Meredith Hays

Meredith Hays – Editor

A former NYC Literary Agent and Editor, I've over 20 years experience in trade publishing. My secret: I often prefer books to people.

Overview

For 20+ years I've worked with top publishers and know what's needed to shepherd a book from a draft form to a finished product. I've worked with mainstream publishers and independent houses and appreciate a range of writing and storytelling styles.

I've developed commercial and literary fiction; narrative nonfic; health & wellness; mind, body, spirit; pop culture; and lifestyle titles. For me, a carefully, well-crafted narrative is as important as a gripping, memorable plot.

I respect how hard authors work and admire anyone who creates literature for others to learn from and enjoy. It's a real pleasure to assist in this process.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing Inspirational Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction New Adult
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Various Agencies (see below)

Sep, 1998 — Oct, 2009 (about 11 years)

2005-2009 Literary Agent/Editor
FinePrint Literary Management, NYC
-Represented authors of fiction & nonfiction
-Developed proposals, edited manuscripts, tracked projects on submission, pitched and sold work to publishers
-Negotiated and executed publishing contracts
-Liaised with authors
-Attended literary conferences, participated as guest panel member

2001-2005 Literary Agent/Editor
Judith Ehrlich Literary Management, NYC
-Represented authors of fiction & nonfiction
-Developed proposals, edited manuscripts, tracked projects on submission, pitched and sold work to publishers
-Negotiated and executed publishing contracts
-Liaised with authors

1998-2001 Literary Associate
Linda Chester & Associates, NYC
-Co-represented fiction and non-fiction projects
-Developed proposals, edited manuscripts, tracked projects on submission, pitched and sold work to publishers
-Attended literary conferences, participated as guest panel member
-Liaised with authors

1994-1998 Jr. Agent/Assistant Subsidiary Rights Manager
Writer House, LLC, NYC
-Represented small publishers' subsidiary rights
-Sold book club, paperback, and first serial rights for fiction and nonfiction titles
-Edited manuscripts, developed proposals, vetted and processed contracts
-Liaised with authors and publishers

Portfolio

Let the Baby Drive: Navigating the Road of New Motherhood

Lu Hanessian

A parenting book about the rewards of listening to--and following--your own instincts and taking the clues from your baby.
Green Box: Tim Malzer's Green Cuisine

Tim Malzer

One of Europe's top chefs brings his popular and easy to prepare recipes to America, featuring delicious vegetarian dishes for all tastes. Cooking with fresh vegetables has never been more fun. With this new cookbook, Tim Malzer shows the surprising wealth of ... read more
The Designer's Cookbook: 12 Colors, 12 Menus

Tatjana Reimann

This unique and beautifully produced cookbook presents an innovative take on menu design for the home cook as well as the practiced gourmet. Looking for something new to try in the kitchen? How about a delicious dinner in which each course―from appetizer to de... read more
The Monet Cookbook: Recipes from Giverny

Florence Gentner

This beautiful book presents 60 of Claude Monet’s original recipes alongside glorious reproductions of his paintings, scenes from his life in Giverny, and stunning photographs of the dishes. It’s well known that Claude Monet was a gourmand as well as an artist... read more
The Untouchable Tree: An Illustrated Guide to Earthly Wisdom & Arboreal Delights

Peter C. Stone

An artist shares his love of trees with his brilliant paintings and thoughtful words. According to Peter Stone, "any book about trees can't help but be a book about people," and so his book is about our connection to the magnificence, the transcendence, and th... read more
They Made Their Mark: An Illustrated History of The Society of Woman Geographers

Jane Eppinga

They Made Their Mark covers the wide spectrum of women's curiosity in the fields of art, science and culture and chronicles the history of the Society of Woman Geographers--from the first meeting in 1925 to today.
Locavore's Handbook: The Busy Person's Guide To Eating Local On A Budget

Leda Meredith

These days, nearly everyone wants to eat green and local, but tight schedules and even tighter budgets can make it seem like an unattainable goal. The Locavore's Handbook: The Busy Person's Guide to Eating Local on a Budget is here to help, as author Leda Mere... read more
Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track

Melissa Joulwan

The 1950s phenomenon of Roller Derby is back in full force, and it's definitely not your grandma's game anymore. With leagues in more than one hundred cities across the country, a national tournament, and major sponsors, the new wave of the sport has gone main... read more
The Portable Spell Book: Quick and Simple Magick You Can Do Anywhere, Anytime

Ashleen O'Gaea

You don?t need a witch?s cauldron to do magick. With this book, casting spells, creating charms, and brewing potions are as easy as wrinkling your nose. Designed for spellcasters on the go who want to practice informal magick without calling attention to thems... read more
The Good Cat Spell Book

Gillian Kemp

An interactive guide to working with your cat to cast spells that promote health, wealth, and romance.A bewitching spell-casting book that focuses on cats as "familiars" (that is, creatures who aid in magickal works), THE GOOD CAT SPELL BOOK presents spells an... read more
Living Canvas

Karen Hudson

Tattoos. Given their permanence, why is it that we sometimes put more thought into what we’ll wear next Saturday night, or our next haircut? As a tattoo specialist and writer for About.com, Karen L. Hudson has talked to far too many people who regret their tat... read more
It's How You Play the Game: A Novel

Jimmy Gleacher

With a cinematic wit and some emotional insight (rare from the male perspective), Jimmy Gleacher delivers his debut novel, a clever and heartfelt tale of a twentysomething guy's trip through love and relationships. Jack Wilson's got a few problems. First, ther... read more
Wild Horses of the West: History and Politics of America's Mustangs

J. Edward de Steiguer

When the Spanish explorers brought horses to North America, the horses were, in a sense, returning home. Beginning with their origins fifty million years ago, the wild horse has been traced from North America through Asia to the plains of Spain’s Andalusia and... read more
Feltique: Techniques and Projects for Wet Felting, Needle Felting, Fulling, and Working with Commercial Felt by Nikola Davidson (2009-05-19)

Nikola Davidson;Brookelynn Morris

Ice Pop Joy: Organic, Healthy, Fresh, Delicious

Anni Daulter

Chill out! You can indulge in deliciously sweet and juicy ice pops without consuming refined sugar and fake sweeteners. What could be better than a sticky-sweet frozen treat to cool you down on a hot summer day? How about a heavenly, fresh and wholesome ice po... read more
The Organic Family Cookbook: growing, greening, and cooking together

Anni Daulter

This inspiring cookbook answers the call for healthy recipes for family-friendly organic meals -- snacks, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts, and extras. Sidebars and tips throughout promote green living -- organic child- and family-specific gardening idea... read more
Organically Raised: Conscious Cooking for Babies and Toddlers: A Cookbook

Anni Daulter

A cookbook with a conscience, Organically Raised shows parents how to replace bland processed shelf staples with flavorful, pesticide-free meals that babies will love, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of good nutrition and enthusiastic eating.Organically R... read more
Ice Pop Joy: Organic, Healthy, Fresh, Delicious

Anni Daulter

Chill out! You can indulge in deliciously sweet and juicy ice pops without consuming refined sugar and fake sweeteners. What could be better than a sticky-sweet frozen treat to cool you down on a hot summer day? How about a heavenly, fresh and wholesome ice po... read more
By Sharon Naylor Bridal Bible: Inspiration For Planning Your Perfect Wedding (First Edition) [Hardcover]

Lonesome for Bears: A Woman's Journey In The Tracks Of The Wilderness

Linda Jo Hunter

Linda Hunter was terrified of bears, but she yearned for the solitude of the wilderness. Setting aside her fears, she became an expert tracker and guide and grew to miss the company of the very animals that once kept her from her love of the outdoors. As caret... read more
Two Minutes for God: Quick Fixes for the Spirit

Peter Baldwin Panagore

Heartfelt and humorous stories about work, family, loss, and love bring god into everyday life in this unique and quirky devotional. You don't have to pray for hours a day -- all God asks is that you keep the holy spirit in your heart. In three hundred words (... read more

Meredith has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Mary C.

Mary C.

Feb, 2021

Meredith's feedback was invaluable to me. Thank you Meredith!
William F.

William F.

Dec, 2020

Since this was my first rodeo, I cannot compare the service with anything else. However, I feel that Meredith put it in quite a bit of work to make my novel better. She was kind, professional, patient, and timely. I think that her services were well worth it, and I would consider using her again. Thanks so much!
Greg N.

Greg N.

Aug, 2020

Meredith was an incredible asset to the process of writing and publishing my first book. Not only did she catch all the grammatical errors (large and small), but she also had valuable insight and suggestions for flow, content, readability and more. Her work was so valuable and the experience working with her was so positive, that I already plan to reach out to her for future projects as well....
Read more
Meredith H.
Thank you, Greg. It was a true pleasure to work with you and to support your awesome vision . I am looking forward to future collaborations!
Jill H.

Jill H.

May, 2020

As a first time author, Meredith's expertise and knowledge was key in helping me finalize my manuscript. She played an instrumental role in organizing, proofreading and editing for content. In addition, her communication style is very friendly and casual and I appreciated that her suggestions were worded in a positive tone. I would highly recommend her for your job!

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