Reviews (36)

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Reviews (36)

Overview

The process of pitching literary agents is inherently confusing, tricky, and even scary. There's nothing worse than losing your manuscript to the slush pile without any real explanation as to why. Was your query letter not catchy enough? Did the manuscript need work? Did you just pitch the wrong agent? It's a frustrating and even demoralizing process, but I'd like to help you through it.

As a "Big Five" editor of NYT bestselling nonfiction and fiction, I was proud to work with inspiring authors like Isabel Allende, Alice Walker, Neil Gaiman, Cleo Wade, Colleen Hoover, and Kevin Hart. However, I loved working as a lowly assistant at Writers House Literary Agency even more. Why? Because that was where I could spend countless hours digging through the manuscripts of hopeful would-be authors and, on good days, make their dreams come true.

I guess it is fitting, then, that today I work as a publishing consultant. I fully devote my time to helping authors turn rejection letters into offer letters! I can help you during any stage of the process of getting literary representation: from book doctoring, to drafting query letters and book proposals, to even consulting on which agents to pitch. It would be my absolute pleasure to help you one day see your book on the shelves.

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SERVICES INCLUDE:

-Book Doctoring: An intensive editorial deep dive complete with a step-by-step roadmap to guide your next revision. I begin this process by pinpointing your project’s areas for improvement—which can be anything from structure, to pacing, to the dramatic tension—and homing in on the common source of these issues. From there, I provide a thorough editorial letter that not only identifies how these issues manifest throughout the manuscript, but also provides a step-by-step roadmap to walk you through your next revision and multiple potential “cures” for each of the project’s ailments. To support this letter, you will also receive comments throughout the manuscript with detailed feedback. While the letter focuses primarily on manuscript-specific recommendations, it will also help you to cultivate craft skills that can be applied to future writing endeavors. We will conclude with a 1-hour consultation call where we can discuss any of your questions about the edit and work together to brainstorm more ideas for the next revision. Book doctoring is best for fiction or nonfiction writers who are looking for a hands-on, deeply collaborative, encouraging, and intensive editorial experience. This is particularly beneficial for those that are feeling “stuck” with a manuscript that is uncooperative, anemic, has received multiple rejections, or simply needs objective input from a qualified professional. This client is willing to do more extensive edits in their next revision in order to make their book an altogether more captivating read.

-Development Editing: Take the next big step on the path to getting your book published with an in-depth edit of your full manuscript. You'll receive a thorough evaluation of your manuscript with a focus on big picture revisions including notes on structure, tone, plotting, character development, dramatic tension, etc. This service helps you to identify your project’s areas for improvement, offers recommendations for revision, and provides detailed feedback throughout the manuscript using comments/tracked changes. Developmental editing is for writers who want a thorough evaluation from an objective, qualified editorial professional, but prefer not to have the more intensive experience of book doctoring. This service is particularly helpful for writers who are readying their work for the agent querying process.

-Editorial Assessment: This initial evaluation identifies your book’s strengths and weaknesses, offers thoughtful feedback on high priority areas for your next revision (with an emphasis on big picture elements such as structure, tone, plotting, character development, dramatic tension, etc.), and thoughts on marketability, target audience, and pitching. This assessment can also address any of specific questions you have about the project. This service is perfect writers in search of a lighter evaluation in order to guide their next revision, polish their manuscript prior to querying agents, or provide a “gut check” on their work-in-progress.

-Manuscript Consultation: During this 1-hour phone consultation, we will discuss first impressions of your work, strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript, and my recommended next steps for the project. We will also answer any specific questions you may have about the manuscript and/or the publishing process. A manuscript consultation is perfect authors looking for a “gut check” on their work as well as personalized guidance on the publishing process.

-Nonfiction Book Proposal Writing: Break into the nonfiction space with a professional book proposal that highlights your projects strengths.

-Nonfiction Book Proposal Review: Receive feedback and personalized guidance on your book proposal to ensure literary agents can understand your vision and see your project’s potential.

-Query Letter Writing: Receive a market-savvy pitch that will highlight your book’s strengths, sell your author platform, and make your work stand out of the dreaded “slush pile.”

-Query Letter Review: Receive feedback and personalized guidance on your query letter to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward in the pitching process.

-1-Hour Publishing Consultation Calls: Navigate the publication process and ask any questions you may have about finding an agent, submitting queries, getting published, and more.

**Work samples available upon request

Services

Developmental Editing

Editorial Assessment

Query Letter Review

Languages

English (US)

Non-Fiction

Biographies & Memoirs

Self-Help & Self-Improvement

Fiction

Historical Fiction

Humor & Comedy

Mystery & Crime

Thriller & Suspense

Women's Fiction

Editor and Publishing Consultant

Self-employed

November, 2017 – Present (over 4 years)

As a publishing consultant and editor, I support potential authors through the process of seeking literary agent representation. With editorial development and agent querying services—including professional book doctoring, query letters, and nonfiction book proposals—as well as consultations on pitching agents and navigating the publishing process, my clients can increase their likelihood of gaining literary representation and, therefore, becoming published authors.

Acquisitions Editor

Simon & Schuster, Inc. - Atria Books & 37 INK

May, 2015 – November, 2017 (over 2 years)

As part of the 37 INK and Atria Editorial teams, I worked on high-profile, New York Times bestselling projects and maintained relationships with acclaimed authors such as Alice Walker, Kevin Hart, Isabel Allende, Thomas Mullen, Taraji P. Henson, Colleen Hoover and more. I built network of international and domestic agents, participated in auctions, and negotiated contractual terms in order to acquire projects on behalf of the company. I performed thorough development edits in a variety of genres such as literary and upmarket fiction (including mystery/suspense and historical), practical nonfiction, memoir, and humor.

Literary Agent's Assistant

Writers House Literary Agency

May, 2014 – May, 2015 (about 1 year)

As the interim assistant to Merrilee Heifetz, I performed extensive editorial work on the manuscripts of both debut authors and existing clients. I evaluated manuscript submissions and utilized my knowledge of the current market to make recommendations for strategic client acquisition.

Assistant Editor

Sourcebooks, Inc.

June, 2012 – April, 2014 (almost 2 years)

As the first member of a brand new Sourcebooks imprint, I was given many opportunities to grow quickly as an editor and make an impact across multiple departments. I evaluated manuscript proposals across imprints for publication consideration and collaborated with authors in developing trade nonfiction and commercial fiction manuscripts. Due to my strategic sales analyses of trade nonfiction markets, I was charged with building a line of trade study aids titles, and managed project development for their corresponding digital programs. My success in these efforts granted me opportunities to work directly with the CEO and Publisher in building a new junior nonfiction line as well. I served as a ghostwriter for key debut authors and supplied print and digital content, including chapter entries, articles for distribution in major media outlets, and blog posts.

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Professionalism

Professionalism

Quality

Quality

Value

Value

Communication & Punctuality

Communication & Punctuality

Lindsay is thorough, prompt, and gives truly honest feedback. She got to the heart of the matter right away in the content editing of my book, and gave me many tips on successful creative writing. I would hire her again!

T. Scheufler, May 2022

So far, I've had one call with Lindsay to discuss publishing options for an upcoming book, and she has already been an incredible resource! Lindsay is warm and personable and made me feel comfortable right away. She is also prompt, professional, and knowledgeable as all heck! Her experience in the publishing industry is a major plus - she gave me so much valuable guidance and information that I...

Leigh Wulff, April 2022

Lindsay has been great to work with. She’s a great communicator and was exactly on time with the edit. She responded to all of my questions very quickly. Her comments and encouragement were wonderful. I really feel like she has my best interest in mind.

Marilyn Slominski, October 2021

Lindsay gave me exactly the feedback I needed to move my memoir into top shape. She helped me step back from my very personal story when the fear was interfering. She was direct about what needed improving structurally, she pointed out areas where the drama needed to be enhanced and was encouraging where warranted. I would hire her again for a developmental edit, anytime.

Dana Killion, October 2021

I have used Lindsay for two collaborations. Her work is exceptional! She worked her "magic" on my query letter then did the same for my synopsis. As a result, both were now much improved. I plan to use her for any editing project I may have in the future. Highly recommended!!

Marshall Marshall, September 2021