Whitney Ross - Editor
Current literary agent and former editor of NYT bestselling genre fiction, both YA and adult, with a decade of experience at Macmillan.
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Overview
First and foremost, I am a reader and book lover. Until January 2018, I was a senior editor at Tor Books (a division of Macmillan), with a focus on YA and genre fiction. During my time there, I was fortunate to edit a variety of bestselling and award-winning authors, including Susan Dennard, Cora Carmack, Eric Van Lustbader, Steven Erikson, Katie McGarry, Ann Aguirre, Dan Wells, and Stacey Kade.
Books I acquired and edited were both commercially and critically successful--New York Times bestsellers, Indie Next Picks, and many starred reviews. I now am a literary agent* at a New York based agency, Irene Goodman Literary, and in my spare time offer editorial services here on Reedsy. It's a competitive market in publishing, so "good enough" isn't going to cut it. I so enjoy helping authors polish their manuscript into the best version it can be.
In an editorial assessment, I read your full manuscript and send you a letter providing feedback on the general structure and elements such as plot, pacing, world-building, structure, character development, and more. This is essentially a first step.
A developmental edit is a full-length, detailed edit of your manuscript. During my 10 years as an editor at Macmillan, I edited countless manuscripts across a variety of genres, and I pull on that experience to give notes specifically tailored to your novel. I write both an editorial letter and notes throughout the manuscript in track changes, addressing all the elements of plot, structure, character development, world-building, etc. that are mentioned above, but in much greater detail. I also include a line edit for phrasing and style.
In a query review, I provide feedback on what is essentially your 30-second elevator pitch to agents and editors. Agents see thousands upon thousands of queries per year, and yours must stand out to make an impact. In this review, I provide notes on your query addressing professionalism, phrasing, and selling your work in the most effective manner possible to give your manuscript its best chance.
To each new manuscript or query, I bring over a decade of experience at one of the big-five publishing houses, an in-depth knowledge of storytelling and structure, and a deep and abiding love of books. I'm honest and truthful with my feedback, though (hopefully) kind. I want to be the most help I can be, and create a partnership both of us enjoy! I look forward to working with you.
*To avoid a conflict of interest, I cannot agent projects I have edited via Reedsy. Thanks for understanding.
Languages
English (SA)
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Fantasy
Paranormal Romance
Romance
Science Fiction
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Certifications
- New York University SCPS: MS in Publishing
Work experience
Literary Agent
Irene Goodman Literary Agency
January, 2018
–
Present
(over 2 years)
I am currently an agent at the NYC- based Irene Goodman Literary Agency, established over 40 years ago! IGLA represents a wide range of distinguished authors, including critically acclaimed and bestselling novelists, memoirists, essayists, journalist, designers, and Film/TV personalities.
Senior Editor
Macmillan - Tor (Imprints Tor, Forge, & Tor Teen)
May, 2009
–
January, 2018
(over 8 years)
For over 9 years, I was an editor at an imprint of Macmillan. I acquired and edited a number of NYT bestselling authors in adult, YA, and middle grade, and also worked with some very fun video game franchises.
Portfolio (13 selected works)
Truthwitch: A Witchlands Novel (The Witchlands Book 1)
Susan Dennard
On a continent ruled by three empires, everyone is born with a "witchery," a magical skill that sets them apart from others. Now, as the Twenty Year Truce in a centuries long war is about to end, the balance of power-and the failing health of all magic-will fall on the shoulders of a mythical pair called the Cahr Awen.The biggest thing on Safi and Iseult's minds is saving money for their plann... read more
Roar: A Stormheart Novel
Cora Carmack
New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack's young adult debut: Roar. In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained ... read more
Like Never and Always
Ann Aguirre
"An intense, emotional, compelling read." —Kate Elliott Liv Burnham thinks nobody knows Morgan Frost like she does, but a terrible accident pushes her down the rabbit hole where Morgan's secrets hide and she'll be lucky to make it out alive.... New York Times bestselling author Ann Aguirre shines light on the secrets we keep and asks how well we truly know the ones we love best in her riveting... read more
The Fallen: A Testament Novel (The Testament Series Book 2)
Eric Van Lustbader
The Fallen: A new, pulse-pounding thriller from Eric Van Lustbader, the New York Times bestselling author of the Jason Bourne series and The Testament. The End of Days has been predicted for the last two thousand years. Now, without warning, it is upon us. In a hidden cave in the mountains of Lebanon, a man makes a fateful discovery. He will bring what has been forbidden for thousands of years... read more
The Planet Thieves
Dan Krokos
The Planet Thieves is the first thrilling installment of a new middle-grade series by Dan Krokos.Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt. The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter.But routine goes out the airlock when they're attacked... read more
Ghost Planet
Sharon Lynn Fisher
The fifth anniversary edition of GHOST PLANET.Psychologist Elizabeth Cole prepared for the worst when she accepted a job on a newly discovered world--a world where every colonist is tethered to an alien who manifests in the form of a dead loved one. But she never expected she'd struggle with the requirement to shun these "ghosts." She never expected to be so attracted to the charming Irishman ... read more
Starlight Nights
Stacey Kade
In this sizzling companion to the critically acclaimed 738 Days, Stacey Kade once again creates a masterful combination of romance, angst, and thrills in the backdrop of a Hollywood film set.At twenty-two, Calista Beckett is trying to overcome her early fame and fortune. The former savior of the world on Starlight is now a freshman at college—miles away from L.A. and her former existence. She ... read more
Hi. My name is John Cleaver, and I hunt monsters. I used to do it alone, and then for a while I did it with a team of government specialists, and then the monsters found us and killed almost everyone, and now I hunt them alone again.This is my story.In this thrilling installment in the John Wayne Cleaver series, Dan Wells brings his beloved antihero into a final confrontation with the Withered... read more
Willful Child
Steven Erikson
From the New York Times Bestselling author Steven Erikson comes a new science fiction novel of devil-may-care, near calamitous and downright chaotic adventures through the infinite vastness of interstellar space.These are the voyages of the starship A.S.F. Willful Child. Its ongoing mission: to seek out strange new worlds on which to plant the Terran flag, to subjugate and if necessary obliter... read more
Psychologist Madeleine LeBlanc is desperate to escape the madness that has followed her family for a century. She's struggling to adjust to her new-found power and to stick to the pact that protects her sanity. But an innocent little boy is being hunted—by Madeleine's half brother and her great-grandmother, Chloe, and by the demons they control. The boy is a threat to their bloodline, to their... read more
In a world where marriage doesn’t exist—only seven-year contracts—you don’t marry, you sign. You don’t divorce, you breach. And sometimes, you just expire.Kate is struggling to find her footing. She gave up a career she hated to pursue the law, and now she’s buried in debt and unemployed. At least she’s signed to an amazing guy—hot, sweet, and committed. Enter the contract killer, the man who ... read more
Firebrand (Rebel Angel Series Book 1)
Gillian Philip
At the end of the sixteenth century, religious upheaval brings fear, superstition, and doubt to the lives of mortals. Yet unbeknownst to them, another world lies just beyond the Veil: the realm of the Sithe, a fierce and beautiful people for whom a full-mortal life is but the blink of an eye. The Veil protects and hides their world…but it is fraying at the edges, and not all think it should be... read more
Only a Breath Apart: A Novel
Katie McGarry
Bestselling author Katie McGarry’s trademark wrong-side-of-the-tracks romance is given a new twist in the gritty YA contemporary novel, Only a Breath Apart. They say your destiny is carved in stone. But some destinies are meant to be broken.The only curse Jesse Lachlin believes in is his grandmother’s will: in order to inherit his family farm he must win the approval of his childhood best frie... read more
Whitney has 4 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
It's a pleasure working with Whitney. She provides concise notes with constructive explanations. She is personable and sensitive to an author's position with their work. She focuses on developing an author's potential and maintaining an author's authenticity, all the while with a keen eye on the marketplace. A real gem. Highly recommend.
Naomi Blass, July 2020
Whitney's feedback is clear, straightforward, and insightful. She returned my query and pages ahead of schedule with notes that will help move my MS forward. I love it when I learn something new. I'm glad I went with Whitney! Highly recommend.
Naomi Blass, May 2020
I want to write another novel just for the chance to work with Whitney again. I felt my work was respected, my ideas were preserved, and my writing was pushed to be its very best. Whitney is professional, generous and kind. I feel so fortunate to have connected with her!
Lindsay Zibach, March 2020
She is professional, friendly, sharp, and exceptionally knowledgeable. 10/10.
Christopher Perkins, February 2020
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