New York Publishing House
Prose Over Polish: A Thriller’s Edge Restored
The editors’ willingness to prioritize narrative authenticity over “clean” prose. After I pushed back, they revised the manuscript to preserve the protagonist’s moral ambiguity and unapologetically dark choices, resulting in a gripping final version that stayed true to my vision. The initial edits diluted the protagonist’s complexity, leaning toward conventional hero/villain tropes. Developmental editors should discuss genre-specific tone and character nuance upfront—especially for morally gray protagonists—to avoid backtracking.
Overall Feedback:
A rocky start, but their ability to pivot and honor the story’s grit earned my trust. Recommended for crime/thriller authors—just clarify your character’s edges early to skip the “smoothing” phase!- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2025
From Generic to Stunning: A Historical Fiction Cover Transformation
The designers’ ability to take feedback and completely reimagine the cover was incredible. After I shared examples of 19th-century art styles, they incorporated weathered textures and period-accurate typography, creating a cover that perfectly captures the vintage aesthetic I wanted. It now stands out beautifully on shelves! The initial design felt too generic and missed the mark on the historical tone I was aiming for. A deeper exploration of genre-specific styles and client preferences upfront could prevent the need for major revisions later.
Overall Feedback:
While the first attempt didn’t quite hit the mark, their responsiveness and creativity in the redesign process were outstanding. The final cover exceeded my expectations, proving their talent and commitment to delivering a standout product. Highly recommend for authors who value collaboration and attention to detail!- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024
Surface Edits to Substantial Impact: A Manuscript’s Transformation
The editor’s willingness to pivot and deepen their feedback. After I raised concerns, they provided rich, theme-driven insights that sharpened the narrative arc and character development. The final manuscript felt polished, cohesive, and far more impactful—turning my frustration into pride. The initial edits were disappointingly shallow, focusing on surface-level fixes while overlooking deeper character and thematic opportunities. Proactively asking authors about their priorities (e.g., character depth vs. pacing) upfront would set clearer expectations.
Overall Feedback:
While the start felt underwhelming, their ability to elevate the edits after collaboration proved their expertise. Recommended for writers who want both polish and depth—just clarify your goals early to fast-track the magic!- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024
Over-Sanitized Edits Recalibrated into Magic
Their ability to recalibrate after feedback. By preserving the protagonist’s raw, emotional edges while sharpening the pacing, they struck a perfect balance—keeping the story’s soul intact while elevating its structure. The final manuscript felt both polished and authentically gritty. The initial edits prioritized “clean” prose over the story’s necessary rawness, risking its emotional core. Editors should discuss tone and stylistic boundaries upfront to avoid stripping away what makes a narrative unique.
Overall Feedback:
A lesson in collaborative editing! While their first pass felt tone-deaf, their willingness to pivot and honor the story’s grit proved their skill. Recommend for authors who value nuance—just clarify your non-negotiables early to fast-track the magic.- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024
Trust the Process—It Paid Off!
After I voiced my concerns, they adjusted their approach to focus on tightening the plot while preserving my protagonist’s unique quirks and edgy voice. The final manuscript struck the perfect balance between polished storytelling and authentic character style. The initial edits felt too heavy-handed, smoothing out intentional quirks in my protagonist’s voice. A more collaborative discussion upfront about stylistic preferences could prevent unnecessary panic for authors.
Overall Feedback:
Though the first round stressed me out, their responsiveness and willingness to adapt turned things around completely. The result was a stronger novel that kept my voice intact—proof that communication and trust matter!- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024
From Misguided to Masterpiece: A Cover Design Journey
The final cover design was hauntingly beautiful and perfectly captured the gritty, atmospheric tone of my historical fiction novel. The design team’s willingness to reimagine the artwork based on my feedback and reference images transformed a generic draft into a cover that authentically embodies the story’s essence. The initial draft missed the mark entirely, leaning into romance novel aesthetics instead of historical fiction’s darker, atmospheric vibe. Better genre-specific research or asking for stylistic references upfront could prevent such mismatches and streamline the process.
Overall Feedback:
While the first attempt fell short, their collaborative spirit and dedication to iteration led to a stunning result. Recommended for authors who are prepared to give clear, specific feedback—creativity thrives here, but clarity is key!- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024
A Robotic Start Saved by Theatrical Brilliance
The replacement voice actor transformed the project. With theater experience, they expertly captured the quirky humor and suspense of my cozy mystery, and securing the Audible "New & Noteworthy" feature skyrocketed visibility. The audiobook now outsells the paperback—a result I never anticipated! The initial narrator choice was shockingly mismatched—a monotone voice for a quirky novel. Pushing back against my valid concerns wasted time and added stress. Better casting protocols and proactive client collaboration during early stages are critical.
Overall Feedback:
Their stubborn start nearly sank the project, but their eventual flexibility and the replacement narrator’s talent turned it into a win. Recommend cautiously—be prepared to fight for quality control upfront, but know they can deliver excellence under pressure.- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024
A Generic Start Saved by Viral Creativity
The redesigned campaign was a game-changer. Their Solve the Mystery Instagram challenge went viral, and partnerships with true crime podcasts created electric buzz. Landing on Publishers Weekly’s Must-Read Mysteries list was the ultimate validation—far exceeding my initial expectations. The first proposal was shockingly lazy for a premium service—stock social media posts and a forgettable blog tour. Their default approach lacked originality, and it’s unacceptable to charge top-tier rates without tailored strategies upfront.
Overall Feedback:
New York Publishing House redeemed themselves with creativity after being challenged, but clients shouldn’t have to push for basic effort. Worth considering if you’re prepared to aggressively steer them toward innovation—their "Plan B" saved the campaign.- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024
A Bumpy Editing Start Redeemed by Exceptional Results
The turnaround after raising concerns was outstanding. The senior editor assigned to me meticulously reworked my manuscript, transforming it into a polished, authentic version that stayed true to my voice and vision. Securing a feature in Kirkus Reviews was an incredible bonus, adding significant credibility to my book. The steady climb in sales and the professional support in the later stages made the partnership worthwhile. The initial editing phase was rushed and disappointing—overlooked typos, awkward phrasing, and a lack of alignment with my voice caused unnecessary stress. Clearer communication and more attentive quality control during the early stages would prevent clients from feeling like they need to "panic" or micromanage the process.
Overall Feedback:
Despite the rocky start, New York Publishing House proved their value by listening to feedback and delivering exceptional results. The final product and strategic wins (like the Kirkus feature) far outweighed the early frustrations. I now recommend them to fellow authors, though I advise being proactive about advocating for your needs upfront.- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024
NYPH Turned My Urban Poetry Chapbook into a Proudly Uncommercial Success
NYPH’s unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. Their editors refined the flow of my poetry without sacrificing its raw emotion, and the minimalist cover design perfectly echoed the collection’s themes. The sold-out Brooklyn bookstore reading series they organized gave my work a platform that felt authentic and meaningful. Expanding outreach beyond local events. While the Brooklyn readings were incredible, offering virtual or multi-city opportunities could help poets connect with wider audiences without compromising their artistic vision.
Overall Feedback:
NYPH proved that traditional publishing doesn’t require compromising your voice. Their thoughtful editing, striking design, and grassroots event planning turned my chapbook into something I’m deeply proud of. For poets wary of losing their soul to the industry, NYPH is a rare and worthy partner.- hired for: Books, Media & Publishing
- hired in: 2024