, and branding.
- Offer mentorship to those seeking employment in print and online media.

Samhain Publishing

Aug, 2014 — Feb, 2016 (over 1 year)

Grand Central Publishing / Forever - Hachette Book Group

Sep, 2011 — Aug, 2014 (almost 3 years)

Grand Central Publishing / Forever - Hachette Book Group

Dec, 2009 — Sep, 2011 (almost 2 years)

Grand Central Publishing / Forever - Hachette Book Group

Oct, 2006 — Dec, 2011 (about 5 years)

Teri Woods Publishing

May, 2002 — Aug, 2005 (over 3 years)

Portfolio

***Now available, too! IT'S A FUGLY LIFE, Book #2 and a Standalone Continuation of FUGLY, a USA Today Bestseller***UGLY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER...My name is Lily Snow. I am twenty-five years old, and despite being born with an unattractive face, I have n... read more
Norse Series Book 2Survival’s in his bloodRough-souled Brandr’s ready for a new life far from Uppsala, but he can’t stop thinking of a certain flame-haired thrall named Sestra who gets under his skin. Before he leaves for good, the Viking has one final task —P... read more
From Book 1: A DARK FANTASY FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFFA USA TODAY BESTSELLER!"I am the man who can find anything or anyone. For a price. And my price is you."When Mia Turner's brother goes missing in Mexico, while on an archaeological ... read more
Thuggz Valentine

Wahida Clark

This is the first Street Lit book to be written in reverse! Thuggz Valentine is the story of a modern day Bonnie & Clyde, natural born killers who go out in a blaze of glory after taking on the city s police force. Step by step, readers relive Ebony and Bless ... read more
The Practice Wife

Marissa Monteilh

A Practice Wife is defined as; a woman who a man dates right before he settles down with someone else, and Misha London has had three exes, who within months of breaking up with her, got married. Misha, the only daughter of religious parents, cleaned up Carson... read more
This Christmas novella is set in charming, Sanctuary Cove featuring popular characters from Rochelle Alers' bestselling small-town, Cavanaugh Island contemporary romance series. Love is always in season. There's no place like home for the holidays, especially ... read more
Soft is the New Power What if everything you thought you understood about communicating with men was wrong? Would you be willing to re-calibrate your thinking to possess the love and life you desire? From the creator of the Man Whisperer Multimedia Series come... read more
Twelve lessons for success from Coach Ken Carter as portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson in the hit movie Coach Carter.From learning about the quality of one's character to the love of learning-as well as the importance of self-discipline and spirituality-Coach Cart... read more
The Man in 3B

Carl Weber

Daryl Graham has just moved into a Jamaica, Queens, apartment building and his neighbors, both male and female alike, can't stop talking about him. From his extreme attractiveness to his undeniable swag, Daryl is the man every woman wants and every man wants t... read more
He pushes her sexual boundaries . . .From the moment waitress Karina meets him in a New York bar, she knows James is different. Daring. Dominating. Though he hides his true identity from her, the mysterious, wealthy businessman anticipates her every desire and... read more
A Love as Big as Texas . . . Charla Rae Denny was the perfect wife with a perfect life, content to keep the home fires burning while her husband, JB, competed as a champion bull rider. Then their son died in a tragic accident-and everything fell apart. Divorce... read more
An unexpected love in a small, Southern town.Migrations of the Heart, Book 1After fifteen months of hiding from the shame of bearing an illegitimate child, two words drive Ruby Bledsoe to face the good citizens of Winslow, Georgia. Never again. She vows to spe... read more

Latoya C. has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Alicia D.

Alicia D.

Nov, 2017

Working with Latoya was the right move for me to move my book forward. I’ve had some tough love from editors in the past but she was able to communicate what I was specifically missing and gave me ideas on how to fix it. I appreciate her attention to detail and her enthusiasm for her work. I am still getting my first novel together, but I feel like this award-winning editor (she’s won two Golde...
Read more

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