Scott Sugarman

Scott Sugarman – Editor

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

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.
Services
Non-Fiction
History Music Political Science & Current Affairs Psychology
Fiction
Literary Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • NYU Fundamentals of Copyediting and Proofreading Books

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2018 — Present
• 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

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

W. W. Norton & Company

Jul, 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

W. W. Norton & Company

Nov, 2013 — Jun, 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

Portfolio

The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care

Raphael, Rina

At Home on an Unruly Planet: Finding Refuge on a Changed Earth

Ostrander, Madeline

The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama

Debenedetti, Gabriel

Paths of Dissent: Soldiers Speak Out Against America's Misguided Wars

Bacevich, Andrew

Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington

Kirchick, James

Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking

Hasan, Mehdi

Accidental Gods: On Men Unwittingly Turned Divine

Subin, Anna Della

The New Breed: What Our History with Animals Reveals about Our Future with Robots

Darling, Kate

Governing Texas (Fifth Edition)

Champagne, Anthony

Empire's Workshop (Updated and Expanded Edition): Latin America, the United States, and the Making of an Imperial Republic (American Empire Project)

Grandin, Greg

SPSS for Research Methods: A Basic Guide

Wilson-Doenges, Georjeanna

The Constitutional Convention of 1787: Constructing the American Republic (First Edition) (Reacting to the Past)

Coby, John Patrick

Red Clay, 1835: Cherokee Removal and the Meaning of Sovereignty (First Edition) (Reacting to the Past)

Weaver, Jace

Kentucky, 1861: Loyalty, State, and Nation (First Edition) (Reacting to the Past)

Proctor, Nicolas W.

Defining a Nation: India on the Eve of Independence, 1945 (Reacting to the Past)

Embree, Ainslie T.

The West: A New History (First Edition) (Vol. Combined Volume)

Bell, David A.

Our Time Is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America

Abrams, Stacey

The Folly and the Glory: America, Russia, and Political Warfare 1945–2020

Weiner, Tim

Scott has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bruce B.

Bruce B.

May, 2022

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 kn...
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Sejal P.

Sejal P.

Mar, 2022

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...
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Alice Y.

Alice Y.

Feb, 2022

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

Stephen S.

Jan, 2022

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. Reco...
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Sejal P.

Sejal P.

Oct, 2021

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 thought...
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