Lindsay Newton

Lindsay Newton – Editor

Former Big Five Editor of NYT Bestselling Thrillers, WF, Self-Help, and Memoirs who specializes in helping authors get a literary agent.

Overview

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 development editing to reviewing query letters and book proposals. It would be my absolute pleasure to help you one day see your book on the shelves.

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MY SERVICES:


DEVELOPMENT EDITING: Work with a “ Big Five” editor to bring out the best in your book. With development editing, you’ll receive thorough, high-level feedback to help you tighten up your narrative, flesh out your characters, convey your message with skill, and more.


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.


BOOK PROPOSAL REVIEW: A winning book proposal is crucial for selling your

nonfiction work to a literary agent. Using comments and tracked changes throughout your proposal, you will receive strategic and market-savvy guidance that will make your proposal stand out.


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.


AGENT PACKAGE REVIEW: This service includes a review of your query letter and the first 10 pages of your manuscript with comments and red-lining throughout to improve your chances of publication.


***PLEASE NOTE I am not accepting poetry, screenplays, or Young Adult/Children's literature at this time.***

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Self-Help & Self-Improvement True Crime
Fiction
Historical Fiction Humor & Comedy Mystery & Crime Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Nov, 2017 — Present

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 development editing, query letter reviews, and nonfiction book proposal reviews—as well as consultations on navigating the publishing process, my clients can increase their likelihood of gaining literary representation and, therefore, becoming published authors. I continue to offer free resources to writers whenever possible, including a free Nonfiction Book Proposal Template that teaches writers how to create a successful pitch.

My clients have garnered representation from preeminent literary agencies including Aevitas Creative Management, Levine Greenburg Rostan, Dystel Goderich & Bourret, Stephanie Tade Agency, and more.

Hugo House

Oct, 2022 — Present

As an instructor at Seattle's beloved nonprofit community writing center, Hugo House, I teach Query Letter Bootcamp courses to help writers "think like an agent" as they write winning query letters that highlight their strategic hook, flesh out their author platform, identify their target audience, and more. My former students have seen fantastic results - many receiving offers of representation and full manuscript requests immediately following the course.

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

May, 2015 — Nov, 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.

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.

Sourcebooks, Inc.

Jun, 2012 — Apr, 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.

Portfolio

Instant New York Times Bestseller Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the u... read more
Developmental Editing
New York Times bestselling author, superstar comedian, and Hollywood box office star Kevin Hart turns his immense talent to the written word by writing some words. Some of those words include:... read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
“Writes with a ferocious passion that’ll knock the wind out of you.” —The New York Times, on Darktown “Reads like the best of James Ellroy.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review), on Darktown “M... read more
Developmental Editing
From the award-winning entrepreneur, culture leader, and creator of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! movement comes an inspiring and beautifully designed book that pays tribute to the achievements and co... read more
Developmental Editing
The long-awaited first cookbook from the creator and host of the Internet’s most popular baking show, Nerdy Nummies: a collection of Rosanna Pansino’s all-time favorite geeky recipes as well a... read more
Developmental Editing
What We Become: A Novel

Arturo Perez-Reverte

#1 bestselling author and Dagger Award winner Arturo Pérez-Reverte delivers an epic historical tale following the dangerous and passionate love affair between a beautiful high society woman an... read more
Developmental Editing
The New York Times bestselling 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse will jump-start your weight loss, increase your energy level, clear your mind, and improve your overall health as you lose ten to f... read more
Developmental Editing
“The Newsroom meets Gone Girl” (Cosmopolitan) in this stunning psychological thriller featuring a young television producer investigating the disappearance of a beautiful Georgetown lawyer—per... read more
Developmental Editing
A beautifully illustrated book from Cleo Wade—the artist, poet, and speaker who has been called “the Millennial Oprah” by New York Magazine—that offers creative inspiration and life lessons th... read more
Developmental Editing
The German Girl: A Novel

Armando Lucas Correa

AN INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER Featured in Entertainment Weekly, People, The Millions, and USA TODAY “An unforgettable and resplendent novel which will take its place among the great historical f... read more
Developmental Editing
From New York Times bestselling author Isabel Allende, “a magical and sweeping” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) love story and multigenerational epic that stretches from San Francisco in t... read more
Developmental Editing
Longlisted for the National Book Award for Fiction and Kirkus Prize Finalist Calling to mind the best works of Paul Beatty and Junot Díaz, this collection of moving, timely, and darkly funny s... read more
Developmental Editing

Lindsay has 48 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bryan L.

Bryan L.

Aug, 2024

Pinned
Five stars without question. I cannot recommend Lindsay highly enough. Her industry insights were invaluable, her commitment to the project was incredible – and her willingness to go far beyond her call of duty was amazing. You simply cannot go wrong with her.
Danielle L.

Danielle L.

Jul, 2023

Pinned
Lindsay is undoubtedly the ideal editor to entrust with your manuscript. Her expertise has played a pivotal role in shaping my work, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the invaluable input she has provided throughout this project. One of the most remarkable qualities about Lindsay is her ability to offer honest and refreshing feedback. She possesses a keen eye for detail and never hesi...
Read more
Ryan M.

Ryan M.

Jun, 2022

Pinned
Lindsay is a joy to work with. I almost cannot believe how well she knew my full manuscript while conducting a recent review of the work. She could reference specific, nuanced sections of the book from memory. It is so clear she digs deep and gives every ounce of energy she has to her projects. (Either that or she has superhero-level memory, which I am not ruling out.) She is honest, kind and t...
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Pamela P.

Pamela P.

Nov, 2024

Lindsay is wonderful! Her comments are insightful and to the point. I was able to use her suggestions to improve my cover letter and first chapter. Working with her has been a wonderful experience.
Carole M.

Carole M.

Sep, 2024

Lindsay finished our collaboration early and under budget. Her encouraging words and extensive advice have been so helpful. She's a joy to work with, and I am glad I found her here.

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