Freelance book editor
 

helping serious Memoir and Fiction Writers take their work to the next level.

 
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Services 

 

I work closely with authors at every stage of their journey, whether they're gearing up to submit their manuscript to an in-house editor, aiming to land a literary agent, or considering self-publishing.

 

General Critique

Are your characters complex? Is their behavior credible? Is the story well-paced? Does the plot have tension? Will readers be compelled to see the story through to the end?

A professional’s evaluation — drawing from my years working as an acquisitions editor at a leading publishing house. I’ll carefully read your manuscript, offering insights into its strengths and weaknesses, along with personalized recommendations for improvement.

DEVELOPMENTAL EDIT

For writers who’d like a deeper level of feedback. I’ll read your manuscript several times, providing margin comments throughout the text, pointing out specific issues, asking questions, letting you know which lines sing, and providing prompts to help you deepen the characterization and storytelling.

You’ll also receive a detailed editorial letter providing greater context to my line-specific notes.

 

LINE EDIT

Once a manuscript has undergone a developmental edit and is structurally sound, I’ll polish and fine-tune your prose so it reads more fluidly.

QUERY LETTER REVIEW

A strong query letter involves more than spelling an agent’s name correctly. I’ll make sure yours stands out from the pack (in a good way!).

READING GROUP GUIDES

For publishers. Customized reading group guides to meet your needs. Samples available upon request.

About Me

 
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Hi! I’m Ronit.

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, you will receive an honest evaluation of your work and gain a deeper understanding of the tools and techniques to enhance it.

 
 

Among the authors I've worked with are #1 NYT-bestselling author Jennifer Weiner; Alka Joshi, whose book THE HENNA ARTIST was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick; renowned cartoonist and playwright Jules Feiffer; and U.S. Senator Carl Levin. Previously, I worked for the Nan A. Talese imprint of Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House, where my books included finalists for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the National Jewish Book Award, the NAACP Image Award, the Thurber Prize for American Humor, the PEN Award for Biography, and the Minnesota Book Award.

Before my career as an editor, I earned a BFA in theater from Syracuse University, where I honed my knowledge of storytelling and dramatic theory.

I’ve participated as a panelist at the Writers’ Conference at Hunter College, the Jewish Book Council, and the Sarah Lawrence Writing Program. My essay “Publishing Nonfiction: A Look Behind the Scenes” appears in The Business of Writing (Allworth Press, 2012).

After spending over a decade in New York and New Jersey, I now live in metro Detroit with my two children.

Featured in:

 

Editorial Portfolio

 
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Testimonials

 
Testimonial Gallery

"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, New York Times bestselling author of THE HENNA ARTIST

“Ronit’s editorial critiques were so spot on and well expressed that I often believed I’d thought of them myself. She’s able to hone in on the heart of a story and help the author fully express that core, while trimming away that which does not serve it. She was incredibly responsive, whether helping me structure a novel in progress or in refining and line editing one that was more complete. I am lucky to have had her as my editor on two novels.”

—Allison Amend, author of ENCHANTED ISLANDS and A NEARLY PERFECT COPY

“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, author of CUT ME LOOSE

“Ronit provided me with a windfall of helpful feedback on my memoir draft—she is a wonderful mentor and ‘midwife.’ 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,’ which was lacking in the original draft. Her gentle guidance helped me write in a way that was more emotionally compelling for readers. 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!”

—Natasha Scripture, author of MAN FAST

“When you work with Ronit you get more than a talented and seasoned editor, you get a whole team. Ronit’s editorial comments give you at least three or four different kinds of useful reads at once: you get the sharp, savvy evaluations of a senior editor at one of New York’s most prestigious publishers, the visceral reactions of a reader who loves good writing, and the personal touch of your super-smart friend who’s deeply invested in your success. Her comments always go directly to the heart of the matter, without fuss. Without fail, her edits sent me back to my drafts with renewed energy, clarity, and confidence.”

—Avi Steinberg, author of RUNNING THE BOOKS

 
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Contact

 

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