Lia Ottaviano

Lia Ottaviano – Editor

NYC-based nonfiction editor with over a decade of experience. I specialize in business and management, self-help, spirituality, and memoir.

Overview

I'm an enthusiastic and creative NYC-based editor, book coach, and content strategist with over a decade of experience in the publishing industry. I've collaborated with business and management authors such as Shark Tank star Mark Cuban (Kid Startup), Peter Block (The Empowered Manager 2e), Jeb Blount (Fanatical Prospecting), and Mark Horstman (The Effective Manager).

I've also brought a number of new age/spirituality titles to market, including The Complete Guide to Astrology (Louise Edington), Astrology for Relationships (Jacob Register), Modern Spirituality (Benjamin Decker), The Complete Book of Moon Spells (Michael Herkes), and many more.

I specialize in business, memoir, true crime, self-help, mind/body/spirit, psychology, and health and wellness. I also hold a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Hunter College. I have a strong eye for language, manuscript organization, and content development, and look forward to working with you to help make your project a success.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Health & Wellbeing LGBTQ Non-Fiction New Age Religion & Spirituality Self-Help & Self-Improvement True Crime
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2020 — Present
I collaborate with authors across nonfiction genres on manuscript and book proposal development, content and go-to-market strategy, copy editing, and book coaching. My work samples and rates are available upon request.

Callisto Media

Nov, 2018 — Sep, 2020 (almost 2 years)
At Callisto Media, I oversaw the writing and editing of up to ten nonfiction books at a time at varying stages of development, from initial idea to final manuscript, in the categories of new age spirituality, self-help, psychology, health, and more. I guided the structure and content of books during the writing process, and edited manuscripts, often entailing heavy rewrites.

Diversion Books

Jul, 2018 — Nov, 2018 (4 months)
At Diversion Books, I acquired and edited 15-20 new titles per year in the categories of true crime, self-help, business, management, health, and narrative nonfiction. I worked directly with authors to shape content on all acquired titles, and also crafted cover and marketing copy.

Diversion Books

Dec, 2016 — Jul, 2018 (over 1 year)
As an Editor at Diversion Books, I acquired and edited 15-20 new titles per fiscal year across a range of nonfiction and commercial fiction genres, including business, management, psychology, self-help, true crime, mystery, thriller, and romance. I worked closely with authors to shape content on all acquired titles, from large-scale developmental edits to nitty-gritty proofreading. I also crafted cover and marketing copy and solicited blurbs for all forthcoming publications.

John Wiley and Sons

Nov, 2014 — Dec, 2016 (about 2 years)
As an Associate Editor at John Wiley and Sons, I edited, and managed 15-20 new trade business books per fiscal year in the categories of business management, leadership, sales, startup fundraising, and more, working with category leaders like Jeb Blount and Peter Block. I coordinated creative, publicity, and marketing efforts with authors, and maintained project budgets and timelines across a heavy frontlist.

Portfolio

The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work

Block, Peter

Kid Start-Up: How YOU Can Become an Entrepreneur

Cuban, Mark

The Ultimate Self-Esteem Workbook for Teens: Overcome Insecurity, Defeat Your Inner Critic, and Live Confidently

MacCutcheon LPC, Megan

Mindfulness Workbook for Teens: Exercises and Tools to Handle Stress, Find Focus, and Thrive

Bixby, Linette

Mindful Simplicity: Practical Strategies for Finding Harmony in Your Home, Work, and Life

Acree, Yolanda V

Practical Magic for Beginners: Exercises, Rituals, and Spells for the New Mystic

Haseman, Maggie

Kabbalah for Beginners: Understanding and Applying Kabbalistic History, Concepts, and Practices

Schachter, Brian

Taoism for Beginners: Understanding and Applying Taoist History, Concepts, and Practices

Reninger, Elizabeth

Modern Spirituality: A Guide to the Heart of Mindfulness, Meditation, and the Art of Healing

Decker, Benjamin W

Astrology for Relationships: Your Complete Compatibility Guide to Friends, Lovers, Family, and Colleagues

Register, Jake

The Complete Guide to Astrology: Understanding Yourself, Your Signs, and Your Birth Chart

Edington, Louise

The Complete Book of Moon Spells: Rituals, Practices, and Potions for Abundance

Herkes, Michael

Visual Content Marketing: Leveraging Infographics, Video, and Interactive Media to Attract and Engage Customers

Stephen Gamble

Your ticket to generating better results through infographics Visual Content Marketing is a more than just a guide to infographics. Written for business people dealing with complex offerings, this is a hands-on, in-the-trenches guide to leveraging this emergin... read more
Aligned to Achieve: How to Unite Your Sales and Marketing Teams into a Single Force for Growth

Tracy Eiler

A smart, practical guide to rocket-powered business growth Aligned to Achieve puts sales and marketing on the same page, creating a revenue 'dream team' that will drive your organization to new heights. Smart, practical explanations, case studies, and tips gui... read more
Get Momentum: How to Start When You're Stuck

Jason W. Womack

A powerful and personalized process to improve your life and advance your career Do you sometimes feel stuck, despite real efforts to gain momentum on goals you’ve set? Momentum means you’re doing more than simply getting things done. It’s that feeling of sati... read more
Fanatical Prospecting: The Ultimate Guide to Opening Sales Conversations and Filling the Pipeline by Leveraging Social Selling, Telephone, Email, Text, and Cold Calling

Jeb Blount

Ditch the failed sales tactics, fill your pipeline, and crush your numberFanatical Prospecting gives salespeople, sales leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives a practical, eye-opening guide that clearly explains the why and how behind the most important activi... read more
The Art of Startup Fundraising: Pitching Investors, Negotiating the Deal, and Everything Else Entrepreneurs Need to Know

Alejandro Cremades

Startup money is moving online, and this guide shows you how it works. The Art of Startup Fundraising takes a fresh look at raising money for startups, with a focus on the changing face of startup finance. New regulations are making the old go-to advice less r... read more
The Art of Strategic Leadership: How Leaders at All Levels Prepare Themselves, Their Teams, and Organizations for the Future

Steven J. Stowell

Develop the qualities of strategic leadership and become an active contributor to the short- and long-term success of your organization Today's organizations face two daunting challenges: 1. How to create new sources of competitive advantage to sustain long-te... read more
The Effective Manager

Mark Horstman

The how-to guide for exceptional management from the bottom up The Effective Manager is a hands-on practical guide to great management at every level. Written by the man behind Manager Tools, the world's number-one business podcast, this book distills the auth... read more

Lia has 133 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Lisa S.

Lisa S.

Dec, 2025

Lia gave such insightful and thorough feedback, I now know what an editor can really do. I got more than I ever expected in terms of close reading, critical commentary, and suggestions. I am thrilled to have worked with Lia.
Michael S.

Michael S.

Dec, 2025

Lia has many talents as an editor, but one of her greatest is helping an author realize their specific vision. I approached her near the end of an ambitious and unconventional project, where previous editors had tried to pull me away from the direction I wanted to go. She took me seriously from t...
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Victoria K.

Victoria K.

Oct, 2025

When I started my search for an editor I was inexplicably drawn to Lia’s profile. I’m delighted - and relieved - that I trusted that instinct. Firstly, she’s so responsive and very generous with her time and feedback. She has consistently been available and quick to answer any follow-up question...
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Karen P.

Karen P.

Oct, 2025

Working with Lia is the best decision I have made. Her reflections and suggestions have made my book so much better.
Vahab H.

Vahab H.

Oct, 2025

Working with Lia has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my book. She doesn’t just edit, she understands the heart of the message and helps bring it to life with clarity and impact. Lia has a gift for spotting what needs to be strengthened without ever losing the author’s voice. Her thou...
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