Among the many changes in publishing over the last 30 years years, few are of more consequence to the aspiring author than the decline of in-house editing at major publishing houses. Whether you're a first-time writer struggling to break into print or a published author whose last book did anything but make your publisher rich, the reality is the same: No matter how promising it may ultimately be, a manuscript that needs editing is much more likely to be rejected than published. This is why independent editors and manuscript consultants have come to play such an important role in the practical business of getting published. This is why we were founded. This is why we’re here.

Then...

Though the editor-for-hire market has only recently started to reflect it, the shift away from in-house editing began quite some time ago. Our founder Renni Browne witnessed its infancy from the trenches. By the late 1970s, William Morrow & Company had her on a short leash regarding the time she could spend editing. The last straw for her came when her boss told her to turn down a new manuscript from a best-selling author because she needed one month to work with him on it. She quit her job as Senior Editor in l980 and started the first multi-editor company devoted exclusively to book editing. She named it The Editorial Department because it provided the same services that editorial departments at publishing houses once offered.

Now...

Nearly thirty years later, editing is just as badly needed as it ever was—and even harder to get from a publisher's editor. And a new wave of consolidation in mainstream publishing is only making things harder for talented writers who have yet to be discovered, particularly novelists in search of their first literary agent and publishing contract.

This is why the endeavor that’s the most satisfying to us is helping a writer turn a promising first novel into a great first novel and finally a successfully published first novel. We’re proud of our track record with first-time novelists and grateful for support of the literary agents and publishers who have welcomed our clients and helped them become successful.

As the publishing environment has evolved over the years, so too has our range of services. In addition to general critiques, line editing, and traditional editorial memorandums, we offer private consultations with seasoned industry pros on matters such as query letters and synopses. When editorial work with a writer results in a strong, captivating manuscript, we make a dedicated effort to connect the writer with an appropriate literary agent. We also have a top-selling book on editing, a popular series of craft-based workshops, and an e-zine focusing specifically on matters of interest to today’s writer.

As a lover of books and as someone keenly in tune with how hard it can be for an unknown to break through in the marketplace, I’ve come to have an enormous amount of respect for writers who take on this challenge. And while I find some aspects of the industry today frustrating, I still wholeheartedly believe in the acquisitions process.

The Editorial Department approaches the year of our 30th anniversary with a renewed commitment to the high standards that are so vital in getting worthwhile projects the attention they deserve in an increasingly competitive publishing environment. We're here to help writers refine their craft, reach their markets, and develop books of genuine excellence when it comes to both concept and execution.

Ross Browne
President