Overview
Many of my clients have gone on to sign with agents, sell their books to publishers, and receive nominations for major industry awards like the RITAs. Authors I've edited during my internships such as Sayantani DasGupta and Julie Hammerle have landed on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, respectively.
I edit all genres of YA and MG fiction. That said, if your manuscript centers around a non-queer character's journey of coming to accept a queer character for their sexuality or gender, or if it prominently features gore and intense violence, I won't be a good fit.
I pride myself on my attention to detail and structure alike, as well as my accessibility and friendliness. I push my clients to make their materials the best they can be without encroaching on their vision, and I'm always more than happy to answer follow-up questions on my notes or brainstorm how to incorporate my suggestions.
A few of my testimonials:
“Mark is like a personal fitness trainer for words. He spots the dead weight words that need trimming, rearranges phrases for better flow, and gives great suggestions to make each sentence pop. Also, he’s incredibly positive and supportive, which is huge during the torture that is revision. He’s a total pro and I’m so thankful for his help whipping my query and first chapter into shape before querying. Two thumbs up!”
—Jessica Kim, MG author of STAND UP, YUMI CHUNG! (Kokila / Penguin Random House, spring 2020)
Services
Fiction
Languages
Work experience
Writers House
•Supported the desks of senior agent Daniel Lazar and junior agent Victoria Doherty-Munro.
•Evaluated queries and manuscripts, focusing on YA and MG.
•Generated reader’s reports.
•Generated editorial letters for clients.
•Assisted the accounting office with filing royalty statements, making copies, and performing other administrative tasks.
•Managed the agency front desk by directing phone calls to agents and assistants and greeting visitors.
•Assumed the role of agent’s assistant in Victoria Doherty-Munro's absence.
•Participated in seminars focused on writing rejections, reader’s reports, editorial letters, and pitch letters under the guidance of Michael Mejias and agency staff.
Stonesong
•Supported the desks of agents Alison Fargis, Emmanuelle Morgen, Melissa Edwards, Alyssa Jennette, and Madelyn Burt.
•Evaluated manuscripts, focusing on YA and MG.
•Managed the agency query inbox.
•Liaised with potential clients on behalf of Stonesong agents.
•Managed social media content.
•Maintained office upkeep.
Self-employed
•Edit query letters and manuscripts for more than one hundred clients.
•Freelance edit for Inkyard Press, an imprint of HarperCollins.
•Sensitivity read for New York Times-bestselling and major award-winning authors.
•Critique pitches and queries for the Diverse Voices Twitter pitch event (#DVpit) as part of a team of volunteers.
Entangled Publishing
•Supported the desk of senior editor Kate Brauning.
•Evaluated manuscripts, focusing on YA.
•Drafted flap copy.
•Assisted with brainstorming titles and taglines.
•Generated editorial letters for clients, assisted with line editing, and proofread galleys.
•Served on editorial teams for titles including WHY I LOATHE STERLING LANE, THE UNCROSSING, THE NOVEMBER GIRL, ANY BOY BUT YOU, and ISLAND OF EXILES.
Portfolio
