Since 1980: 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 support in planning, revising, and editing all genres of fiction and nonfiction. Our editors help authors hone their writing skills and prepare manuscripts for successful traditional or independent publication by providing:
- Candid, constructive editorial critiques to identify what works, what needs work, and how to give your book the best chance of success in the marketplace
- In-depth guidance on revisions and rewrites, based your own objectives and the unique needs of your manuscript
- Expert line editing, copy editing, and proofreading from highly credentialed editors you work with directly
- Highly personalized lessons, education, and guidance on story craft and writing technique
- Comprehensive help from seasoned industry insiders in pitching your work to literary agents and publishers
- Professional collaboration, ghostwriting, and adaptation support for fiction and narrative nonfiction projects
- A wide range of development, editing, and writing support for screenplays and screenplay adaptations
Our Services
For Novels, Narrative Nonfiction, Short Stories, Screenplays, Academic & Scholarly Works
Our Staff
Our staff includes a diverse mix of editors, screenwriters, ghostwriters, and publishing consultants, who work with our authors directly (or sometimes in teams) 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 their creative vision at the highest level possible.
Editor recommendations and assignments are handled by Ross Browne, based on your objectives, needs, and genre. We’re more than happy to entertain requests for specific editors, and you’ll find complete bios on all our staff by clicking here.
Areas of fiction specialization
Mystery, suspense, and crime fiction
Thrillers
Romance and women’s fiction
Speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, etc.)
Literary, mainstream, and upmarket fiction
Christian, spiritual, and New Age fiction
Young adult (YA) and middle grade fiction
Short stories and short story compilations
Southern fiction
Historical fiction
Areas of nonfiction specialization
Memoir
Biography and autobiography
Self-help
Science, nature, ecology, and the environment
Philosophy
History, politics, and world events
Sports
Food, wine, and lifestyle
Travel
Religion, theology, and spirituality
Our clients range from bestselling authors with loyal readerships to new writers who are just starting out on their writing journeys. Our highly personalized approach to nurturing writers and helping them succeed has earned us feature coverage from The New York Times, Publisher’s Weekly, Writer’s Digest, and “recommended” status by various Internet watchdog groups.
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 Promises
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.