Lindsay Ribar - Editor
Freelance editor specializing in YA, SFF, & query packages. Former literary agent with over a decade of experience in NYC publishing.
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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.
Please reach out if you feel we might be a good match. I look forward to reading your work!
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!
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Epic Fantasy
Horror
LGBTQ Fiction
Middle Grade
Science Fiction
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Work experience
Literary Agent
Sanford J. Greenburger Associates
April, 2007
–
July, 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 (13 selected works)
Illuminae
Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
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 author of Red Queen This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded. The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at... read more
Empire of the Vampire
Jay Kristoff
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 astonishing new dark fantasy saga.From holy cup comes holy light;The faithful hand sets world aright.And in the Seven Martyrs’ sight,Mere man shall end this endless night.It has been twenty-seven long years ... read more
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 bestselling author Lindsay Ellis. The human race is at a crossroads; we know that we are not alone, but details about the alien presence on Earth are still being withheld from the public. As the political cl... read more
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 herself when an angelic creature named Rhyzkahl unexpectedly appeared during a routine summoning. Kara was hoping to use her occult skills to catch a serial killer, but never had she conjured anything like this... read more
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 with the most powerful magic sword in the world but no magical ability of his own, and a demonseed who can step through shadows and punch through walls -- he's going to put his plan into effect.The first... read more
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 expensive black market drug. Without it, Karyn hallucinates slices of the future until they totally overwhelm her, leaving her unable to distinguish the present from the mess of certainties and possibili... read more
The Path of Names
Ari Goelman
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 Hero. She isn't so fond of nature walks, and Hebrew campfire songs, and mean girls her own age. All of which makes a week at Jewish summer camp pretty much the worst idea ever. But within minutes of arrivi... read more
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 Miranda discovers her boyfriend, Samir, cheating on her just after her college graduation, her sister, Claire, comes up with the perfect plan. They’ll outshine Miranda’s ex on Around the World, a reality TV... read more
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's skin . . . and Penny, a child-size marionette who almost looks alive. Fog clouds Penny's memories from before the museum, but she catches glimpses here and there: a stage, deep red curtains, long-finge... read more
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 the picture. But when my junior year started, something not normal happened. There were new kids at school . . . new kids with a wardrobe straight out of a 19th-century romance novel, and an inexplicable... read more
Playing for Keeps (Glasgow Lads Book 1)
Cockburn, Avery
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 assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family.Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and frien... read more
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, this Rothfuss guy.” —George R. R. Martin • “Rothfuss has real talent.” —Terry Brooks DAY TWO: THE WISE MAN’S FEAR “There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the a... read more
Lindsay has 93 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
This is the second time I've worked with Lindsay, and the experience has been wonderful. Her feedback is very useful, to the point, and her experience shows.
Heather Gilchrist, March 2023
Lindsay was great! Wonderful turnaround time, thoughtful feedback, and willing to answer all the questions I have as a first-time author.
Alex McCue, January 2023
Lindsay did a fantastic job doing my developmental edit and it was a pleasure to communicate with her. Many of the weaknesses she pointed out were areas I already suspected were lacking in something, but I had a difficult time pinning down the exact causes, let alone solutions. For instance, I have real difficulties building connections between characters and I couldn't figure out what was mis...
Read more
Heather Gilchrist, December 2022
Lindsay was great to work with! She was very quick to turn around any draft that I sent her, and her perspective as a former literary agent was very valuable.
Alex McCue, December 2022
I enjoyed a lot working with Lindsay. She has amazing attention to detail and provides very constructive and clear feedback
Natasha B, November 2022
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