Peternelle van Arsdale – Editor

Writing for an audience of readers is exposing; it’s an invitation for others to take us in and to critique us. As a long-time professional editor as well as a published novelist and essayist, I understand this from all sides; I understand how important editing is, and I also understand how vulnerable we are when seeking help for our work, no matter how experienced we might be.

As an independent editor and former executive editor, I bring to my clients a well-honed understanding of the complex task of telling a story well, and insight into the practices and expectations of the book publishing industry. From big picture to sentence level, with precision and delicacy, I guide my clients in taking their work to the highest possible level, beyond what they are able to achieve on their own.

I have been privileged to work with many highly acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors, including Isaac Mizrahi (I.M.), Stephanie Land (Class), Susannah Breslin (Data Baby), J. R. Moehringer (The Tender Bar and Sutton), Renée Rosen (Dollface), Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Sister of My Heart), Andrew Young (An Easy Burden), Tananarive Due (The Between and My Soul to Keep), Steve Lopez (The Soloist), and Cecelia Ahern (P.S., I Love You). Prior to becoming an independent editor I was an executive editor for HarperCollins, Anchor/Doubleday, Hyperion, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

I am the author of two young adult novels. My first novel, The Beast Is an Animal, has been described as “a psychologically intense fantasy” (Horn Book Magazine). My second novel, The Cold Is in Her Bones, has been praised as a “dark, magic-infused story lit by bravery and hope” (Booklist). I’ve also published essays and short fiction, and I’ve performed my personal essays for the storytelling series Generation Women.

“Peternelle is a great writer and a great editor. She has a wonderful way with words but also a great bedside manner. Not only does she have great taste; she’s constructive, and best of all, she’s always right!” — Isaac Mizrahi, author of I.M.: A Memoir

“Peternelle is one of the best editors I have had the privilege to work with. She is worth her weight in gold.” — Amy Einhorn, SVP, Publisher, Crown Fiction

“Finding an editor who sees you through the lines of your words is rare, and I felt seen by Peternelle within minutes of our first conversation. Despite an insane deadline, she was able to work with me through multiple rounds of edits on my second memoir, from a rough first draft to a polished book in a mind-blowingly short amount of time. Her thoughtful line edits and gentle suggestions told me she truly cared about my story--probably as much as I did--and I knew it was in not only capable, but kind hands. What more could a writer ask for.”

–Stephanie Land, author of CLASS: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education