Margaux Weisman – Editor

I am an editor with a decade of experience working across three major publishing houses. During my ten years as an editor, I've honed my skills in both structural overhauls and line-level attention to detail. Among the honors and distinctions my authors have enjoyed are Whiting Awards, National Book Award long lists, New York Times notable books, LAMBDA Literary Nominations, Edgar Awards, Anthony Awards, and New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. Prior to working in publishing I was a PA in film and television. A writer myself, I received my MFA from The New School.

Being a writer and an editor, I have a unique and holistic perspective on the craft of writing and the publishing industry. I am uniquely sensitive to a writer's needs and understand the heart and soul that goes into a manuscript. I also have nearly 20 years of experience in writers' workshops and am adept at discussing an author's work with the author's vision in mind first and foremost.
I've also worked at three major imprints, between HarperCollins and Penguin Random House, and have a 360 view on trade publishing. Through my years as an assistant, rising through the ranks, and subsequent experience as an editor with my own list, I've worked on almost every type of book in some capacity. While I publish mostly literary fiction and upmarket commercial fiction, and some narrative nonfiction, I've edited action adventure novels, romance novels, fantasy/horror novels, reported nonfiction, and even a prescriptive book about what to expect when you're expecting twins or triplets.

I can find the core thread of any story.

As an editor, my first question is always: what do you want this book to be? And then I see it as my duty to help you get it there.

In my full-time roll as an editor, one of my greatest joys has been making authors' dreams come true. I've matched many authors with their agent soulmates, and helped countless writers craft the perfect query letter. When it comes to your query, I know what the gatekeepers are looking for, because I am one! The best query should be able to have a long life, changing very little from its role as agent query, to editor pitch, to book jacket copy. And, I spend most of my time writing and rewriting SEO and jacket copy for books I publish. I know what catches the eyes of agents, editors, and consumers. I recently transitioned to the sales department of a major publisher, to gain better perspective on the business side of publishing, but I am still working with authors to develop their manuscripts.

In my freelance experience, I have helped over a dozen burgeoning authors bring their manuscripts up to the highest level possible. I offer developmental editing, line editing, and query editing. Query editing is my specialty and I charge a flat fee of $400. This includes a line edit of your query letter, a short memo with my feedback, and a half hour follow-up call to discuss the query letter.

I see my position as a current publishing professional at the world's largest publisher as a boon to burgeoning authors who are looking for insight into an industry often shrouded in mystery. My experience with editing award-winning and bestselling authors means that you are getting the same caliber of feedback afforded to accomplished, working writers. That said, I do have a full-time job. I am not a full-time freelancer. While I do try to turn-around projects as quickly as possible, this means that my availability or turn-around time may be different from other Reedsy editors'. But, I have unparalleled insight into the publishing industry, a world that is typically shrouded in mystery.