Molly Sackler

Molly Sackler – Editor

Editor skilled in Mystery and Romance. Deep experience in NYC trade and education publishing (Doubleday, Pearson). Also a published writer.

Overview

I’m a sensitive, deft developmental editor with years of experience in NYC trade and educational publishing (Doubleday, Dutton, Pearson). I'm also a writer myself, most recently published in Vanity Fair.

A recovered academic (ABD in English literature), I taught writing at New York University for several years. At Doubleday, I worked on a mystery imprint (R.I.P. dear “Crime Club”) which published 36 books a year. At Pearson, I was a developmental editor on textbooks for college-level ELL readers. Now that I’m a freelance editor, my work runs the gamut. I recently helped a new author get her first book — a historical romance — published. I also excel at making complex material — law for instance — clear and concise for lay people. I’m also great at coming up with titles and writing copy for promotional purposes or queries.

While I take my work very seriously, I don’t take myself too seriously. When my child was 4, she said to me: “On your tombstone it should say: “Let it be known that she amused her daughter.’” Having recently moved to Chicago, I jumped into writing sketch comedy and am a newly minted graduate of the Second City Writing Program.

I really enjoy the partnership between writer and editor. Whether you are writing a mystery novel, a scholarly text, or your memoir I will work with you to make your voice clear and strong; and your book a work of staggering genius. As an editor my credo is: “The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.” - Benjamin Disraeli


Services
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Fiction
Mystery & Crime Romance Science Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Women in Film Finishing Fund Award
  • Robert Halsband Fellowship 1996-1997
Certifications
  • Master of Arts in English, New York University
  • Bachelor of Arts, with a Major in English, Sarah Lawrence College
  • Graduate of the Second City Writing Program, Chicago

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2005 — Present

Writing and editing content across a broad range of subjects: mystery, science fiction, historical romance, literature, books, film, pop culture, theatre, marketing, education, news, free speech issues, law, TV history

Projects include: editing novels (recently, “Fallen Star” and “Dragon’s Shadow” by Allison Morse, published by Wild Rose Press); writing articles; writing book proposals and promotional copy; writing SEO-friendly commercial website copy for LG; copywriting for Texaco

Pearson Education

Jan, 2004 — Nov, 2005 (almost 2 years)

I edited books and digital media for English Language Learners, working with acquisitions editors, authors, designers, and production to develop books from manuscript to published text. Major projects included: Fundamentals of English Grammar Interactive by Betty Azar; Writing Academic English by Ann Hogue and Alice Oshima; and First Steps in Academic Writing by Ann Hogue.

American Booksellers Association

Nov, 2000 — Nov, 2002 (about 2 years)

I pitched, researched, reported and wrote articles and blurbs for the web and print on books, bookselling, the publishing industry, legal issues, First Amendment, library issues, and ABA’s activities. I came up with story ideas, interviewed people, covered industry events, and wrote, edited, and proofread articles under a tight deadline.

New York University

Jan, 1991 — Jun, 1995 (over 4 years)

I taught composition at the Expository Writing Program.

Jay Garon-Brooke Associates

Jan, 1988 — Mar, 1988 (2 months)

I read and assessed manuscripts for a prominent NYC literary agent. Freelance.

Doubleday

Jan, 1988 — Jun, 1991 (over 3 years)

I evaluated and edited (and in a dire case rewrote) books for a venerable mystery imprint, the Crime Club. I supervised production and copy-editing, managed author/agent correspondence, and wrote promotional and flap copy for 36 hardcover books a year. I also managed the enormous slush pile.

Portfolio

Little Creatures Everywhere

Mary Bringle

While vacationing at an old hotel in the Pacific Northwest, editor Laura McAuley finds a body in the linen closet, causing everyone to appear suspicious and Laura to feel as if she is being stalked at night
Death by Analysis

Gillian Slovo

First American edition. A near fine copy in a fine dust jacket. Dust soiling to the edges of the book's upper page block.
Knots and Crosses: An Inspector Rebus Novel (Inspector Rebus series Book 1)

Ian Rankin

Inspector John Rebus: His city is being terrorized by a baffling series of murders...and he's tied to a maniac by an invisible knot of blood. Once John Rebus served in Britain's elite SAS. Now he's an Edinburgh cop who hides from his memories, misses promotion... read more
Watchman: A Novel

Ian Rankin

From #1 international bestseller Ian Rankin, an unlucky spy gets one last chance at redemption.Miles Flint is a spy who has been making some serious mistakes. His last assignment led to the death of a foreign official in London, and after getting too close to ... read more
Mourning Becomes the Hangman by Mark McShane (1991-02-05)

Shot on Location

Hazel Wynn Jones

On location in Italy for the filming of a star-studded movie, script supervisor Emma Shaw must sharpen her detecting skills when a murder takes place on the set, and the Italian authorities are unable to catch the killer
Shards

Jo Bannister

American news photographer Mickey Flynn, recovering from a gunshot wound, visits a Popular Front terrorist training camp, not knowing that the terrorists suspect that he is an Israeli agent and are planning his death
American Ways: An Introduction to American Culture (3rd Edition)

Maryanne Kearny Datesman

This work focuses on the traditional values that have attracted people to the United States for well over 200 years and traces the effects of these values on American life.
Liars' League

David Delman

Boards. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. A fine copy in dj.
End of Term

Alastair Dunnett

A sinister group threatens the lives of hundreds of children at a school in Scotland when it attempts to kidnap a fifteen-year-old genius, as the headmaster races to find help
Fundamentals of English Grammar Interactive, Online Version, Student Access

Betty Schrampfer Azar

Azar -- The World's Most Favorite Name in Grammar Goes Interactive! Experience grammar like never before. The easy to use online Fundamentals of English Grammar Interactive from the Azar Grammar Series, combines the best of instruction and practice in one prog... read more
Writing Academic English, Fourth Edition (The Longman Academic Writing Series, Level 4)

Alice Oshima

Now in its fourth edition, Writing Academic English , by Alice Oshima and Ann Hogue, is the essential writing text to prepare high-intermediate and advanced college or college-bound English language learners for academic success. Features A step-by-step approa... read more
Dragon's Shadow

Allison Morse

Royal twins ripped apart at birth become reluctant champions of good and evil. Kylie, a teenage science geek, has no faith in people. Instead, she relies on what she trusts the most, the facts—what she can see, touch, and hear but never feel. With enough pain ... read more
The Sweetheart Deal

Allison Morse

Some people in her small community think Ellen Hamilton, business savvy daughter of the town's largest employer, is too big for her britches. After all it's the 1950s when women have no place in running corporations. When the company is threatened with takeove... read more
Fallen Star

Allison Morse

Who killed 1940s screen goddess Gloria Reardon? Her unsolved murder hypnotized the public with its scandalous details and shocked two generations. Avid feminist and aspiring filmmaker, Kate Bloom discovers long lost footage that holds the key to who murdered h... read more

Molly has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Mark D.

Mark D.

May, 2022

I'm very pleased with the Developmental Editing work that Molly provided for my latest novel, The Seattle Shuffle. Molly made numerous important suggestions that tightened up the story's pace including recommending that I cut out a complete sub-plot that was ultimately detracting from the main story. By taking her advice, the pacing improved and the story became tighter. She identified charac...
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Christina C.

Christina C.

Mar, 2022

Overall I really enjoyed working with Molly on my first novel. She was very detailed in her suggestions for improvements in my story and characters, and I do believe my book will be a lot better as a result. She is very kind and flexible with arranging payment scheduling also which I appreciate as a student! I would happily work with Molly again in the future.
Mark B.

Mark B.

Sep, 2021

Molly gives the manuscript a close read. She is sensitive to foolishness in the narrative and some uncomfortable moments the author slips in the manuscript. She is personable and encouraging. She pinpoints the problems in the manuscript but allows the author to solve them. I would highly recommend her. She is excellent. My only qualm with Molly is that sometimes she suggests changing an orig...
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Molly S.
Hi Mark, It was a pleasure working with you. Your commitment to your writing is admirable. I believe that, working together, we made a strong draft into a good, commercially viable book. It's a s...
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Alex R.

Alex R.

Aug, 2021

Molly is a terrific editor. She put a great deal of thought into how to improve my short story. I would certainly recommend her!
Molly S.
Thanks, Alex. The short story form has particular challenges. I’m curious to see what you’ll do next.
Bill B.

Bill B.

May, 2021

Very original thinker. Highly useful Would gladly work with her again which, after all, is the only thing that matters.
Molly S.
It was a pleasure to work with you, Bill. Thank you very much for the compliment. I hope to work with you again.

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