Tiffany Hawk

Tiffany Hawk – Editor

I'm a traditionally-published novelist and editor who particularly loves women's fiction, travel themes, and memoir.

Overview

You are a talented and dedicated writer, but you want expert help to take your book to the next level.

I get it! I’ve been there, and I know exactly how hard it is to see what’s special about our own stories and what might be standing in the way of success.

I’m a traditionally published novelist with an MFA in creative writing and more than 15 years experience editing. Six of those years were spent as a magazine editor, so I know what gatekeepers are looking for when sifting through the slush pile. And as a freelance writer myself — NY Times, LA Times, StoryQuarterly, National Geographic Traveler, NPR — I am also intimately familiar with querying and with putting my heart out there for the public to judge. Whew, this business can be as painful as it is amazing! That’s why in addition to helping you hone things like language and plot and character and structure, I offer a boatload of moral support.

Here’s to rocking this book without feeling overwhelmed or alone!

I'd love to help you with your query letter or manuscript, so if you'd like to learn more, get in touch. We can set up a free consultation and see if we're a good fit.

TESTIMONIALS

"Tiffany’s practical advice and common sense approach to writing, editing, and publishing have been invaluable. Writers are emotionally invested in their work – that’s normal and to be expected – but Tiffany helped me see that approaching agents and editors does not have to be an emotional roller coaster ride. Tiffany instills confidence in the writers she mentors. She is encouraging but honest in her comments, always keeping the big picture in mind. More than anything, she wants you to succeed and to find the fulfillment you seek as an artist.”
— Debbie Graber, author of Kevin Kramer Starts on Monday, finalist for the 2014 Flannery O’Connor Prize

"Thanks to Tiffany, I currently have seven agents reading my novel manuscript! Before working with her, I’d queried agents and gotten no response despite having the opening chapter of my book published in a major journal. I’d thought my query and synopsis were good but thanks to Tiffany, they are SO much stronger and now in sync with the voice of my main character. Tiffany also gave me incredible notes on my opening three chapters which have streamlined the story and improved the book. She is positive yet completely honest, a perfect combination for an editor. I am grateful she took me on."
— Robert Kerbeck

"Tiffany is a dream editor: Kind and patient but also critical and thorough. She makes writers and writing better.”
— Tina Dupuy, nationally syndicated columnist

"Tiffany engaged in my project from day one, and she never flagged in her enthusiasm and deep consideration for my work. So many times I would read a comment or idea from her and wonder ‘why didn’t I think of that?’ She gives constructive criticism but provides it in supportive and helpful terms. My work is absolutely more polished and has greater depth thanks to her. I cannot recommend Tiffany’s editing services highly enough, and it’s partly due to her timely and insightful feedback that I was able to secure my dream agent! “
— Re Marzullo

“When I was stuck in the middle of a partially completed manuscript, Tiffany got me to “The End.” Not only do I adore Tiffany personally - boy, has she helped keep me motivated - I feel lucky to have worked with a published author who really understands storytelling. My work is richer and more nuanced as a result."
— Dr. Liz Alexander

“Tiffany has been by my side from the very first draft all the way to publication. Her edits are constructive and intuitive. She’s a thoughtful critic who demonstrates a profound sensitivity to both the story and the writer’s goals. In addition, Tiffany comes from the valuable place of experience. She knows what it’s like to struggle with writing draft after draft, finding an agent and publisher, and marketing her work. I couldn’t have done it without her!"
— Andee Reilly, author of Satisfaction
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Travel
Fiction
Historical Fiction Humor & Comedy Literary Fiction Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • MFA in creative writing

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2014 — Present

I’m a traditionally published novelist, experienced editor, and enthusiastic writing coach who helps aspiring novelists and memoirists go pro. Whether I'm coaching a writer through a first draft, helping revise a query, or editing a full manuscript, I love to find what’s amazing about a story and help the author develop the courage and skill to confidently share it with the world.

Coast magazine, Preferred Destinations magazine

Feb, 2005 — Feb, 2012 (about 7 years)

As Travel Editor of Maggie Award-winning Coast magazine and Editor-in-Chief of Preferred Destinations magazine, I not only primed these mags for publication, I reviewed queries and assigned stories. I know what gatekeepers are looking for and how it feels to sit on both sides of the desk.

Self-employed

Jan, 2002 — Present

My novel, LOVE ME ANYWAY, was published by Thomas Dunne/St. Martin's Press, and my stories have appeared in such places as The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, StoryQuarterly, National Geographic Traveler, and NPR.

Portfolio

The Price of Safety

Bland, Michael C.

Flying Alone: A Memoir

Ruggiero York, Beth

A good story improves with the telling, and nothing improves a travel story more than something going wrong. Once the anguish fades, the frustration, embarrassment, danger, and inconvenience provide great material for a tale that can be told again and again. T... read more
"Now in the 14th year of its Noir series--which has collected original stories from Brooklyn to Istanbul to Lagos--Akashic has assembled a delightfully dark collection of fiction from Hong Kong, a city where talk is cheap and cash is still king."--Ritz-Carlton... read more
A darkly funny, compulsively readable debut novel about two young flight attendants coming of age at 35,000 feetWhen twenty-three-year-old Emily Cavenaugh's marriage to her abusive high school sweetheart ends, she trades in her dull smalltown life for an all-a... read more
When 22-year-old Ginny Martin discovers her husband has been cheating on her, she strikes back by purchasing tickets to every concert on the Rolling Stones North American tour with their shared credit card, packing up the car, and taking to the road. As she fo... read more
How does a woman who grew up in rural Indiana as a fundamentalist Christian end up a practicing Jew in New York? Angela Himsel was raised in a German-American family, one of eleven children who shared a single bathroom in their rented ramshackle farmhouse in I... read more
Kevin Kramer is the new senior vice president of the Products Profit center at Production Solutions. He’s worked hard for all his success. It’s taken him years to perfect a non-clammy handshake. But Kevin Kramer harbors many dark secrets. In fact, for everyone... read more

Tiffany has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Majido K.

Majido K.

Feb, 2021

Tiffany was a delight to work with. Her thorough and detailed editorial letter was accompanied by her constructive and complimentary feedback of my manuscript. I appreciated everything about Tiffany from her encouragement to her vision. She also offered a couple of options to take my first draft to the next level. I look forward to continuing partnering with her in the near future as I chi...
Read more
steve B.

steve B.

Jun, 2020

Transformative. Tiffany was able to discern a unifying story arc to a book that I had intended to just be a series of stand alone short stories. She counseled me on how to create a bit more depth to character development and setting without bogging down the plot. Her per chapter analysis provided helpful advice and counsel without smothering my 'Voice'. She finished her evaluation almost 7 w...
Read more
Kelly M.

Kelly M.

Dec, 2019

Wow is the most fitting word to describe Tiffany's feedback. She promptly, efficiently and thoroughly reviewed the pages I sent, offering many nuggets of wisdom in her comments, and just plain old good advice. I'm more inspired than ever to continue writing! Thank you so much, Tiffany! I can't wait to work with you more!
Emile B.

Emile B.

Jan, 2019

I knew my novel was good, but I didn't have a clue about writing a winning query. After weeks of floundering in the dark, Tiffany gave me the guidance and feedback I needed to get myself out of the slush pile. Smart, experienced and easy to work with. Highly recommended.
Tiffany H.
Thank you, Emile. It was such a delight to work with you. Your openness to making changes and your clear dedication to targeting the right agents, the right way will help you stand out from the cro...
Read more

Professionals similar to Tiffany

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Katie Caruana

Katie C.

Editor with fourteen years' experience in publishing, specializing in proofreading of women's fiction and memoirs.

Boston, MA, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Amanda Rodgers

Amanda R.

Indexer and proofreader with several years of experience, with special interest in theology, music, and cookbooks.

Newmarket, ON, Canada

100% reply rate

View profile
Nicholas Herrmann

Nicholas H.

Editor specialising in memoir, travel and speculative fiction. Over a decade's experience working with world-renowned publishers and brands.

Edinburgh, UK

100% reply rate

View profile