Steven Genise

Steven Genise – Editor

Author, freelancer, and former prose editor for CASCADIA MAGAZINE, focusing on literary fiction/creative nonfiction.

Overview

I am currently an acquisitions editor for Split/Lip Press, and was formerly the prose editor for CASCADIA MAGAZINE, a nonprofit dedicated to publishing and supporting the underrepresented authors of the Pacific Northwest. In the past, I have interned for Counterpoint Press, where I worked on books by Wendell Berry, Gary Snyder, on the National Book Award Finalist collection REFUND by Karen Bender, and on the Barnes and Noble Discover Award-winning THE LIGHTKEEPERS by Abby Geni. I have also interned for McSweeney’s, where I worked on the bestselling WHITE GIRLS by Hilton Als, as well as THIS BRIDGE WILL NOT BE GRAY by Dave Eggers.


I love working with writers with the goal of not just improving the text, but helping the author express their truth. I take a careful eye to the tone and language, but I see the editorial process as a collaborative one, and one that arrives at the most faithful intent of the author through communication and cooperation with them. I especially enjoy working with new and emerging writers who are trying to hone their skills and learning the publishing landscape for the first time.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Nature
Fiction
Literary Fiction Themes & Motifs
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Split/Lip Press

Jul, 2020 — Present
Acquisitions editor for novel- and novella-length works. I help find the highest-quality fiction from both emerging and established authors, selecting a small number for publication from a pool of several hundred submissions through collaboration and discussion with the fiction editor and a team of five or six fellow acquisitions editors.

Cascadia Magazine

Dec, 2018 — Jun, 2020 (over 1 year)
Acquisitions editor for fiction and certain creative nonfiction, also provide developmental editing, copy editing. Help organize readings and events for authors to promote their work, and have partnered with the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, the Jack Straw Foundation, and other local nonprofits.

Counterpoint Press

Aug, 2015 — Dec, 2015 (4 months)
Worked on projects by Wendell Berry, Gary Snyder, and others. Worked on the National Book Award finalist collection REFUND by Karen Bender, and the Barnes and Noble Discover Award-winning THE LIGHTKEEPERS by Abby Geni.

McSweeneys/The Believer

Aug, 2014 — May, 2015 (9 months)
Worked on the bestselling collection WHITE GIRLS by Hilton Als, as well as THIS BRIDGE WILL NOT BE GRAY by Dave Eggers, along with other projects. Provided copy editing, fact checking, and certain developmental edits for THE BELIEVER, and some acquisitions reading for novel submissions.

Steven has 18 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Andrew B.

Andrew B.

Jun, 2025

Steven was great! He was highly efficient and professional.
Lisa M.

Lisa M.

Dec, 2024

Seems like a really nice guy but that's not what a review should be based on. I got the feeling the job was rushed due to the editor notes were incorrect and not in the work submitted. Either he misunderstood important facts or he rushed through, since his "dog was at the vet." Also, he doesn't...
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Amanda R.

Amanda R.

Sep, 2024

Steve was excellent to work with. His feedback was instrumental to brining the manuscript to print-ready. He was able to do a comprehensive copy edit and give plenty of researched and thorough feedback and suggestions. Especially after working with him for the developmental edit of my book, this ...
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Karen M.

Karen M.

Aug, 2024

Steven went above and beyond in giving me a critique for the first 2 chapters! He provided many insights I would have never thought of and offered a lot of ideas to tighten the manuscript. Thanks, Steve!
Will S.

Will S.

Aug, 2024

Steve proofread my short story collection and did an incredibly thorough job. He poured over every line for readability and correctness, providing minor corrections where appropriate, and adding helpful comments for issues of clarity. On top of that he offered suggestions for the publication of t...
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