Will Anderson

Will Anderson – Editor

Two years evaluating and editing for St. Martin's Press. Particular passion for commercial fiction including mystery, thriller, sci-fi.

Overview

I love great stories and the authors who tell them. From memoir to literature to plot-driven genre fiction, I have a keen eye for tension and flow, those all important elements that keep readers turning the page. I believe a good editor must play many roles, from first reader to project manager, salesman to therapist, providing constructive criticism alongside passionate support and encouragement. During my years in commercial publishing, I edited big books and small, first time authors and multi-book veterans. I know firsthand how the book business operates and feel that today's market is more dynamic than ever, with room on the shelves (physical or digital) for all manner of writing. With this in mind, I will work with you streamline your story and refine your pitch to reach the ideal audience for your unique story.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Fantasy Mystery & Crime Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing History Political Science & Current Affairs
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jun, 2016 — Present

As a freelance editor I work primarily on fiction. I love collaborating with first-time authors to improve clarity of plot, develop lifelike characters, and streamline writing style. I work primarily in the mystery and science fiction genres and have several Reedsy collaborations as well as a few published novels under my belt.

St. Martin's Press

Nov, 2013 — Apr, 2016 (over 2 years)

I provide editorial management for 20+ titles/year including fiction (mystery, sci-fi, historical), non-fiction (history, memoir, current events) and photo books. Duties include content editing, copy writing, author guidance and list positioning. I also routinely liaise with sales professionals, marketing and publicity personnel, literary agents, and overseas publishing houses.

Portfolio

Wraith: A Novel

Judith Reeves-Stevens

In Wraith, New York Times bestselling Reeves-Stevens team offer a no-holds-barred adrenaline rush perfect for fans of high-speed thrillers.In 1995, the CIA made a breakthrough that they hid from the world because it would change everything in modern science—bu... read more
Crazy has no memory and feels no fear. Dangerous and unpredictable, he's locked away in SafeHaven, a psychiatric hospital, where he spends the long days watching Wheel of Fortune and wondering what the outside world smells like. When a mysterious visitor arriv... read more
A Washington, D.C. lawyer and a frequent major media commentator on the Supreme Court, Anthony Franze delivers a high-stakes story of family, power, loss and revenge set within the insular world of the highest court of our country.Among Washington D.C. power p... read more
Michael Sloan, co-creator of the classic 1980s TV series, reinvents the story of the mysterious, former covert intelligence officer who helps desperate people who are in need of his unique and deadly skills.Robert McCall is a former covert operations officer f... read more
"Abramowitz brings Boston alive with rich descriptions and caffeine-fueled dialogue." —Publishers WeeklyZesty Meyers is Bosstown’s fastest bike messenger—caffeine fueled, wise-cracking and reckless—accustomed to hurtling through Boston’s kamikaze streets at br... read more
Castle of Water: A Novel

Dane Huckelbridge

"A unique, inventive exploration of love, loss, and survival." —Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale"A moving, harrowing, and downright literary novel." —Michelle Gable, New York Times bestselling author of A Paris Apartment"... read more
A dark mystery unfolds in Rio Youers's riveting thriller, The Forgotten Girl.Harvey Anderson is a twenty-six-year-old street performer from New Jersey. He enjoys his peaceful life, but everything turns upside down when he is abducted and beaten by a group of n... read more
A deliciously quirky crime novel from David McCallum, the beloved actor known for his portrayal of Illya Kuryakin on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard on NCIS. Crime pays. And pays well.Sal, Max and Enzo Bruschetti have proved this over a ... read more
"The More They Disappear delivers everything a reader could want. On one hand a compelling literary thriller, on the other a deep and generous meditation on life in a small town torn by addiction, poverty, and corruption." --Philipp Meyer, author of The SonWhe... read more
In the autumn of 1944, as Patton’s army paraded through Paris, another Allied force was gathering in southern Italy. Spearheaded by over 100,000 American troops, this vast, international army was faced with a grim task―break The Gothic Line, a series of interc... read more
There is no question that tensions between Russia and American are on the rise. The forced annexation of Crimea, the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight 17, and the Russian government's treatment of homosexuals have created diplomatic standoffs and led to a vo... read more

Will has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

KC D.

KC D.

Jun, 2017

Will's developmental edit for my historical fantasy exceeded my expectations, without question. He called out a number of opportunities for me to take the entire story to a higher level and thoughtfully identified areas where I needed to tighten up the elements crucial to keeping the reader's interest speeding along. Basically, he gave my book an MRI and walked me through the results. I couldn...
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Zack K.

Zack K.

May, 2017

Will has gone above and beyond what I had expected in so many ways. The quality of his editorial letter, notes and ideas left me more than happy I chose him. His notes have sparked a passion for my manuscript that I thought wouldn't be there going into a rewrite. And his open dialogue before, during and after the edit was extremely valuable. I'll definitely request his expertise in the fu...
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