Patrick Price

Patrick Price – Editor

Hands-on, empathetic editor specializing in narrative nonfiction, self-help, thrillers, and YA fiction. Formerly of Simon and Schuster.

Overview

I know how to steer big ideas into even bigger books.

I'm a hands-on book editor, a writer, and a self-professed pop culture junkie with a unique combination of significant New York trade publishing experience.

My sensibility is eclectic and unabashedly commercial, including Young Adult fiction and Adult prescriptive and narrative nonfiction in the categories of celebrity memoir, relationships, modern parenting, lifestyle, self-help, humor. . . and whatever I find refreshingly irresistible.

At Simon & Schuster's pop culture imprint, Simon Spotlight Entertainment (SSE) turned Gallery Books, I acquired and edited such bestselling titles as the phenomenon HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU, Tori Spelling's tell-all memoir STORI TELLING (and all four of her subsequent bestsellers), perennial "new mommy" favorite, SIPPY CUPS ARE NOT FOR CHARDONNAY by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor, and fashion guru Tim Gunn's GUNN'S GOLDEN RULES. Most recently, I was Editorial Director at Simon & Schuster's YA imprint Simon Pulse, working with such notable authors as Sarah Ockler, Lauren Barnholdt, Tom Leveen, Terra Elan McVoy, S. E. Green, and Ann Stampler.

My unique background and skill set--I've worked for major publishers, a leading literary agency, and been thrice published (a publishing "renaissance man")--offer insightful and empathetic guidance from developed concept to demystified publication. Whether working with a first-time author or a seasoned pro, I give each project my thoughtful, undivided attention.

Authors have described my editorial style as "a writer's dream," "uncannily perceptive," "at once calming and inspiring," "contagious enthusiasm," and a "razor-sharp scalpel of just what readers want to read."

Successful publishing takes a mix of market knowledge, honed instinct, nurtured relationships, and the confidence to fight for and see through one's vision. It's not always easy. But it's what I do--and deeply enjoy.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment Parenting & Families Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sex & Relationships
Fiction
Humor & Comedy LGBTQ Fiction Thriller & Suspense Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • B.A.--English, The College of William and Mary
  • NYU School of Professional Studies, The Summer Publishing Institute

Work experience

Self-Employed

Oct, 2014 — Present

Provide contract-based line and developmental editing to best develop "voice," clarity, and narrative flow for a wide range of nonfiction and fiction projects, including recent Middle Grade novel SCOUTS published by Little, Brown as part of James Patterson's co-written BookShots line.

ASK A BOOK EDITOR

Apr, 2018 — Present

From "big picture" thoughts to expert direction in the details, ASK A BOOK EDITOR is your honest and accessible editorial soundboard. You've got my ear, expertise, and 25 years' publishing experience with the biggest publishers on the planet. Let me help demystify the process. I provide expert developmental and line editing services for both traditional and indie/self-published authors. I also offer indie publishing services, steering your work from concept all the way to finish-ready files for print and e-book format, taking care of all the often confusing procedures along the way.

Matt DeCoursey Enterprises / Realist Books

Sep, 2016 — May, 2017 (8 months)

Launched self-help/business imprint's debut titles with founder and CEO of GigaBook, comprising content development, copywriting, interior design, marketing (blog entries, book trailer, Goodreads, Amazon Author Central), and editorial feedback to client website and tie-in app.

Managed cover art direction, copyediting, production, and distribution for eBook and POD formats. All three titles ranked as #1 Amazon Best Sellers in their categories, including THE REALIST'S GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL MUSIC CAREER co-authored by Joel Cummins of Umphrey's McGee.

Simon & Schuster / Simon Pulse

Dec, 2012 — Sep, 2014 (almost 2 years)

Oversaw editorial direction of Young Adult publishing imprint with an average of 85 original and reprint titles/year, including acquisitions, scheduling editorial calendar, and weekly team meetings.

Responsible for negotiating the purchase of manuscripts with agents, consulting with authors on market, content, style and format, and writing and reviewing copy for sales and marketing materials, including book jackets, digital catalogs, SEO metadata, advertising, and title information sheets.

As project manager, partnered with Design, Marketing, Publicity, and Sales teams to develop and execute custom content and campaigns. Established and coordinated the editorial, production, and publication schedules and tracked through all stages until completion.

Pitched and creatively developed original intellectual properties (IP).

Represented Simon Pulse at major publishing trade shows and conferences.

Simon & Schuster / Simon Spotlight Entertainment (SSE) and Gallery Books

Sep, 2003 — Nov, 2012 (about 9 years)

Acquired, developed, and championed 95+ projects from negotiation through publication for entertainment and pop culture imprint, including #1 New York Times bestsellers.

Launched start-up imprint with acquisition of HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU, the publishing phenomenon that spent 57 weeks on New York Times Best Sellers list (8 weeks at #1), was translated into more than 30 languages, and spawned a lucrative franchise.

Editorial expertise in a wide range of categories: celebrity memoir, relationships, modern parenting, health, humor, self-help, narrative nonfiction, media tie-in, and commercial fiction.

Proven ease working with celebrities, including Tori Spelling, Tim Gunn, Lance Bass, Star Jones (edited her roman a clef SATAN'S SISTERS, of which VH1's original series DAYTIME DIVAS is based), Johnny Weir, La Toya Jackson, Kristen Johnston, and a couple “Real Housewives”.

Orchestrated Tori Spelling’s unprecedented publishing success, including multi-month New York Times bestsellers STORI TELLING and MOMMYWOOD, UNCHARTED TERRITORI, SPELLING IT LIKE IT IS, and her 4-color party planning guide, CELEBRATORI.

International Creative Management (ICM)

Nov, 1998 — Nov, 2003 (almost 5 years)

Portfolio

"Listen to these words and take them to heart."--JEFF COFFIN, Dave Matthews BandSo you want to be a rock star. Or the next pop sensation. Or a country music artist. Or perhaps you’re more intrigued by vital roles behind the scenes. The Realist’s Guide to a Suc... read more
FROM DEBT TO DOT COMBased in a spare bedroom in his home, Matt DeCoursey built companies that generated millions of dollars in revenue and huge amounts of profit. And he started it all with only an American Express card with an $8,000 limit and a determined vi... read more
"Can you blame a publicist for blurring the lines between what's real and what's a dream, when her client is a gorgeous actor?" --Jodi PicoultSophie is a Hollywood publicist who has a fabulous job, a fabulous boyfriend, and a fabulous life. She even scores her... read more
You're having a baby. That's it. Game over, man. Life as you know it is done. Go ahead, freak out. Comic Chris Mancini was terrified of his impending fatherhood. But soon after throwing up upon seeing the little blue line, he realized that most expectant dads ... read more
An irreverent and captivating memoir about the unexpected joys and glaring indignities of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood - from the beloved creator of the most popular personal blog on the web, dooce.com Heather Armstrong gave up a lot of things when sh... read more
Shackled

Tom L.

From author Tom Leveen comes a taut, suspenseful novel about a girl’s abduction that leaves her best friend emotionally paralyzed, until a chance encounter points her toward the truth…and a terrifying new danger.Sixteen-year-old Pelly has a master plan. After ... read more
Random

Tom L.

Who’s the real victim here? This tense and gripping novel explores of the consequences of cyberbullying.Late at night Tori receives a random phone call. It’s a wrong number. But the caller seems to want to talk, so she stays on the line.He asks for a single th... read more
A toxic friendship takes a dangerous turn in this riveting novel from the author of Where It Began.Emma is tired of being good. Always the perfect daughter to an overprotective father, she moves to Los Angeles dying to reinvent herself. This is why meeting Sio... read more
In the heart-pounding sequel to the “zippy, gripping psychological drama” (Kirkus Reviews) Killer Instinct, teen vigilante Lane must face the secrets and unexpected consequences that arise in the wake of her first kill.It’s been three months since Lane made he... read more
A teen girl version of Dexter meets the high stakes danger and mystery of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in this riveting debut.Lane is a typical teenager. Loving family. Good grades. After-school job at the local animal hospital. Martial arts enthusiast. But... read more
From the bestselling author of Twenty Boy Summer, a talented singer loses her ability to speak after a tragic accident, leading her to a postcard-perfect seaside town to find romance.The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d’Abreau was destined for stardom... read more
#scandal

Sarah O.

Lucy's learned some important lessons from tabloid darling Jayla Heart's all-too-public blunders: Avoid the spotlight, don't feed the Internet trolls, and keep your secrets secret. The policy has served Lucy well all through high school, so when her best frien... read more
Share the shame. In the days before blogs, teenagers recorded their lives with a pen in top-secret notebooks, usually emblazoned with an earnest, underlined plea to parents to keep away. Since 2002, David Nadelberg has tapped that vast wellspring of adolescent... read more
Sure, children are the greatest gift of all -- but that doesn't mean you want to be seated next to one on an airplane. From the dawn of time, other people's kids have found ways to spoil things for the rest of us. Movie theaters, parks, restaurants -- every ve... read more
At sixteen, Lance Bass received a phone call from Justin Timberlake that would change his life forever. Soon after, he left his small-town home in Clinton, Mississippi, to join an emerging musical group called *NSYNC. Two years later *NSYNC was inspiring Beatl... read more
This is a book about men. Not all men, just emotionally unhealthy men. The ones who make you question, “Is it him or is it me? Am I making too big a deal out of this? I try to tell him how I feel, but he says I’m overreacting or needy or it's all my fault.”Rel... read more
Mommywood

Tori S.

If you thought Tinseltown was tough... Tori Spelling might have grown up with everything a girl could wish for, but these days she's just another suburban working mom...whose toddler regularly recognizes her in the pages of Us Weekly. Welcome to Mommywood, whe... read more
Motherhood -- it's not for wimps. Once the zigzagging hormones and endless, bleary-eyed exhaustion of the first year have worn off, you're left with the startling realization that your tiny, immobile bundle has become a rampaging toddler, complete with his or ... read more
The moment the second line on the pee stick turns pink, women discover they've entered a world of parenting experts. Friends, family, colleagues, the UPS delivery guy -- suddenly everybody is a trove of advice, much of it contradictory and confusing. With dire... read more
On the runway of life, Tim Gunn is the perfect life coach. You’ve watched him mentor talented designers on the hit television show Project Runway. Now the inimitable Tim Gunn shares his personal secrets for “making it work”—in your career, relationships, and l... read more
He’s Just Not That Into You—based on a popular episode of Sex and the City—is tough love advice for otherwise smart women on how to tell when a guy just doesn’t like them enough, so they can stop wasting time making excuses for a dead-end relationship. It’s th... read more
She was television's most famous virgin -- and, as Aaron Spelling's daughter, arguably its most famous case of nepotism. Portraying Donna Martin on Beverly Hills, 90210, Tori Spelling became one of the most recognizable young actresses of her generation, with ... read more

Patrick has 19 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Joseph C.

Joseph C.

Oct, 2022

Patrick was upfront, insightful, and genuine from the start. His edits were truly amazing and added a unique element to my work. I would not hesitate on hiring Patrick again in the near future, he’s worth it.
Patrick P.
Thank you, Joseph!
Brooke C.

Brooke C.

Aug, 2021

As a first time author with the intent to self-publish, I have an immense amount of gratitude for the time and energy Patrick has put into this project. From the onset, he went out of his way to ensure I fully understood the editing process, expectations around timing/delivery, and took the time to thoughtfully answer the plethora of questions I had (before we even locked into an agreement). ...
Read more
Patrick P.
Thank you, Brooke!
Chase S.

Chase S.

Jul, 2021

Awesome work. Thank you!
Russell C.

Russell C.

Jan, 2021

Patrick was fantastic. He was insightful, quick, and provided great edits to my book. Additionally, he was a delight to work with and was beyond helpful in responding to my every question. He even took more time after the process for a phone call for additional questions I had. Thank you Patrick!
Patrick P.
Thank you, Russell! I wish you great success with the project.
V B.

V B.

Nov, 2020

I loved working with Patrick! He was responsive, insightful and left no stone unturned. I hired Patrick to give my manuscript a final pass-through before I began querying agents and after applying his suggestions to my book, I sent it out and received my first agent offer of representation within a week. I am so grateful that my story has had the benefit of his experience and talent and I can't...
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Patrick P.
Thanks Valarie! That's incredible news! May your hard work continue to be rewarded.