Lauren Hughes - Editor
London, United Kingdom
Recovering New Yorker and former Big 5 literary editor currently working with aspiring writers from London, England.
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Overview
A "Big 5" vetted and tested literary editor who does not like speaking in the third person about herself.
After several years of working as an Editor in New York City publishing, I am now a full-time freelancer living and working out of London, England (though I am originally from Atlanta, GA, an important bit of personal trivia, I think, as I find that my Southern verve and congeniality makes me a gentle, but firm, critic with a compassionate bedside - or deskside, as it were - manner).
In addition to my accomplishments in publishing, I am also an experienced copywriter and have written for and about luxury fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment brands ranging from MTV Networks to Keds shoes. I say this because I want you to know that I know how tough it is to craft the perfect sentence full of wit, feeling, and meaning, and I, above all, love working with clients to help them achieve just the right pitch and tone in their own projects.
My experience in New York publishing means that I'm equipped to handle just about anything you want to throw at me and at breakneck speeds, too (including, but not limited to, unjamming your printer in record time). All jokes aside, I've worked with phenomenally talented editors and writers (and I'm not the only one who thinks so - they've won incredible literary 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, upmarket women's fiction, and creative, genre-bending memoir. I love bold female protagonists, and character-driven plots.
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 all about the project you think would be a great fit for us to work together on!
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Literature
Short Story
Women's Fiction
Certifications
- B.A. in Communication Studies, University of Georgia
- M.A. in Creative and Life Writing, Goldsmiths, University of London
Work experience
Writer and Editor
Self-employed
June, 2014
–
Present
(over 4 years)
Copywriter, ghostwriter, and editor all rolled into one, working primarily in web content, developmental editing, content editing, and editorial assessment for brands and individuals alike. With an emphasis on good storytelling no matter the medium, recent clients include luxury fashion and lifestyle brands, as well as individual fiction and non-fiction authors pursuing both traditional and non-traditional publishing routes who wish to further develop and strengthen their own unique voices and stories.
Assistant Editor
Scribner
August, 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 Melton, 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.
Assistant Editor
Weinstein Books
February, 2013
–
August, 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 (5 selected works)
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-old Ruthie Carmichael and her mother, Rita, life has never been stable. The only sure thing is their love for each other. Though Rita w... 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 spends his nights meticulously cataloging her hair, clothing, and other traces of the life she left behind. By day, Bobby and his best frie... read more
The Hilltop: A Novel
Assaf Gavron
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 hilltop stands Ma’aleh Hermesh C, a fledgling community flying under the radar. According to the government it doesn’t exist; according to... 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 Afghanistan, killing everyone on board. In that instant, machine gunner Caleb Daniels lost his best friend, Kip, and seven members of his unit... read more
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 to loss, hope, and survival. Sean Strub, founder of the groundbreaking POZ magazine, producer of the hit play The Night Larry Kramer Kiss... read more
Lauren has 9 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Communication
I struck gold with Lauren. I asked for a full assessment of my novel am delighted to have found such an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, critical, well-read and articulate editor, able to see the big picture but also point out very specific points which need to be addressed. I definitely feel like we are on the same page and that she has taken the time to get to the heart of my novel and its themes...
Read moreAnne McMillan, September 2018
I came to Lauren with my manuscript, seeking feedback before one last push on the final edit. Specifically, I wanted to make sure the story worked--was there anything major I needed to do before querying? Lauren gave me the exact insight I requested. She suggested moving a plot point to make the story tighter and also she gave me excellent feedback for more elements that a publisher would requi...
Read moreKatie Weinberger, August 2018
Working with Lauren was amazing. Her comments and suggestions for improving everything from the plot to the characters were insightful, practical and always delivered with a huge dose of encouragement. Some background: I had finished a full length fiction manuscript and heard back from a few agents who thought it was good but not great. I was (and still am) sure that I want to go the traditio...
Read moreAmita P, May 2018
Lauren is an insightful, constructive, and brilliant editor. Beside the fact she is a pleasure to work with, she's current and "hip" with the market and world we work in. Wonderful.
Read moreP.H. Fisher, March 2018
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