Willie Fitzgerald

Willie Fitzgerald – Editor

Editor with an MFA from the Michener Center specializing in literary fiction, commercial fiction and short stories.

Overview

I'm a fiction writer, playwright and editor looking to help you write your best book. I am a recent Fiction Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, have an MFA from the Michener Center for Writers, and have published a number of short stories at places like Prairie Schooner, Joyland Magazine, and Boulevard, where my story was a finalist for the 2023 Best American Short Stories.

I've had the pleasure of doing developmental edits on books like Kristen Arnett's best-selling debut Mostly Dead Things (Tin House) and Isle McElroy's The Atmospherians (Atria). I think and edit like a writer, paying particular attention to where the piece wants to go, and then working with you to meet it there.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Humor & Comedy LGBTQ Fiction Literary Fiction Plays & Screenplays Short Story
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown

Work experience

Heidi Pitlor Editorial

Jan, 2024 — Present
I offer developmental editing, line-editing, and coaching for writers of literary, commercial and historical fiction, along with short story collections, personal essays, and memoir.

American Short Fiction

Jun, 2022 — Present
As a senior editor, I help select stories for publication, edit those stories at the structural and line level, and seek out and solicit promising new writers.

American Short Fiction

Sep, 2021 — May, 2022 (9 months)
As the inaugural Mari Sabusawa Fellow, I helped American Short Fiction publish three issues of the magazine, served as lead editor on three stories, and helped develop programming and logistics for our first-ever Summer Writing Workshop.

Michener Center for Writers

Sep, 2018 — May, 2021 (over 2 years)
The Michener Center for Writers at UT–Austin is one of the nation's most prestigious MFA programs. I studied with writers like Elizabeth McCracken, Laura Van Den Berg, Edward P. Jones, Claire Vaye Watkins, Bret Anthony Johnston and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. In addition to working on my own writing, I also developed an editorial practice by reading works-in-progress of my classmates, many of whom went on to publish debut novels during or shortly after graduation. Along with fiction, I studied screenwriting, playwriting, and poetry.

Portfolio

Mostly Dead Things

Arnett, Kristen

Developmental Editing
True Failure

Higley, Alex

Coffee House Press

Developmental Editing
The Atmospherians: A Novel

McElroy, Alex

Developmental Editing
The Caretakers: A Novel

Bestor-Siegal, Amanda

Developmental Editing
With Teeth: A Novel

Arnett, Kristen

Developmental Editing

Willie has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bill W.

Bill W.

Jul, 2026

Willie is a thoughtful and perceptive collaborator. His suggestions are based on insights into not only what might make the work better, but what you, as the writer, are trying to do with your story. Highly recommended.
Willie F.
Thank you, Bill! It was a pleasure reading and talking with you about "The Smoke Hole" and writing in general. Here's to many days of great fishing and future collaborations. All the best, Willie

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