Nicole Ellul

Nicole Ellul – Editor

A Senior Editor at Simon and Schuster with a decade of experience; passionate about books, storytelling, and the creative process.

Overview

Having been fortunate enough to work in editorial at the heart of NYC, I approach storytelling with more of a marketing mindset in regards to out-of-the-box thinking. I have been truly lucky to work with numerous hard working and talented individuals and I have edited three New York Times bestsellers along with books that have been wonderfully successful for the Simon Pulse imprint. I am passionate about collaboration in the creative process and find that my strengths rest in developing the best plots and atmospheres possible to compliment character development, topical themes, and achieve that necessary cathartic response from readers--whether readers are looking to escape or connect. Most importantly, I am here to unlock and support the message and story that the author is passionate about sharing!

I've worked on books in various genres of Young Adult that crossover into the adult marketplace--from contemporary, historical, science fiction to light fantasy. Included in those are the New York Times bestsellers,
Love & Gelato and Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch, and The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw.
I also edited the highly successful Mila Gray romances and the critically acclaimed Jenn Bennett books, along with Indie Next Picks, Sky Without Stars and The Chaos of Standing Still. In working with such creative authors, I use my editorial skills to assist in fluidity of plot, character development, and emotional engagement while helping to sprinkle the manuscript with a bit of magic and stardust. I'm here to give big picture notes on rough drafts and also line editing notes that focus on the details such as emotional growth and dialogue.

The world of an author can feel like a solitary one, but as an editor I try to make sure that the author never feels alone during the drafting process, making myself readily available to an author when they have questions, are stuck in a specific section of the story, want to bounce ideas off someone and see what sticks, or, my favorite--whipping out that white board and doing some fun story building. I'm all about enjoying the creative process and it's more fun when you have someone to share it with! Remember, my goal is to help enhance the story you have built in that creative mind of yours!

I have worked mainly in YA, specifically in the genres of romance, light fantasy, magical realism, speculative, and space opera, but I also have experience in Middle Grade fantasy.


Services
Fiction
Middle Grade Fantasy Young Adult
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Simon & Schuster

Oct, 2019 — Present

Responsible for acquiring and editing books and working closely with all departments to see projects through to publication. Develop in-house projects and review back list titles to creatively reintroduce them back into the market. Oversee the publication strategy for the Simon Pulse list.

Simon & Schuster

Apr, 2018 — Oct, 2019 (over 1 year)

Acquire and edit a number of projects to grow the Simon Pulse brand and ensure that authors' works are entering the marketplace in a responsible and creative way.

Simon & Schuster

Feb, 2016 — Apr, 2018 (about 2 years)

Acquired and edited a number of titles while growing my expanding list and looking into backlist titles and engaging in creative and marketable ways to utilize past titles in the current marketplace.

Simon & Schuster

Feb, 2014 — Feb, 2016 (about 2 years)

Built my list as an editor, acquiring and editing titles through publication while also assisting the Editorial Director and being the point person for other departments.

Simon & Schuster

Feb, 2012 — Feb, 2014 (about 2 years)

Supported the publisher of the Aladdin and Simon Pulse imprints with intense administrative work. I was also the assistant to the Editorial Director where I assisted in the editing process of a number of highly acclaimed and anticipated books in the Simon Pulse imprint, including those from Jodi Picoult and Philippa Gregory.

Bloomsbury Children's Books

Feb, 2011 — Feb, 2012 (about 1 year)

Assisted two editors with a multitude of editorial tasks, including giving editorial notes and analysis on middle grade and young adult projects, reviewing the slush pile, developing reader's reports, writing description copy, providing design feedback, and brainstorming titles.

Sleeping Bear Press

May, 2010 — Nov, 2010 (6 months)

Worked as an Editorial Intern assisting on a number of picture books and middle grade projects. Was later hired as a freelance writer.

Portfolio

Nicole has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

B B.

B B.

Sep, 2020

I've had the pleasure to work with Nicole twice, and both times she's exceeded my expectations with her incredibly detailed review and suggestions. She's friendly, responsive, and timely. Five perfect stars with a confetti blast to boot.
Casey S.

Casey S.

Aug, 2020

Writing your first book is an incredibly lonely and difficult journey for anyone to undertake... selecting an editor to trust with your work, even more so... However, I know that Nicole was the right choice for me. Her valuable feedback was thought out, poignant, and supportive. Cutting to the point when needed, but also making you feel like you have a champion truly invested in your work, st...
Read more
B B.

B B.

Jul, 2020

An absolute pleasure to work with. Responsive, timely, and most vitally, thoroughly invested in the manuscript and overflowing with suggestions and ideas. A brilliant collaborator!

Professionals similar to Nicole

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Taryn O.

Taryn O.

Exceptional, attentive Romance and YA copyeditor/proofreader with an MA in English lit + 14 years of experience at Harlequin/HarperCollins

Toronto, ON, Canada

100% reply rate

View profile
Hanna Richards

Hanna R.

Copyeditor and proofreader who teaches grammar for the University of Washington. My clients include Penguin Random House and HarperCollins.

Seattle

100% reply rate

View profile
Frances Moloney

Frances M.

Editor, writer & literary consultant with over ten years of experience, specialising in commercial and literary children’s fiction.

London, UK

100% reply rate

View profile