Samantha Zaboski – Editor

*~December 2024 Update: Currently Booking for January 2025~*

I'm a developmental editor and line editor with a decade of editing and publishing industry experience, and four years of literary agency experience.

I received my master's in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College and my bachelor's in Professional Writing from King's College, with a second major in Psychology. My master's degree program included coursework in manuscript editing, copyediting, book publishing, marketing, and publicity, taught by professionals active in the industry.

My editing style focuses on strengthening while maintaining voice. My comments and suggestions are framed not just to suggest what can change, but to explain why I'm suggesting a change. In this way, I aim to equip my authors with a deeper understanding of tactics for mastering voice, plot structure, pacing, and character development. Ultimately, my goal is to help you find the best resolutions that fit your vision, voice, and story.

FREE SAMPLE EDIT

I provide a free sample edit of first pages to determine if we'd be a good fit, so please don't hesitate to reach out with a sample so that we can start discussing your project.

SERVICES

Editorial Assessment: Broad strokes overview of what's working, what isn't, and why.

Developmental Edit: No-stone-unturned assessment of the manuscript aimed at guiding a revision that will make your manuscript stronger in every way.

Copyedit: Correction of true errors including grammar, usage, internal consistency, capitalization, and spelling.

Line Edit: Thorough improvement of overall storytelling, including strengthening voice, flow, pacing, and dialogue; plus, all the work of a copyedit.

GENRE SPECIALIZATIONS

-Adult Speculative Fiction including Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Magical Realism

-Adult Literary and Contemporary Fiction

-Young Adult Speculative Fiction including Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Magical Realism

-Young Adult Literary and Contemporary Fiction, including coming-of-age themes

I am very excited to work on projects featuring and celebrating LGBTQIA+ characters and manuscripts written by BIPOC authors.

I'm not the best fit for religion- and philosophy-heavy fiction, political satire, or animal allegory.

BACKGROUND

I worked for literary agent Lana Popovic, previously of Chalberg & Sussman, for four years. I read dozens of manuscripts with an eye toward improving each manuscript's saleability to publishers. For each manuscript, I wrote an editorial letter critiquing the story, outlining issues with plot, characters, themes, and overall narrative arc. I also fielded all of Lana’s queries, which required knowledge of the current market. Once manuscripts were ready to sell, I created submission lists of publishing imprints appropriate for each project, as well pitches to acquiring editors at major publishing houses.

As publicist and rights manager for the University Press of Florida, I worked directly with authors to promote their books, pitch them to media outlets, and negotiate and manage rights deals, including motion picture options.

I'm a reviewer for Shelf Awareness, where I review books prior to publication, staying abreast of the current book market.

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have prior to working together. I look forward to hearing from you!