Bio

R.J. Cavender is the twice Bram Stoker nominated editor of the +Horror Library+ anthology series from Cutting Block Press. Horror Library IV (co-edited with Boyd E. Harris) won the 2010 reader's choice Black Quill Award from Dark Scribe Magazine in the Best Dark Genre Anthology category.

R.J. is a publishing consultant and editor on the upcoming Horror For Good: A Charitable Anthology which includes stories by Bram Stoker winning authors Jack Ketchum, Ray Garton, Ramsey Campbell, and Benjamin Kane Ethridge. He was also a contributing editor at Dark Recesses magazine and has worked closely with some of the most talented authors in the horror genre. He has edited both fiction and non-fiction over the years, and while his genre of choice over the last decade has been predominantly dark fiction and horror, he also enjoys comedy, memoirs, and edgy crime-noir. Cavender is available for manuscript annotation, evaluations, acquisitions consultations, and concept development.

In his own words:

While my favorite genre is dark fiction and horror, I’ve worked on every sort of project imaginable, from sci-fi and fantasy to memories and even a cookbook. My favorite services are Annotated Notes and my own +First 50 Pages+ special.

I consider the annotated notes to be a very hands-on approach to editing, where I read and often reread certain sections, leaving copious amounts of close notes in the margins as to what’s working, what’s not, and addressing what changes can be made to give your manuscript the best chance at garnering the interest of an acquisitions editor for publication. I think of it in terms of being a manuscript mechanic in many ways. I like to roll up my sleeves, pop the hood, and look at all the moving parts in an effort to diagnose what’s causing that clunking sound when you have a manuscript that’s not quite working and getting rejection letters instead of acceptances.

Preferred Genres

Absolute favorite fiction genre: horror and thrillers

Preferred fiction genres: horror, mystery/suspense, political thrillers, mainstream fiction, literary fiction, action/adventure, dark and paranormal fantasy

Genres R.J. prefers not to work on: sports

Absolute favorite nonfiction categories: true crime and memoirs

Other areas of interest in nonfiction: police procedural and unsolved mysteries, entertainment, travel, social science/science, health/mind/body

Testimonials

"Honestly, I didn't expect much before I began to work with RJ. But after his initial annotations, I discovered that he knew exactly what he was doing, so much so that it seemed he could read my mind and fill in the blanks that I'd missed. RJ is a phenomenal editor with skills that surpass what anyone would consider "normal" in the editing business. He has the ability to zero in on exactly what a line of dialogue needs, how to bring a character to life, and how to make each chapter zing! His insights into reader expectations are just shy of magical."

Joy D.

Bessemer, AL

"All of the staff I've encountered at TED have been very professional and helpful, Jane Ryder in particular. They are also very friendly and approachable. The annotations I've received from R.J. Cavender have been extremely insightful and beneficial. I've very much enjoyed my experience with this great company, and look forward to working with them again in the future."

Rena M.

Olympia, WA

"From Jane Ryder to the amazing R.J. Cavender, my experience with The Editorial Department has been outstanding! Jane's customer service and enthusiasm is wonderful, and R.J. is a pleasure to work with, and an asset to my writing career. "

Jason Reinhardt

Tucson, AZ

"Loved working with RJ! He really inspired me with his enthusiasm for my project but most of all, he found some things that I would not have seen that were critical to the final product and I am most grateful and will definitely be using him again in the future! Awesome job!"

Shelley Kaehr

Lewisville, TX

This feedback is posted with permission. If you've worked with us and would like to share your comments, please use this quick form.

Special Offer

A Special Offer, Just for Horror Writers: + The First 50 Pages +

I'm offering discounted pricing on a special manuscript annotation package for the opening chapters of any horror manuscript, up to 2,500 words and including a half-hour follow-up session of phone consultation for a fee of $150. Manuscript annotation is a hybrid service combining a written critique (addressing what works, what can work better, and how to give a manuscript the best shot at successful publication) with copious close notes in the text of the manuscript itself, providing further feedback , comments, and suggestions to help push the work to the highest level possible. 

Submissions

Interested in working with R.J.? Please visit our editor availability inquiry center.

Articles

Horror is Dead! (Again?)

Pitch to Impress: How to Stand out From the Convention Crowd