Rachel Smalter Hall

Rachel Smalter Hall – Editor

Development editor and book coach with extensive experience in audio. (May also have a mild obsession with RuPaul's Drag Race.)

Overview

I'm an award-winning development editor who has worked in all nooks and crannies of the storytelling business, including audiobook publishing, podcasts, film & TV development, libraries, book stores, newsletters, and book reviews.

I've worked with some of the most innovative and fearless storytellers out there, including Tony-nominee Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), Emmy-winner Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Emmy-winner Tony Hale (Veep), Golden Globe-nominee Ellen Pompeo (Grey's Anatomy), and two-time NYC Moth GrandSLAM champion Micaela Blei. I worked with Micaela to develop the audiobook You Will Not Recognize Your Life, which went on to be one of Audible's best selling original memoirs of the year and was then sold to HarperOne in a six-figure book publishing deal.

I'm now interested in consulting with individuals and organizations who have stories they want to tell but need a little help doing it. I'm excited to work with everyone from experienced storytellers to first-timers. I enjoy supporting people through the creative process and helping them discover and organize all the interesting details that make up a great story. I can help you with everything from a single brainstorming or feedback session, to a beginning-to-end collaboration that includes ideation, development, coaching, pitching, editing, and packaging. My primary expertise is in memoir and fiction, and I'm also very interested in psychology, mental health, documentary, art, and fashion.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Science Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Audible Originals

Aug, 2017 — Jan, 2026 (over 8 years)
Edited and acquired original memoirs, fiction, and podcasts for Audible Originals at Audible. Conducted audience testing and utilized research about cultural signals to create stories that listeners were hungry for. Worked with authors, celebrities, and other talent to help them find their voices, tell their stories, and make meaningful connections.

Portfolio

You Will Not Recognize Your Life

Micaela Blei

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
She Memes Well

Quinta Brunson

Audible Studios

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Chateau

Avery Bishop

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Oregon

Don Winslow

Audible Originals

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Dietrich

Don Winslow

Audible Originals

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
The Hive: A Thriller

Kuba Soltysiak

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Signal

Eric Buchman

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Pearl and the Onion

Brittany K. Allen

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Hit Singles

Octavia Bray

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Very Unbecoming

Emily Kron

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Everything Is Perfect

Kate Nason

Audible Originals

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Homecoming: A Memoir

Eddie Huang

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
The Bubbe Diaries

Paula Span

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Unspoken

Luke Daniels

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
It's Not What It Looks Like

Molly Burke

Audible Originals

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching

Rachel has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Sonia F.

Sonia F.

Jun, 2026

Working with Rachel was a wonderful experience. This was my first time working with a developmental editor, and I wasn't sure what to expect, but she made the entire process feel collaborative and encouraging from start to finish. Her feedback was thoughtful, insightful, and always delivered in ...
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Kaye S.

Kaye S.

Jun, 2026

I enjoyed working with Rachel. She has the ability to consider your whole project and make helpful comments about changes and strong points in the work. She is fast and quick, and I loved the feedback I received from her. I would definitely work with her again.
Johanna A.

Johanna A.

May, 2026

Rachel was able to draw the story I want to write out of my mind and into reality
Jay W.

Jay W.

May, 2026

Rachel is incredible! She gave me valuable feedback and a much-needed industry perspective for my querying materials and first chapter. Rachel communicates thoroughly and effectively, and kept me in the loop on her progress as she worked as well as her thought process as she looked at my story. I...
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