Lauren Hughes

Lauren Hughes – Editor

Editor, previously of the Big 5, guiding writers to 6-figure deals in the US and UK. Keen eye for narrative potential and standout debuts.

Overview

Since 2014, and after stints in both New York and London, I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with writers who seek to elevate their work to the level required by traditional publishing as a full-time freelancer. I now live in Atlanta, Georgia and work with writers seeking publication in the US and the UK. Writers I have worked with have gone on to be represented by major agencies in both the US and UK, as well as publish via the Big 5 with multi-book, six-figure deals.


As a writer I know how tough it is to craft the perfect sentence full of wit, feeling, and meaning. I love working with clients to help them achieve just the right pitch and tone in their own projects. I also know what it feels like to send your work out into the world to be read and critiqued by others. I pride myself on my active listening and thorough communication. In our work together I endeavor, above all, to hear what you aim to achieve through your writing and translate it into actionable editorial steps informed by my understanding of the marketplace.


I've worked with phenomenally talented editors and writers (and I'm not the only one who thinks so - they've won incredible awards and recognitions ranging from NYT Notable Books to Pulitzer Prizes), so I've learned from the best of the best when it comes to crafting the perfect story. I'm most interested in literary fiction and upmarket women's fiction. I love bold (and often 'unlikeable') female protagonists, character-driven plots, and families-with-secrets novels.


I decided to begin freelancing full-time because I wanted to focus more on doing what I'm best at and love the most - telling good stories and helping writers, one-to-one, develop and strengthen their own unique voices. I'd love to do the same with you and look forward to hearing about your project!

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • B.A. in Communication Studies, University of Georgia
  • M.A. in Creative and Life Writing, Goldsmiths, University of London

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2014 — Present
Editor working primarily with novelists seeking traditional publication who wish to further develop and strengthen their work for maximum possible success in the marketplace. Services include editorial assessment, full developmental edit, query package review, and coaching. Writers I have worked with have gone on to receive offers of representation from major agencies in the both the US and UK, as well as publish via the Big 5.

Scribner

Aug, 2013 — May, 2014 (9 months)
Assistant to several award-winning editors at Scribner (an imprint of Simon and Schuster), working primarily on literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, and upmarket fiction titles such as MOBILE LIBRARY by Betty Trask Prize winner David Whitehouse, ALL WE HAD by acclaimed sculptor Annie Weatherwax, THE HILLTOP by Bernstein Prize winner Assaf Gavron, BODY COUNTS by Lambda Literary Award finalist Sean Strub, and the NYT Notable Book DEMON CAMP by Jennifer Percy. Titles worked on in an ancillary capacity include NYT Bestseller and recipient of the Books for a Better Life Award CARRY ON, WARRIOR by Glennon Doyle, NYT Bestseller and Pulitzer Prize recipient ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doerr, NYT Bestseller NORA WEBSTER by Colm Toibin, and NYT Bestseller THE FIRST BAD MAN by Miranda July.

Weinstein Books

Feb, 2013 — Aug, 2013 (6 months)
Sole support editorial staff to Editorial Director at Weinstein Books (a joint venture between The Weinstein Company and Perseus Books Group), working primarily on platform-driven fiction and non-fiction titles such as THE BLONDE by NYT Bestselling Author Anna Godbersen, KATE: THE FUTURE QUEEN by the Mail on Sunday's Royal Correspondent Katie Nicholl, and OBSESSED by NYT Bestselling Author and msnbc Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski.

Portfolio

The Midnight Carousel

Fiza Saeed McLynn

Michael Joseph

Life Close to the Bone

Spake, Michael

Penning the American South

The Circus Train

Parikh, Amita

Sean Strub, founder of the groundbreaking POZ magazine, producer of the hit play “The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me,” and the first openly HIV-positive candidate for US Congress, charts his remarkable life—a story of politics and AIDS and a powerful testament t... read more
A “chilling” (O, The Oprah Magazine), “darkly brilliant” (Bookforum) account of “the effects of war on the psyches of the soldiers who fight” (Esquire).In 2005 a Chinook helicopter carrying sixteen Special Ops soldiers crashed during a rescue mission in Afghan... read more
Hailed as “The Great Israeli Novel” (Time Out Tel Aviv) and winner of the prestigious Bernstein Prize, The Hilltop is a monumental and daring work about life in a West Bank settlement from one of Israel’s most acclaimed young novelists.On a rocky, beautiful hi... read more
Mobile Library: A Novel

David Whitehouse

From the award-winning novelist David Whitehouse, hailed by The New York Times as “a writer to watch,” a tragicomic adventure about a troubled adolescent boy who escapes his small town in a stolen library-on-wheels.“An archivist of his mother,” Bobby Nusku spe... read more
All We Had: A Novel

Annie Weatherwax

The stunning debut novel from sculptor and painter Annie Weatherwax, a wry and sharply observed portrait of a gritty mother and daughter, living on the edge of poverty, who find an unlikely home amid the quirky residents of small town America.For thirteen-year... read more

Lauren has 82 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Connor S.

Connor S.

May, 2025

Lauren was exceptional to work with. She collaborated with me to make sure I was getting what I needed from this and showed nothing but respect and consideration throughout the process. Not only was her feedback timely, it was reasonable, specific, achievable, and always written in a way that pro...
Read more
Matthew M.

Matthew M.

Apr, 2025

Working with Lauren Hughes on a developmental edit of my novel was a real treat! Here are a few reasons. First, she approached her work as a collaborative partnership that was tailored specifically to my writing and publishing goals. Second, Lauren was a generous reader; her assessment treated...
Read more
Kavitha G.

Kavitha G.

Apr, 2025

Lauren was a thorough professional. She was a pleasure to work with and brought her A game to the assessment of my fiction manuscript's second draft. I am a new writer so didn't know what to expect so some of my comments below may be explained by my entering a new space. I would highly recommend ...
Read more
Karl K.

Karl K.

Mar, 2025

Lauren effortlessly solved a problem in my story and gave me constructive feedback on how to best develop the rest of it. She has extensive knowledge of the mechanics of writing and an advanced awareness of what the current market wants.
pete F.

pete F.

Mar, 2025

Lauren wrote an incredibly thorough report. It was evident that she put in much time to dissect my manuscript and she provided great feedback. 10/10 would recommend! 😊

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Lauren and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Lauren

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Elinor Davies

Elinor D.

Enthusiastic and supportive editor and author mentor. Previously Associate Literary Agent at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency.

London, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Ken Salikof

Ken S.

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

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Anne Brewer

Anne B.

Former senior editor with 10 years' experience at traditional and indie publishers. Specializing in mystery, historical, and WF.

New York, NY, USA

95% reply rate

View profile