Thea Newell

Thea Newell – Editor

Big 5 publishing house editor specializing in fiction, mystery/thriller, cookbooks, self help, design and lifestyle.

Overview

After starting in journalism, I began working at a literary agency in NYC, where I specialized in vetting manuscripts of all kinds and preparing them for submission to editors. I know what sells and what doesn't, and how to maximize the potential for any given project. Currently, I work remotely in editorial at Penguin Random House, working with illustrated projects, mainly cookbooks and coffee table books, as well as self-help, health and wellness, politics, current events, design, lifestyle and more. I also edit short stories and fiction across multiple genres, particularly mystery/thriller, romance, and fantasy. I am involved in acquisitions conversations on a daily basis, and know what it takes to get an editor's attention in this industry.

I am here to assist you with your project at whatever stage, whether you simply have an idea of the book you'd like to write, or you've already completed the manuscript and aren't sure of the next step. Let's get your book published!

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Magical Realism Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller
Non-Fiction
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Penguin Random House

May, 2024 — Present

Hachette Book Group

Jan, 2020 — Apr, 2024 (over 4 years)

SKLA

Mar, 2019 — Dec, 2019 (9 months)

Portfolio

Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health

Breus PhD, Michael

Little, Brown Spark

The Good Death: A Guide for Supporting Your Loved One through the End of Life

O’Brien RN, Suzanne B.

Little, Brown Spark

Mechanic Shop Femme’s Guide to Car Ownership: Uncomplicating Cars for All of Us

Milchtein, Chaya M.

Little, Brown Spark

I Love You: Recipes from the Heart (A Cookbook)

Anderson, Pamela

Voracious

Plantas: Modern Vegan Recipes for Traditional Mexican Cooking

Soto, Alexa

Voracious

Stuzzichini: The Art of the Italian Snack

Ferrari, Stef

Voracious

Grow the F*ck Up: How to Be an Adult and Get Treated Like One (A No F*cks Given Guide)

Knight, Sarah

New Teeth: Stories

Rich, Simon

Romaine Wasn't Built in a Day: The Delightful History of Food Language

Tschann, Judith

Everybody Knows: A Novel

Harper, Jordan

Pour Me Another: 250 Ways to Find Your Favorite Drink

Hirsch, J. M.

Waypoints: My Scottish Journey

Heughan, Sam

Milk Street: Tuesday Nights Mediterranean: 125 Simple Weeknight Recipes from the World's Healthiest Cuisine

Kimball, Christopher

Milk Street: Cook What You Have: Make a Meal Out of Almost Anything (A Cookbook)

Kimball, Christopher

The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food

Samuelsson, Marcus

F*ck No!: How to Stop Saying Yes When You Can't, You Shouldn't, or You Just Don't Want To (A No F*cks Given Guide (5))

Knight, Sarah

The Bright Lands: A Novel

Fram, John

Accidentally Wes Anderson

Koval, Wally

Jeeves and the King of Clubs: A Novel in Homage to P.G. Wodehouse

Schott, Ben

The Full Plate: Flavor-Filled, Easy Recipes for Families with No Time and a Lot to Do

Curry, Ayesha

Thea has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Rachael D.

Rachael D.

Jan, 2025

Thea developmentally edited my thriller manuscript, and I can't be more pleased. She was thorough and helpful with her feedback/comments. She provided me with a nine-page, single-spaced edit letter that specified in depth the big and little issues with my story. In the manuscript, she left more c...
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Michael F.

Michael F.

Jun, 2024

Thea is exceptional. She possesses a deep knowledge of what makes a marketable, commercial novel. Her insights about plot development, characters with depth and emotions, and the economy of words are highly beneficial to a veteran writer or a debut author. She is attentive, professional, and dire...
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Thea N.
Michael is the utmost professional, and was a great collaborator. He was receptive to edits and comments, and had an incredible work ethic that showed in his final product. Michael has a great care...
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Aimie B.

Aimie B.

Jan, 2024

Thea is so thoughtful and brilliant, patient and kind, She brought new ideas to the table and threaded old ones. Deeply grateful for her insight and sense of humor.
Andrea H.

Andrea H.

Nov, 2023

I had a great experience working with Thea, and can't recommend her enough! I reached out to her after taking her book proposal class through the Writing Pad (which I also strongly recommend). She not only thoroughly line-edited my work, but also provided super-helpful feedback and comments that ...
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Robert S.

Robert S.

Mar, 2023

I contacted Thea and several other editors for a potential job, but ended up chosing one of her competitors. From the minimal interaction I had with her, it was clear she is a very serious and professional editor. Bob

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