Tania Strauss

Tania Strauss – Editor

Editor and story consultant with over a decade working on novels and screenplays. I can teach you the skills you need to tell great stories!

Overview

I'm a writer and editor from New York City with a career that spans book publishing, film, and media. It is my deepest belief that a great editor is, at heart, a teacher - so when I edit your current project, I strive to teach you storytelling skills that you will carry to all your future writing endeavors.


Early in my career I held full-time positions at United Talent Agency in Los Angeles, and The Cheney Agency in New York. Since then I've continued to work with both companies, as well as with NY Book Editors, several production companies, and authors and screenwriters at all levels.


I have extensive experience with novels and screenplays across many genres - working directly with authors as a writing coach, and with corporate clients as an editor and story consultant. My services include development and editorial work on scripts and manuscripts, scouting projects for top agencies, and analyzing books for film adaptation


Due to my ongoing relationship with United Talent Agency in particular, I've evaluated countless projects by bestselling authors and award-winning screenwriters and filmmakers. My analysis has informed creative and business decisions made by top Hollywood agents, executives, and talent.


As a writer myself, I hold a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan, and am currently getting my own fiction practice back into gear after years of neglect (or perhaps "focusing on other priorities" 😉). I also work as a creative copywriter, and have had journalism published in T Magazine, DuJour Magazine, Allure, Bustle, and many others.


My experience on both sides of the writer-editor exchange has put me in a unique position to give detailed, empathetic, and *useful* feedback that will help you craft the most effective and compelling version of your story.


I can't wait to hear from you!



PLEASE NOTE: Due to other commitments, I take a limited number of projects on this platform. Right now I'm looking for screenplays (any genre), and novels written by women. I love collaborating with authors who have already put some work into their writing, and are looking for expert feedback on their current project as well as to level-up their skills more broadly.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Plays & Screenplays Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • B.A. in English Literature & Creative Writing, with High Honors. University of Michigan, 2007.

Work experience

Self-employed

Apr, 2013 — Present

As a freelance editor of books and screenplays across many genres, companies I've worked with include United Talent Agency, The Cheney Agency, and NY Book Editors, as well as several production companies and individual author clients. My services include development and editorial work on scripts and manuscripts, scouting new projects and writers for top agencies, and analyzing books for film adaptation.

I also have professional experience as a freelance journalist, blogger, and creative copywriter. My writing has appeared in T: The New York Times Style Magazine, DuJour Magazine, Bustle, Gather Journal, Allure, and other publications.

The Cheney Agency (fka Elyse Cheney Literary Associates)

Jan, 2012 — Mar, 2013 (about 1 year)

Did in-depth editorial work on fiction manuscripts and nonfiction book proposals in preparation for submission to publishers; held one-on-one editorial meetings with current and prospective agency clients; composed editorial letters; managed the process of submitting client projects to publishers for sale; evaluated queries, proposals, and manuscripts for representation; assorted administrative tasks.

United Talent Agency

Jun, 2011 — Jan, 2012 (7 months)

Completed full written coverage on screenplays of every genre, including detailed development analysis of story, character, technique, and commercial/audience potential. Also provided similar coverage on published and unpublished book manuscripts and evaluated these works for film adaptation.

United Talent Agency

Nov, 2010 — May, 2011 (6 months)

Assisted the head of UTA’s Independent Film Group and Partner in the Motion Picture Literary Department.
Maintained relationships with with high-profile talent and industry executives; tracked project status, contracts, and moneys; provided team support at the Sundance Film Festival; provided creative input on developing projects.

United Talent Agency

May, 2010 — Nov, 2010 (6 months)

American Museum of Natural History

Feb, 2008 — Feb, 2010 (about 2 years)

Participated in all aspects of the fundraising process, including: conducting prospect research to identify potential funding opportunities; working with program staff to compose proposals and reports for major Foundation funders; coordinating the donor attribution efforts of the entire Development Department; arranging meetings, lunches, tours, and other benefits for high-level donors; assisting with Museum fundraisers and other special events.

Portfolio

Leah Vincent was born into the Yeshivish community, a fundamentalist sect of ultra-Orthodox Judaism. As the daughter of an influential rabbi, Leah and her ten siblings were raised to worship two things: God and the men who ruled their world. But the tradition-... read more
The #1 New York Times bestselling first-person account of the planning and execution of the Bin Laden raid from a Navy SEAL who confronted the terrorist mastermind and witnessed his final moments. From the streets of Iraq to the rescue of Captain Richard Phill... read more
A tour de force about three friends affected by a campus murder, for readers of Donna Tartt, Meg Wolitzer, and Jeffrey EugenidesGeorgia, Charlie and Alice each arrive at Harvard with hopeful visions of what the future will hold. But when, just before graduatio... read more
"An exciting first novel that echoes the best writing of Pete Hamill and George Pelecanos, mixed with bit of The Wire and True Detective."—The Miami HeraldThe electrifying first novel in a new crime series from a veteran Washington, D.C., reporterSarah Reese, ... read more
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE AND THE HUFFINGTON POST • Features an exclusive conversation between Julia Pierpont and Lena DunhamFor fans of Jennifer Egan, Jonathan Franzen, Lorrie Moore, and Cur... read more
The national bestseller, named a best book of the year by The New Yorker, NPR, Slate, The Economist, The New Republic, Bookforum, Baltimore City Paper, The Daily Beast, National Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Reader, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Buzzfeed and... read more

Tania has 6 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Alejandro F.

Alejandro F.

Mar, 2024

Pinned
Tania was absolutely amazing to work with! Tania was very attentive to what I wanted to achieve. My script greatly benefited from Tania's thoughts and notes. She caught things I would have never have noticed and gave me real solutions as to how to elevate the script. There's no question, I'll work with Tania again!
Tania S.
Thank you so much Alejandro! It was a pleasure to collaborate with you as well and I'm glad we could make it work.
Patti C.

Patti C.

May, 2023

Pinned
I hired Tania for a "light" development edit on a screenplay. She was accommodating coming up with a service that best fit my needs where I was at in the writing process. On a whole, her memo was well thought out, insightful, and helpful. She clearly understand the character's emotional journeys and gave valuable feedback into what was necessary to make the story more engaging, more organic, an...
Read more
Tania S.
Thanks so much for your kind words Patti! Working with you was a pleasure. I'm so glad that my feedback was helpful and wish you best of luck on all of your future writing endeavors.
Helen J. D.

Helen J. D.

Jul, 2019

Pinned
Tania was a delight to work with. Her comments on my manuscript were clear, respectful, professional, and thoughtful. She provided exactly the level of edit I hoped for and improved my manuscript immeasurably. I look forward to working with her again in the future.
Tania S.
Thank you Amy! Working with you was a delight, and I wish you best of luck with this novel and all future ones.
Nadia H.

Nadia H.

Oct, 2021

When I approached Tania with my 110-page Sci-Fi manuscript, she recommended that I do a Developmental Edit. Truth be told, I thought my manuscript was perfect and only needed an editorial assessment. However, I was seduced by Tania’s experience with both United Talent Agency in LA, and The Cheney Agency in NY and found her to be the only editor and story consultant on the Reedsy platform with ...
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Tania S.
Thank you so much Nadia, it was wonderful working with you as well!
Patty R.

Patty R.

Mar, 2020

Tania was amazing. She picked up on the strong and weak areas. Tania gave me insight on an area that I was completely unaware that I was sending mix signals to my readers. I had been writing "my story" for 25 years and it hurt when she suggested removing what I thought was a vital component to my story. However, after re-reading her suggestion, it made sense. Sometimes, you have to cut bait and...
Read more
Tania S.
Thank you Patty! I'm so glad my work was valuable to you. I can't wait to see what you come up with in the future. Best, Tania

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