About Book Editor Emily Ohanjanians
Hi, I’m Emily! I am a professional book editor with over fifteen years of in-house publishing experience. Most recently I was a senior editor at MIRA Books, a commercial fiction imprint at Harlequin/HarperCollins, where I acquired, edited and published novels ranging from debuts to New York Times, USA TODAY, Globe & Mail and international bestsellers. My portfolio includes novels in a broad range of genres, including book-club fiction and “uplit” (uplifting fiction), women’s fiction, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, humor fiction, suspense and thrillers, historical and speculative fiction.
Part of acquiring breakout novels involves keeping up with what’s working in the market—what other publishers are acquiring and what readers are buying. In addition to reading a wide range of queries and submissions, I read broadly across the industry, and am knowledgeable about what publishers are hungry to acquire and what is selling well in the self-published space.
My favorite part of the job has always been working with authors on their manuscripts. I’ve spent years studying story theory and honing my ability to draw out the elements of a story—be it pacing, character development, emotional arc, or other features—that can be sharpened to take a story to the next level. Learning about a writer’s vision for their story, reading their work, and helping them shape and elevate a strong draft into a gleaming final product—to me, nothing is more fulfilling than that process. I’ve made a successful career out of it, and feel gratified that so many of the authors I have worked with have found value in the experience. I’m excited to take that journey with you.