Tania Strauss – Editor

A narrative storytelling expert with a 16+ year career that spans Hollywood and book publishing, I know what it takes to hook your reader and keep them coming back for more. And as a lifelong writer with an extremely varied practice, I know what it’s like to *actually write.*

Spoiler alert: it’s very, deeply rewarding and can also be very, deeply hard. And everyone does it a little bit differently, and needs a slightly different kind of help.

That's why I offer detailed, empathetic, and *genuinely useful* creative guidance to help you break through blocks and craft the strongest version of your story.

I studied Creative Writing at the University of Michigan and spent my early career at United Talent Agency in Hollywood and then The Cheney Agency in New York. I was mentored by some of the best agents in the business(es), whose clients included award-winning authors, screenwriters, and filmmakers. At UTA I developed a specialty doing "script notes" and analyzing books for film adaptation; at Cheney I became an in-house editor of both fiction manuscripts and nonfiction book proposals, for clients whose projects regularly sold to Big Five publishers. I also read and responded to hundreds (thousands??) of query letters and submissions.

After going solo I continued to work with both UTA and Cheney Agency, as well as Lauren Kay Writes Editing Agency, several production companies, and authors by direct referral. You can read more in my work history below, but in short: I’ve spent a lot of time in “gatekeeper” roles, so I know what film and publishing professionals look for in a project. And having worked across genres and formats in multiple industries, I know storytelling inside-out.

But most importantly, I've spent my career (and life) around incredible creative people, and understand firsthand what writers need to thrive. So if we work together, you'll get expert insight into your current project, and tools to level up the skillset - and the mindset - you’ll bring to all your future creative endeavors.

TESTIMONIALS:

"Tania could see the book I was trying to write and gently, brilliantly guided me towards it. She is a savvy editor who brings clarity and kindness to her work. Her insights helped me see my work with new eyes, and her thoughtful edits gave me confidence and excitement to approach my next revision."

- Lior Torenberg; "Just Watch Me," Simon & Schuster

"Working with Tania was a turning point in the development of my book proposal. She’s more than an editor, she’s a creative partner who knows how to take big, ambitious ideas and shape them into something marketable and compelling. If you’re looking to bring your voice to the page in a way that’s both meaningful and effective, I can’t recommend her enough."

-Denise Love Hewett; entrepreneur, podcaster and public speaker