Wendy Lee

Wendy Lee – Editor

I have experience of over a decade as an editor of contemporary fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery/suspense, and memoir.

Overview

I'm a book editor who started my publishing career of more than a decade at HarperCollins Publishers, working on memoir, narrative nonfiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and mystery/suspense.

In addition, I'm the author of the novels The Art of Confidence (Kensington Books), Across a Green Ocean (Kensington Books), and Happy Family (Grove Atlantic). Happy Family was named one of the top 10 debut novels of the year by Booklist. I've received fellowships from the MacDowell Colony and the Corporation of Yaddo for my writing.

As the daughter of immigrants from China, I'm especially interested in Asian American issues and love to work with writers from diverse backgrounds. I live in Queens, NYC, where I enjoy exploring the variety of food and cultural experiences the borough has to offer.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Fiction Cultural & Ethnic Historical Mysteries Literary Fiction Psychological Thriller
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Kevin Anderson & Associates

Jan, 2017 — Present
Developmental edit fiction (literary, historical, women's, contemporary, mystery/suspense, psychological thriller) and nonfiction (memoir). Write and edit memoir proposals and query letters.

Lantern Books

Feb, 2012 — Dec, 2013 (almost 2 years)
Acquired, edited, and oversaw the publication of 10-12 titles per year in the areas of health and healing, environmentalism, animal advocacy, vegetarianism, and spirituality.

HarperCollins Publishers

Feb, 2006 — Jan, 2012 (almost 6 years)
Acquired and edited titles in creative nonfiction, romance, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and mystery/suspense. Served as editorial point person for 80+ backlist titles by Agatha Christie. Authors edited include New York Times bestselling authors Lawrence Block and Kimberla Lawson Roby, national bestselling authors Angela Benson and Lynne Hinton, Agatha Award-winning author Katherine Hall Page, Indie Next Picks M. L. Malcolm and Duncan Jepson, and debut author Ann Mah.

Wendy has 14 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

David D.

David D.

Feb, 2026

Pinned
Wendy's assessment of my novel was insightful and professional, providing critical and constructive feedback that allowed me to better examine not only the work itself but opportunities to build further storied from the material. Her notes were incredibly thorough, covering all aspects of the man...
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Chris W.

Chris W.

Jun, 2025

Pinned
Wendy is an exceptional developmental editor. She is thoughtful, precise, and deeply respectful of the emotional heart of a story. Her feedback on my memoir was transformative. She immediately understood the core of the narrative and offered concrete, high-level structural guidance that helped m...
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Joy U.

Joy U.

Jul, 2022

Pinned
I'm so grateful for the tremendous level of care Wendy put into the developmental edit of my novel. First, she took the time to understand my vision for the book and my expectations for the edit, which I deeply appreciated. It was clear from the start that Wendy understood my project and my voice...
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Kristin B.

Kristin B.

Jun, 2026

Wendy provided thoughtful and thorough notes on my manuscript that were very helpful in getting it to the next stage. Her cultural lens proved particularly useful and valuable, offering a perspective that is a unique specialty here on Reedsy, and I am so appreciative for her time and care with my...
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Radhika P.

Radhika P.

Mar, 2026

I’m still working through her feedback, but I can already say it has been invaluable. Some suggestions were shocking, especially when she asked me to remove the first chapter, which I had rewritten eleven times. I did remove it, and the manuscript now feels far more streamlined and readable.

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