Owen Russell, Editor in New York, NY, USA

Overview

Helping Stories Grow Wings & Take Flight

I offer one of the preeminent freelance editorial services and am dedicated to supporting authors through the writing and editing process. With well over a decade of experience, I have edited bestselling and distinguished authors, as well as newly emerging writers. The authors who have worked with me have won major literary awards and prizes, including the Pulitzer Prize, The National Book Award, The National Book Critics Circle Award, the P.E.N. Hemingway Award, and the Booker Prize, among others.

I am skilled in all genres of fiction and nonfiction. With an eye toward innovation, the writers who have worked with me are supported in all areas of their editorial needs.

"...amazing.... I've been in the business of writing for many years and I understand how tough the publishing market has become, especially for new authors. Even in a marketplace flooded with thousands of manuscripts...opened the doors to success! ...very much cared about me, my book and my future success. He was always quick to respond to calls and e-mails and made the entire process seamless. I consider myself very fortunate..."

—J. Greer, author

"...a consummate professional. He is well-versed and well-connected in the industry, and knows how to get the very best for his clients. Just as important, however, he maintains an approachability that is both comforting and calming. He is incredibly responsive and, despite having a long list of successful clients, has always been there to answer any questions I might have. ...brings to the table a tremendous amount of expertise...but also a real and tangible passion for his clients' projects. In our first phone conversation...was describing my manuscript as if he'd been studying it for months, yet he'd only had it for two days. He gets it. He cares. I can tell he truly takes pride in finding the best home for his authors and their books. ...level of service, coupled with...unmatched resources, has made this experience as seamless as possible."

—J. Wade, author

"He is professional, knowledgeable, and always makes himself available. ...a dream come true. ...patient, supportive and constantly growing with the ever-changing industry. I’m lucky..."
—N. Rose, New York Times bestselling author

"I am immensely fortunate...a pleasure from my first introduction to him at Yale Writers. He is a consummate professional at every level: experienced, skillful, astute, efficient, timely, widely respected, and most importantly, absolutely trustworthy my behalf. ...I am profoundly grateful..."

—D. McPhail, author

Services

Developmental Editing

Copy Editing

Editorial Assessment

Proofreading

Query Letter Review

Non-Fiction

Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Humanities & Social Sciences Religion & Spirituality

Fiction

Children's Contemporary Fiction Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction

Languages

English (US)

Awards

Hand Me Down Night Award of Distinction
Sleuthfest Award-winner

Certifications

BA in Writing, Literature & Publishing
Minor in Photography

Work experience

Literacy Volunteer

Family Centers

Oct, 2021 — Present

In my free time, I tutor free English language classes to adults from low-income immigrant families, via the Literacy Volunteers program at Family Centers, a nonprofit organization offering education, health and human services.

Production Assistant

Penguin Books

Aug, 2009 — Dec, 2010 (over 1 year)

• Created and executed reports to complete book deliveries and purchase orders
• Maintained department's libraries and existing vendor reports in company database
• Participated in weekly Production Meetings with Managing Editors and Operations
• Supported archivists and designers with file ordering/fulfillment on Pearson Asset Library

Owner

Self-employed

May, 2009 — Present

Pegasus Editorial Services exists to provide editorial work to writers of fiction, nonfiction, children's books and graphic novels.

Production Intern

The Daily Show

May, 2008 — Sep, 2008 (4 months)

• Served as liaison between network and studio as a script-runner
• Sat in on writers' meetings and collected various props, costumes and footage
• Remained in the control room during live shows and coordinated audience
• Ushered guests into the greenroom and oversaw their needs

Contributing Writer and Photographer

Junk Media

May, 2008 — Aug, 2009 (over 1 year)

• Wrote and edited music reviews of live shows
• Shot and edited photos from concerts and interviews
• Communicated with Editor and Managing Editor to schedule shows for review
• Worked closely with other writers at Junk Media

Founder and President

Wilde Press

Sep, 2004 — May, 2009 (over 4 years)

Emerson College's only Publishing Press. Entirely student run, publishes two student-written manuscripts every semester.
Undergraduate Students for Publishing aims to educate students by providing professional publishing experience in a judgement-free environment.
To achieve this goal, the executive board runs a myriad of events, including panels with industry professionals, skills-based workshops, and career-oriented meetings. Additionally, the executive members serving will hold informational meetings to teach members the publishing vocabulary, give them resources on the publishing world, and keep them aware of the current events of the business. To put all of these lessons into action, the club publishes two student manuscripts (through Wilde Press) and a genre-fiction literary magazine (Generic) each semester. Pub Club welcomes all students at Emerson College, regardless of background, major, or publishing experience.