Serious Support For Serious Writers
Founded in 1980 by Renni Browne, a former senior editor at William Morrow and coauthor of the bestselling Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, The Editorial Department provides expert and highly personalized support in planning, writing, editing, and publishing all genres of fiction and nonfiction.
Our team includes 19 editors, collaborative writers, and experienced publishing professionals who collectively offer an exceptionally broad range of skills and specialties to support authors at any stage of their book’s journey to publication. Among them are seasoned veterans of the traditional publishing world, uniquely qualified to guide authors toward success, whether pursuing a traditional book deal or aiming for the highest standards in independent publishing. We also have a skilled team of ghostwriters, screenwriters, and book-planning specialists available for collaboration on fiction, nonfiction, and book-to-screen adaptations.
Our Services
Manuscript Critique
Candid, constructive editorial critiques for complete manuscripts, book proposals, and unfinished works-in-progress
Developmental Editing
Line & Copy Editing
Editing to strengthen voice, polish prose, correct errors, and ready your work for traditional or independent publication
Author Coaching
Craft-focused primers and personalized coaching on writing technique, based on your own manuscript or work-in-progress
Ghostwriting & Book Collaboration
Professional collaboration, ghostwriting, and book planning by experienced authors published in a wide range of genres
Traditional Publishing Support
Self-Publishing Support
Education, planning, and editorial support for self-publishing authors using any printer or publishing services provider
Screenplays & Screenplay Adaptations
Critique, editing, and ghostwriting services for screenplay adaptations, original screenplays, treatments, and more
Our Promises
Our Book
“The only practical guide to the craft of writing that is both inspiring and essential.”
Our Methodology
Our editors help authors hone writing skills and prepare manuscripts for traditional or independent publication by providing:
Our highly personalized approach to nurturing writers and helping them succeed has earned us feature coverage from The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Writer’s Digest, and “recommended” status by various Internet watchdog groups.Our Editors
Our staff includes a diverse mix of editors, literary agents, writing coaches, screenwriters, ghostwriters, and publishing consultants who work with our authors directly to provide as much or as little support as is needed to bring your project to fruition. Many of us are successfully published writers or have experience acquiring and editing books for major New York publishers. Others are experienced writing teachers with a passion for nurturing creativity and helping writers realize your own creative vision at the highest level possible.
Areas of fiction specialization
Areas of nonfiction specialization
Our editors specialize in providing concrete guidance and clear direction, first in making your manuscript as good as it can be, then in getting it published, and finally in giving it the best chance of success in the marketplace. Whether you’re working on your first book or your fifteenth, whether your goal is traditional or independent publication, whether you’ve got a rough draft teeming with potential or a polished final draft that’s ready to find its readership, The Editorial Department is uniquely qualified to help you succeed.
Our Clients
Our clients range from bestselling authors with loyal readerships to new writers who are just starting out on their writing journeys. You can learn more about their books here and the literary agents and publishers who brought them to fruition here.
One especially satisfying affirmation of the quality of books we have edited comes in the form of praise for our clients’ novels from authors such as Allison Brennan, Lee Child, Clive Cussler, J.T. Ellison, Lisa Gardner, Jim Harrison, Susan Isaacs, and Stephen King. Rave reviews can be found in publications that include, Booklist, Chicago Tribune, Entertainment Weekly, Kirkus, New York Times, Library Journal, People Magazine, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Times (UK), Washington Post, and many more.
Getting Started
If you’re considering working with a professional editor and feel we may be a good fit for you, the first step is to contact Ross Browne in the Tucson office. You can do this by phone at (520) 546-9992, by email at admin@editorialdepartment.com, or by visiting our online welcome center, where you can upload your manuscript and answer a few questions that will help us assess what you have and which editor(s) and service(s) may be most appropriate for your needs.
Once Ross receives all the information he needs to make a recommendation, he will contact you to discuss your options for moving forward, introduce the recommended editor(s), and provide a written quote for any pertinent service(s). At this point in the process, there’s never any cost or obligation, and Ross will be happy to answer any questions and customize the proposed editorial course, based on your project’s unique needs.
What To Expect (and What Not To)