Margot Mallinson – Editor

I’m an editor with over 15 years’ experience in traditional publishing. I was in-house at a Big 5 publisher, where I acquired and took novels through every stage of editing, and positioned for success authors ranging from fresh debuts to blockbuster New York Times bestsellers. My authors are award-winning and critically acclaimed, and I'm proud and lucky to have played a part in shaping their amazing books.

My approach is that story is story, regardless of genre, and great storytelling applies to all types of books. I read widely and eclectically, and have worked on women’s fiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, romantic suspense, speculative and science fiction, thrillers and horror. I am comfortable and confident working within the tropes and conventions of many genres—and I love a mash-up—but I’m particularly adept at helping create believable, compelling romances.

I’d love to bring my depth of expertise to help you craft your story into the very strongest version it can be: engrossing, affecting, and with that page-turning magic that readers crave. I have utmost respect for an author’s voice, and think it's important to guide authors to find and polish their authentic storytelling voice. I’d like to work primarily on women’s fiction and romance, and am comfortable with all heat levels on the page. I love to get into the nitty gritty of a developmental/substantive edit in order to strengthen character arcs and tighten plots.

If you’re ready for professional feedback to take your writing to the next level, let’s talk!

Kind words from authors I've worked with:

“A brilliant editor, Margot never fails to make an author’s work the best it can be.”

—Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author

“I had the pleasure of working with Margot on 5 novels, and she is an absolute wizard at pinpointing exactly what needs to be done to take the story to the next level. She's meticulous, insightful, intuitive, brilliant, and does not leave any stone unturned. Every single one of my books is light years better because of Margot, and I hope I get to work with her again.”

—Sara Ackerman, USA Today bestselling author

“Margot has the uncanny ability to look at a whole forest of words and pinpoint the exact spot that needs work. With laser focus she finds not only where the problems are, but also makes suggestions on how to uplift the manuscript as a whole, which is a precious and amazing skill. Very kind, and an attentive listener, Margot has the ability to hear what you’re saying and interpret what's really behind your concerns, and she communicates her suggestions in a thoughtful, resonant way. She also leaves the sweetest notes in the places where the manuscript is working, to remind you that sharing your stories with others can be a joy as well as vital step in creating a cohesive and professional book. I would absolutely work with Margot again. No question.”​

—J.M. Frey, author of Triptych and Time and Tide