Ronit Wagman

Ronit Wagman – Editor

Editor of NYT-bestselling and award-winning literary fiction and memoir. Former acquisitions editor at Doubleday/Penguin Random House.

Overview

Hello, and thanks for stopping by! Among the authors I've edited are #1 NYT-bestselling author Jennifer Weiner; Alka Joshi, whose book THE HENNA ARTIST was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick; renowned cartoonist and author Jules Feiffer; and U.S. Senator Carl Levin.


I collaborate with writers at all stages of their careers, whether they’re preparing to deliver a manuscript to an in-house editor, hoping to land a literary agent, or looking to self-publish. I provide writers the sharp eye of a seasoned editor, the gut reactions of an avid reader, and the invested interest of a supportive friend. Whether you're seeking the broad guidance of an editorial assessment or the nuts-and-bolts feedback of a developmental edit, I'll provide an honest evaluation of your work and a deeper understanding of the tools and techniques that will allow your story to shine.


For over a decade, I acquired and edited books for Nan A. Talese/Doubleday. I earned a BFA in musical theater from Syracuse University, where I honed my knowledge of storytelling and dramatic theory. I'm happy to share samples of previous work.


"What a pleasure it was to work with Ronit! Her insightful comments and spot-on suggestions helped make THE HENNA ARTIST the kind of novel that readers want to get lost in, devour and recommend to all their friends!”

—Alka Joshi, THE HENNA ARTIST


“Ronit's feedback helped me finesse my manuscript so that it was in great shape and ultimately helped me land a US deal. I am forever grateful! Ronit provided me with a windfall of helpful feedback on my memoir. She was both supportive and insightful, helping me to draw out the central themes in my book and encouraging me to dig deeper so that I was able to get more ‘blood on the page.' Her gentle guidance helped me write in a way that was more emotionally compelling for readers.”

—Natasha Scripture, MAN FAST


“Ronit was an exceptional editor. She seemed to have an intuitive sense of what I was trying to describe and helped me figure out the clearest way to express myself. She was kind, sensitive and generous and always framed her suggestions in an encouraging and empowering way. I learned so much from Ronit. Her editing made my book immeasurably better.”

—Leah Vincent, CUT ME LOOSE

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Coming of Age Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Literary Fiction New Adult Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Barnes & Noble Discover selection (On the Come Up)
  • Finalist for the LA Times Book Prize (Isabella: The Warrior Queen)
  • Finalist for the National Jewish Book Award (Backing into Forward)
  • Finalist for the NAACP Image Award (On the Come Up)
  • Finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor (The Lost Book of Mormon)
  • New York Times Notable Book (Saul Steinberg: A Biography)
  • Indie Next List (The Drowning House)
  • Longlisted for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography (Isabella: The Warrior Queen)
  • Finalist for the Minnesota Book Award (The Healing)

Work experience

Penguin Random House Inc.

Nov, 2011 — Nov, 2015 (about 4 years)

Random House Inc.

May, 2009 — Nov, 2011 (over 2 years)

Random House Inc.

May, 2007 — May, 2009 (about 2 years)

Random House Inc.

May, 2005 — May, 2007 (about 2 years)

Detroit Metro Times

May, 2003 — Aug, 2004 (over 1 year)

Pitched and wrote articles on art, theatre, and culture for Detroit’s largest alternative newsweekly, including a 4,000-word cover story that was featured on the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies’ website.

The Daily Orange (Syracuse University)

Sep, 2000 — May, 2003 (over 2 years)

Portfolio

The Healing

Jonathan O.

Plantation mistress Amanda Satterfield’s intense grief over losing her daughter crosses the line into madness when she takes a newborn slave child as her own and names her Granada. Troubled by his wife’s disturbing mental state and concerned about a mysterious... read more
An electrifying memoir about a young woman’s self-destructive spiral after being cast out by her ultra-Orthodox Jewish familyIn the vein of Prozac Nation and Girl, Interrupted, this brutally honest memoir tells the story of one woman’s struggle to define herse... read more
The award-winning cartoonist, playwright, and author delivers a witty, illustrated rendition of his life, from his childhood as a wimpy kid in the Bronx to his legendary career in the arts. A gifted storyteller who has delighted readers and theater audiences f... read more
An NAACP Image Award FinalistAn ALA/YALSA Alex Award NomineeAnnMarie is growing up fast. After years of living in foster homes and homeless shelters, the twelve-year-old girl can take care of herself and her ailing mother. At thirteen, she's competing with oth... read more
Inspired by the midcentury memoirs of Frances Conway, Enchanted Islands is the dazzling story of an independent American woman whose path takes her far from her native Minnesota when she and her husband, an undercover intelligence officer, are sent to the Galá... read more
Avi Steinberg is stumped. After defecting from yeshiva to attend Harvard, he has nothing but a senior thesis on Bugs Bunny to show for himself. While his friends and classmates advance in the world, Steinberg remains stuck at a crossroads, his “romantic” exist... read more
Mourning for her daughter and her crumbling marriage, photographer Clare Porterfield returns to her childhood home in Galveston, Texas, hoping to find distraction in mounting an exhibition featuring the island’s vivid history. Things haven’t changed much durin... read more
Elm Howells has a loving family and a distinguished career at an elite Manhattan art auction house. But after a tragic loss throws her into an emotional crisis, she pursues a reckless course of action that jeopardizes her personal and professional success. Mea... read more
The gripping story of the author’s aunt, a Jewish dance instructor who was betrayed to the Nazis by the two men she loved, yet managed to survive WWII by teaching dance lessons to the SS at Auschwitz. Her epic life becomes a window into the author’s own past a... read more
Is the Book of Mormon the Great American Novel? Decades before Melville and Twain composed their great works, a farmhand and child seer named Joseph Smith unearthed a long-buried book from a haunted hill in western New York State that told of an epic history o... read more

Ronit has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Maria M.

Maria M.

May, 2023

Working with Ronit was a pleasure and I very much felt like she "got me." Her enthusiasm for my story made me feel that yes it is actually possible that I could complete a novel which I would be proud to have written. Her editorial letter was full of good suggestions that led to a very profitable phone conversation. Ronit has that way of addressing a story problem as if this were something we ...
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Ronit W.
Thank you for your extremely kind words, Maria. It was a pleasure collaborating with you on this manuscript, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of its development. I wish you the bes...
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Shaun B.

Shaun B.

Dec, 2022

Ronit helped me re-craft my query letter for my novel. She helped me to hone in on the essentials and tighten the letter overall. She was always professional and worked quickly. Thanks to her, I am already starting to receive requests for my manuscript based on the query letter alone.
Ronit W.
So happy to hear it! Good luck!!
Kamaria C.

Kamaria C.

Oct, 2022

Ronit provided thorough, thoughtful feedback on the first draft of my fiction novel. In addition to commenting on its strengths and weaknesses, she recommended concrete next steps that I can take to revise it. The depth of her expertise and knowledge came through in her work, and I would recommend her to other writers seeking support with their manuscripts.
Ronit W.
Thank you for your generous review, Kamaria! I'm glad to hear that my feedback was helpful. I truly enjoyed working with you and offering insights, and I'm excited about the progress you'll make wi...
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Patty G.

Patty G.

Apr, 2022

Very detailed and complete editing job. Was easy to work with Ronit and definitely recommend her for editing projects. I ended up putting my book on hold but it was for other reasons.
Katie B.

Katie B.

Apr, 2022

The experience with Ronit was beyond helpful. She is professional, timely, detailed, and critical - all of the things an editor should be. She helped me to see some rather glaring flaws in my writing (the appropriate reality check) but also provided encouraging words to keep at it, as well as tips on how to improve the problem areas. I hope to work hard and get my writing back to her in a few ...
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Ronit W.
Katie, thank you so much for your wonderful review! I'm thrilled to know that the experience of working together was helpful and inspiring. Thank you once again for entrusting your work to me, and ...
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