Scott Sugarman

Scott Sugarman - Editor

New York, NY, USA

Editor with nine years' experience in college and trade nonfiction publishing, specializing in history and psychology.

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Overview

As an editor with substantial experience in college and trade nonfiction publishing, I've worked extensively with authors, other editors, marketers, and sales representatives to conceptualize, develop, and market a wide array of books and digital learning resources. Whether you're looking for someone to help you structure a book or chapter, tighten up copy line-by-line, or correct proofs, I'm a flexible, focused collaborator who can help you realize your vision. Most of my work has focused on history and psychology, but I'm available for editing projects in any genre, field, and discipline; I'm skilled at quickly familiarizing myself with subject matter and conveying it in language crafted for a target audience.

Recent notable projects have included
-Stacey Abrams's Our Time Is Now (proofread)
-MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan's Win Every Argument (proofread)
-Give Me Liberty! (Seventh Brief Edition), the #1 US history textbook (copyedit)

I'd be enthusiastic to take on fiction projects as well. I have degrees in English and French literature and have extensive knowledge of contemporary and classic literary fiction.
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
History
Music
Political Science & Current Affairs
Psychology
Fiction
Literary Fiction

Certifications

  • NYU Fundamentals of Copyediting and Proofreading Books

Work experience

Freelance Editor

Self-employed
May, 2018 – Present (almost 5 years)

• Develop manuscript and copy in close collaboration with authors
• Copyedit and proofread
• Developed storyboards for interactive figures--including mini experiments, a 3D interactive brain, dynamic graphs and maps, and surveys--in a groundbreaking digital-first introductory psychology online textbook; worked with authors and developers to standardize content level, user experience, and functionality
• Evaluated instructor reviews of interactive figures; submitted revisions of alpha, beta, and gold builds
• Wrote and revised adaptive quiz and review questions and feedback for the previously mentioned introductory psychology text

Media Editor, Psychology

W. W. Norton & Company
May, 2017 – May, 2018 (about 1 year)

• Established strategy for and managed creation of all digital products on the college psychology list, including adaptive quizzes, interactive figures, videos, online labs, ebooks, and numerous instructor resources ranging from test banks to PowerPoints
• Line edited copy in the aforementioned products
• Collaborated closely with print editors and marketing manager to ensure alignment of digital products with textbook content and market research
• Communicated project goals and requirements to production managers, project editors, permissions managers, IT, in-house developers and designers, and department directors
• Wrote marketing copy for all digital products
• Supervised associate media editor and assistant media editor

Associate Editor, History

W. W. Norton & Company
July, 2015 – May, 2017 (almost 2 years)

• Oversaw development of and research for primary source features, maps, photos, line art, captions, timelines, glossaries, and chapter review materials for market-leading college textbooks
• Edited titles in role-playing game series: evaluated proposals for new titles, acquired games, developed manuscript with authors, oversaw production, and wrote marketing copy
• Managed authors and contributors
• Corrected galleys and proofs

Assistant Editor, Psychology

W. W. Norton & Company
November, 2013 – June, 2015 (over 1 year)

• Managed authors and contributors
• Composed questionnaires for and coordinated manuscript and textbook reviews
• Corrected galleys and proofs
• Hired, trained, and supervised editorial interns

SPSS for Research Methods: A Basic Guide

Wilson-Doenges, Georjeanna

Governing Texas (Fifth Edition)

Champagne, Anthony, Harpham, Edward J., Casellas, Jason P.

Scott has 10 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Bruce Brodie
Scott did and excellent job. He did a meticulous job adapting many references and the text to APA format. More importantly, he provided numerous suggestions for changes that were insightful and very helpful. He pointed out many areas of duplication that we eliminated and he showed insights and knowledge of the complex material. I had to do more revisions than I expected, but it was well worth i...
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Bruce Brodie, May 2022


Sejal Patel
This is my second time working with Scott. He had worked with me previously on a brief nonfiction book description and outline, helping me pull out key themes, organize my thoughts and providing frank (but encouraging) feedback on my content. I accepted the majority of his comments as i worked out a more detailed 20+ page outline, which Scott also recently reviewed. Scott is great - upfront...
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Sejal Patel, March 2022


Alice Yuen
Scott has been wonderful to work with. Will surely engage him again if I have another need!

Alice Yuen, February 2022


Stephen Sweeney
Really enjoyed working with Scott. Scott provided a comprehensive editorial assessment of my manuscript, with plenty of clear and useful ideas on how to develop the project. He was very knowledgeable and understood the subject matter. Also professional and quick to respond on all queries. Recommend.

Stephen Sweeney, January 2022


Sejal Patel
I worked with Scott on a chapter outline and description for a book manuscript. Scott was responsive and engaged. He took the time to understand where I was in my writing process and the type of editing and feedback that would be most useful to me. His review and comments on my work were thoughtful and clarifying and will help greatly in better organizing my manuscript. I look forward to wor...
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Sejal Patel, October 2021

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