Rebecca Brewer

Rebecca Brewer – Editor

Former Penguin editor of Fantasy, SF, and Horror who worked with Guy Gavriel Kay, Christina Henry, Ilona Andrews, Pirateaba, and others.

Overview

I'm a former editor from Ace at Penguin Random House and worked with many bestselling and award-winning authors. I specialize in speculative fiction, from the literary to commercial, and edit things as short as flash fiction to long epic novels. I think of myself as a professional geek!


I love almost all fantasy subgenres, including historical fantasy, epic fantasy, dark fantasy, horror, fairy tale retellings, contemporary fantasy, LitRPG, progression fantasy, and urban fantasy. In science fiction, I love great worlds and concepts, whether it is in space opera, post apocalyptic, military SF, time travel, and high concept science fiction.


I'm always looking for books that have something I haven't seen before, amazing characters that I love to follow, and creates a strong emotion in the reader, whether that is joy, humor, sadness or rage. I admit it's hard for me to say no to books that mix genres! You can sign me up for books that are quirky, unusual, dark, queer, or ones that I need to read the fanfiction for.


My editing philosophy is to help the author make their book the best it can be, while remaining true to their voice and vision. As an editor, I like to be the author’s “first” reader and fan, which can sometimes include writing comments such as “LOL”, “Oh no!” and “[Insert reader crying here]”, as well as making suggestions that could improve the novel. I hope to encourage the author to embrace their strengths, and help them learn to improve others. I want to use my sharp eye, and compassionate heart to help an author any way I can.


I consider myself a solutions focused editor. When something doesn't work, I come up with some ways that could improve the book. My favorite part of the job is collaborating with the author on how to best revise their project, and make it the best that it can be.


At age sixteen I determined that editing science fiction and fantasy novels would be the best job in the world, so I set my sights on how to accomplish that! At Emerson College, I received a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing. While there, I took a number of publishing classes and racked up 6 publishing internships, before heading to New York City. I started an internship at the worlds oldest science fiction imprint: Ace. After that, my jobs included working at the Science Fiction Book Club, being an author's assistant, and a bookseller. When an opening appeared at Ace, I officially jumped on board full time and worked there for over 7 years. I edited dozens of books, and worked with even more authors.


In 2019, I officially put out my shingle as a freelance editor and have loved it! Since then, I've worked with New York Times Bestselling authors, Fortune 500 companies, established authors, charity organizations, and writers that are just beginning their journey.

Services
Fiction
Epic Fantasy Gaming & LitRPG Horror LGBTQ Fiction Magical Realism Space Opera Time Travel Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing

Work experience

Self-employed

Aug, 2019 — Present

Specialist in developmental edits, editorial assessments and query letter critiques. As the metaphorical 'first reader' I provide compassionate and knowledgeable feedback to authors to help make their writing the best it can be, while remaining true to their voice and vision. I aim to give the author advice that they can use both in their current project, but future writing as well.

Ace/Roc/Berkley at Penguin Random House

Oct, 2012 — Jul, 2019 (over 6 years)

As an editor at Ace (under the Berkley umbrella at Penguin Random House), I edited dozens of books ranging from long running fantasy series, to new science fiction novels, to adorable cozy mysteries.

Science Fiction Book Club

May, 2011 — Oct, 2012 (over 1 year)

While at the Science Fiction Book Club, I helped select which amazing SF/F books would be available to our members. I sharpened my knowledge on what appeals to readers, and learned what the speculative fiction market wants.

Peter V. Brett

Feb, 2011 — Aug, 2011 (6 months)

As an assistant to author Peter V. Brett I came to understand the life of an author and the inner workings of being a creator.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren't finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any... read more
Developmental Editing
A Brightness Long Ago

Guy Gavriel Kay

International bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay's latest work is set in a world evoking early Renaissance Italy and offers an extraordinary cast of characters whose lives come together throug... read more
Developmental Editing
Giving the Devil His Due: Special Edition

Murray, Lee

Running Wild Press

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Convergence

Alanson, Craig

Developmental Editing
In this captivating science fiction novel from an award-winning author, public gatherings are illegal making concerts impossible, except for those willing to break the law for the love of musi... read more
Developmental Editing
From the Hugo Award-winning author of Between Two Thorns comes the first novel in a captivating science fiction series where a secret withheld to protect humanity’s future may lead to its undo... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
From the national bestselling author of Alice comes a familiar story with a dark hook—a tale about Peter Pan and the friend who became his nemesis, a nemesis who may not be the blackhearted vi... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Legion of the Damned® novels comes the final volume in the postapocalyptic military science fiction trilogy about America warring with itself ... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
From a master of science fiction comes a brand-new noir novel set in the Eight Worlds universe, where a detective hunts for the biohackers who have created a dangerous new disease.Christopher ... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The first novel in a new Cold War fantasy series, where the Berlin Wall is made entirely of magic. When a breach unexpectedly appears in the wall, spies from both sides swarm to the city as Wo... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
In the first book in an exciting new coming-of-age fantasy series from the author of the Age of Fire series, an impoverished girl enters into a military order of dragonriders, but her path won... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
First in the ghostly urban fantasy series by New York Times bestselling author Daniel José Older “Because I’m an inbetweener—and the only one anyone knows of at that—the dead turn to me when s... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
In the follow-up to the "delightful" Regency fantasy novel (NPR.org) Sorcerer to the Crown, a young woman with no memories of her past finds herself embroiled in dangerous politics in England ... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
After being commissioned to find a rare book, Librarian Irene and her assistant, Kai, head to Prohibition-era New York and are thrust into the middle of a political fight with dragons, mobster... read more
Editorial Assessment
In this charming, witty, and weird fantasy novel, Alexis Hall pays homage to Sherlock Holmes with a new twist on those renowned characters. Upon returning to the city of Khelathra-Ven after fi... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Tex-Mex waitress and part-time reporter Josie Callahan is about to serve up some Lone Star justice in this spicy Taste of Texas Mystery from the author of Here Today, Gone Tamale.Tourists are ... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
'Charismatic and very more-ish' - Mark Lawrence, bestselling author of Red Sister 'Sixty-five thousand battle-shocked, trained killers came home to no jobs, no food and the plague. What did He... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The first novel in a brand-new alternate history series where Teddy Roosevelt is president for a second time right before WWI breaks out, and on his side is the Black Chamber, a secret spy net... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment

Rebecca has 98 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Greta K.

Greta K.

May, 2023

Pinned
Rebecca was an absolute dream to work with. She has a wonderfully exacting eye for storytelling and was able to effectively crystalize areas where my story needed work, and provided ideas as to how to improve the book as a whole. She was punctual and easy to work with and truly took all the anxiety out of getting professional, critical feedback of my story. Cannot recommend more!
C C.

C C.

Mar, 2022

Pinned
Rebecca has a light touch that carries a lot of weight! Thanks to her, I was able to recognize story/character flaws that I can now focus on revising. Highly recommend.
Joshua C.

Joshua C.

Feb, 2021

Pinned
Rebecca is a true godsend whose guidance and feedback is invaluable. She didn't just provide advice on how to improve my novel--she familiarized herself with my writing style, world, plot progression, and characters. Her feedback and commentary is on-point, constructive, and warm. At no point did I ever feel her criticism to be unfair, and she always paired meaningful suggestions for improveme...
Read more
Maggie H.

Maggie H.

Oct, 2024

Absolutely loved working with Rebecca. She made comp suggestions and took multiple passes on my query letter. Never once did I feel inadequate, as her suggestions were supportive and helpful. I would 100% recommend her to anyone.
Q L.

Q L.

Aug, 2024

Working with Rebecca was great! Very professional, very helpful, super friendly, and gives great advice.

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