Lauren Hummel

Lauren Hummel – Editor

Collaborative former Big 5 editor specializing in biography/memoir, mind/body/spirit, self-help, and women's fiction. Let's work together!

Overview

Are you a writer in search of a seasoned and collaborative editor to help you evaluate, elevate, or refine your work? If so, then I may be your gal!


In my 6+ years working as an editor at Simon & Schuster and Hachette, I assisted novelists, poets, journalists, academics, celebrities, athletes, politicians, activists, influencers/bloggers, and artists on titles that spanned the categories of biography/memoir, self-help, current events, mind/body/spirit, business, pop culture, humor, poetry, and women's fiction. It was during this time that I truly honed my editorial skill set and became adept at working with writers to bring their literary visions to life. I'm proud to say that several of the titles I worked on went on to become New York Times bestsellers and receive rave reviews from publications such as The Washington Post, People, Buzzfeed, W, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews.


As an editor, my goal is to partner with you to craft the most polished and compelling narrative possible while preserving—and showcasing—your unique voice, so whether you have a rough draft that needs developmental editing, a full manuscript that needs copyediting, or a query letter that could use an expert set of eyes, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.


My services include editorial assessment, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. I'm intimately familiar with The Chicago Manual of Style and the AP Stylebook, and I have experience working with both straight-text projects and illustrated projects. If you'd like to make an inquiry, please let me know your goals for your project and your budget, and feel free to ask for more info regarding my background or experience with particular subjects.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing LGBTQ Non-Fiction Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Amazon Pick for "Best Book of the Year So Far" (2018; I'M JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE)
  • Lambda Literary Award Finalist (2018; BORN BOTH)
  • A New York Public Library "Essential Read on Feminism" (2018; BORN BOTH)

Work experience

Tiller Press (S&S/Simon Element)

Feb, 2019 — Sep, 2020 (over 1 year)

I evaluated the marketplace for nonfiction books and published approximately a dozen titles per year (in the categories of pop culture, self-help, current events, wellness, lifestyle, and history) based on data-supported cultural trends. In addition, I worked closely with freelance writers and agented authors, conducted developmental and line edits on manuscripts, and oversaw the entire production process for each of my titles.

Hachette Books

Sep, 2016 — Jan, 2019 (over 2 years)

I acquired several of my own adult fiction and nonfiction titles that spanned a range of categories; conducted developmental edits and line edits on manuscripts; and wrote, copyedited, and proofread cover and catalog copy. My responsibilities also included guiding both debut and high-profile authors throughout the production process and shepherding approximately forty books from acquisition to publication.

Hachette Books

Sep, 2014 — Aug, 2016 (almost 2 years)

I assisted an Executive Editor and Senior Editor by providing administrative, editorial, and production support on all of their projects, including several New York Times and national bestsellers. I also wrote cover and promotional copy, conducted market research, and evaluated solicited submissions.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Wild Embers

Gill, Nikita

Hachette Books

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Take Care of Your Type: An Enneagram Guide to Self-Care

Wilcox, Christina S.

S&S/Simon Element

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Opportunity Knocks: A Novel

Sweeney, Alison

Hachette Books

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Born Both: An Intersex Life

Viloria, Hida

Hachette Books

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
The Little Book of VSCO Girl Wisdom

Tiller Press

S&S/Simon Element

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment

Lauren has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Andrena W.

Andrena W.

Sep, 2024

Once again, Lauren has surpassed all expectations. She was a keen professional eye and engages with the content, which I found to be incredibly useful. I found collaborating with her to be a delight. I highly recommend working with her.
Andrena W.

Andrena W.

Jul, 2024

Lauren is excellent on all fronts. Professional, competent, detailed, and gave me excellent advice and feedback that comes from years working within this field. She went far beyond my original request to copyedit and performed a line edit which vastly improved the manuscript. Not only was she very quick to respond, she was caring and knowledgable in the field of mind/body/spirit and self help...
Read more

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