Lindsay Ribar

Lindsay Ribar – Editor

Freelance editor specializing in YA, SFF, and query packages. Former literary agent with over 15 years of experience in NYC publishing.

Overview

In my nine years as a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates and many more years freelancing, I've worked with Big Five authors and self-published authors, New York Times bestselling authors and niche genre authors -- everything from contemporary novels to epic, sprawling secondary-world fantasy.


While speculative fiction, YA, and queer fiction are my sweet spots (got any speculative queer YA? hit me up!), I also love editing middle grade, psychological suspense, and even the occasional literary title.


Here’s an overview of the services I offer:



QUERY LETTER REVIEW

If you hire me for a query letter review, you can expect extremely fast feedback on ONE query letter. My query letter offers will always include unlimited rereads -- within the time frame of our collaboration (usually one week), I'll work with you on your letter until it's ready to send out.



QUERY PACKAGES

If you’d like feedback on any combination of

- your query letter, and/or

- your synopsis (up to 1000 words), and/or

- your opening chapter(s) (up to 50 double-spaced pages),

please select the “Query Letter Review” option and give me an overview of what you’d like me to work on, including the word count of your chapters, if applicable.



DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT

If you hire me for a developmental edit, you can expect a detailed editorial letter suggesting how you can improve your manuscript, with specific focus on big-picture notes, such as character arcs, plot structure, and world building. I will also include notes in the margins of your manuscript, consisting of chapter- and scene-level notes and real-time reactions as I read. After you've read my notes, I'll also be available for any follow-up questions you may have. Not included in this service are (a) a second read of the manuscript after you've worked with my notes, (b) line edits, or (c) copy edits.



EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT

If you hire me for an editorial assessment, you can expect the same kind of editorial letter I described above, except without the scene- and chapter-level margin notes. Big picture only!


I do not work on poetry, picture books, chapter books, military fiction, religious/inspirational fiction, or nonfiction.


Please reach out if you feel we might be a good match. I look forward to reading your work!

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Horror LGBTQ Fiction Middle Grade Science Fiction Urban Fantasy Young Adult
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Sanford J. Greenburger Associates

Apr, 2007 — Jul, 2016 (about 9 years)

As an agent with SJGA, I worked with my own clients and my boss's clients, editing manuscripts and proposals into saleable shape. Our authors ranged from established NYT bestsellers to brand-new writers -- and, occasionally, brand-new writers who would eventually go on to become NYT bestsellers!

Portfolio

Truth of the Divine

Lindsay Ellis

USA TODAY BESTSELLERTruth of the Divine is the latest alternate-history first-contact novel in the Noumena series from the instant New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times bes... read more
Developmental Editing
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLERFrom New York Times bestselling author Jay Kristoff comes Empire of the Vampire, the first illustrated volume of an ast... read more
Developmental Editing
Illuminae

Amie Kaufman

For fans of Marie Lu comes the first book in an epic series that bends the sci-fi genre into a new dimension. “A truly beautiful novel that redefines the form." —Victoria Aveyard, bestselling ... read more
Developmental Editing
The Wise Man's Fear

Patrick Rothfuss

Discover #1 New York Times-bestselling Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy series, The Kingkiller Chronicle. “I just love the world of Patrick Rothfuss.” —Lin-Manuel Miranda • “He’s bloody good, th... read more
Developmental Editing
Nevernight

Jay Kristoff

Nevernight is the first in an epic new fantasy series from the New York Times bestselling author, Jay Kristoff.In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of... read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Vampire Crush

A. M. Robinson

I swear, my life was always totally normal.Normal house, normal family, normal school. My looks are average, I don't have any superpowers, no one's showing up to tell me I'm a princess—you get... read more
Developmental Editing
Spell and Spindle

Michelle Schusterman

Doll Bones meets Splendors and Glooms as a boy who trades bodies with a wooden marionette. . . . The Museum of Peculiar Arts holds many oddities--a mechanical heart, a diary bound in its owner... read more
Developmental Editing
For Real

Alison Cherry

From Alison Cherry, author of Look Both Ways and Red, comes a terrific story that's "too fun to miss" (USA Today) about two sisters and one big question: how do you know who’s for real?When Mi... read more
Developmental Editing
Mysteries, mazes, and magic combine in this smart, funny summer-camp fantasy -- like THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY for kids! Dahlia Shulman loves magic, and Math Club, and Guitar H... read more
Developmental Editing
Premonitions

Jamie Schultz

TWO MILLION DOLLARS... It’s the kind of score Karyn Ames has always dreamed of—enough to set her crew up pretty well and, more important, enough to keep her safely stocked on a very rare, very... read more
Developmental Editing
The Spirit Thief

Rachel Aaron

Eli Monpress is talented. He's charming. And he's a thief.But not just any thief. He's the greatest thief of the age -- and he's also a wizard. And with the help of his partners -- a swordsman... read more
Developmental Editing
Mark of the Demon

Diana Rowland

Cop and conjurer of demons, she’s a woman in danger of losing control—to a power that could kill. . . .Why me? Why now? That’s what Beaulac, Louisiana, detective Kara Gillian was asking hersel... read more
Developmental Editing

Lindsay has 118 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Madelyn F.

Madelyn F.

Apr, 2024

Lindsay was wonderful to work worth and gave excellent feedback!
T J M.

T J M.

Mar, 2024

I could have spent money going to three writer conferences, taking all their master classes and not achieved a quarter of the guidance toward publication that Lindsay gave in her, at times, hard to hear critique. She was well worth the investment.
Ciara M.

Ciara M.

Mar, 2024

Lindsay was quick, thorough, and thoughtful! She definitely knew what she was talking about and responded with kind and detailed feedback. Great to work with!
Danielle C.

Danielle C.

Feb, 2024

I loved working with Lindsay! I finally have a working query after just a few days. Their response time is also extremely fast, and they helped answer some questions I had about approaching certain topics when it came to querying (personalizing queries, for instance). I'm looking forward to working with them in the future!
Adrian B.

Adrian B.

Feb, 2024

Lindsay was very professional and responsive. We did great work thanks to her. She helped me a lot !

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