Manuscript edits: Have you finished a book, and you know it needs some work that you can’t quite put your finger on? Are you querying and collecting rejections? I’ll read your novel, providing both tracked notes and an overall editorial letter, identifying the strengths and weaknesses, with advice on what to do next. We can also schedule a follow-up call for an in-depth discussion about the work.
Query package: Need someone to look over your query, synopsis, and submission pages? I know what editors and agents are looking for, and I can help you put together a package that will stand out in the slush pile.
You can contact me here to let me know what you’re looking for, and to inquire about pricing.
Why work with me? Here are some reasons!
- I’ve written eight books, including The Warehouse, which sold in more than 20 countries, The Paradox Hotel, which was named one of the best books of 2022 by NPR, and Assassins Anonymous, which was optioned for film by Steven Spielberg and hit the USA TODAY bestseller list.
- I participated twice in Pitch Wars, and both my mentees landed with solid agents and got major publishing deals.
- I worked as an editor and publisher, running MysteriousPress.com for several years, during which I edited and acquired novels, and saw a lot of the behind-the-scenes machinery.
- I’ve published more than 20 short stories, including a Star Wars story. I received a Derringer Award nomination for best flash fiction story, and my short story “Take-Out” appeared in Best American Mystery Stories 2018. I also received honorable mention in Best American Mystery Stories 2015, 2017 and 2022.
- My essays and articles have been published at places like Writer’s Digest, Salon, The Daily Beast, Criminal Element, and CrimeReads.
- I’ve ran the online writing workshop program at LitReactor for ten years, and lectured several times for Writer’s Digest.
I’ve seen a bit and done a bit, but more importantly than that, I really like talking craft and working with writers. If you’re got a manuscript that needs a boost, or someone to help you make the story crackle, I’m your guy. If you’ve got an idea and don’t know where to start and just need to spitball, we could do that too.
I’m also generally available for teaching and speaking gigs, both online, and in-person in the New York City area.
“I couldn’t be happier with Rob’s capability to help bring my manuscript to its fullest potential. He went above and beyond to work with my schedule and handled my story with the utmost professionalism and care. I recommend his editing services to anyone who takes their work-in-progress seriously, and I already look forward to tapping him for my next project.” —Jax Miller, author of Freedom’s Child
“Trusting Rob with my editing my debut novel was one of the best decisions I made. His concise comments zeroed in on needed revisions, and his encouragement gave me the confidence to know I was on the right track. And wow, was he fast. He returned my manuscript in record time, which allowed me to keep working without missing a beat. Highly recommended.” —Hugh Lessig, author of Fadeaway Joe
“Rob’s insight and guidance made my manuscript better and helped me become a better writer. His keen editorial eye saw what I set out to do with my work, and he provided me with a detailed plan toward executing that vision and fulfilling its potential. From developmental edits to fine-tuning the manuscript to be market-ready, Rob truly took my writing to the next level, and he did so with professionalism and genuine investment in the book’s success.” —Victor Manibo, Pitch Wars mentee, author of Sleepless
“Rob saw straight to the heart of my manuscript. He immediately understood what made the plot and characters tick, and then helped me build a stronger story around those. I’m consistently impressed by Rob’s sharp editorial instincts, his insight into the market, and his genuine commitment to helping writers reach their goals.” —Jennifer Mandula, Pitch Wars mentee, author of The Geomagician
Rob Hart 