I began my career at Penguin Press, where I worked closely with the imprint's founding publisher and editor-in-chief Ann Godoff. Experiencing the alchemy between Ann and her extraordinary authors — Michael Pollan, David Nasaw, Ron Chernow, and Zadie Smith among them — was a singular education, and continues to inform how I think about books.

While in-house, I edited authors including Paul Greenberg (Four Fish), Dr. Christine Montross (Falling Into the Fire), and Ben Tarnoff (The Bohemians). As an independent editor, I have worked with writers at all stages in their careers, including bestselling authors published by the "Big Five," and first time novelists seeking representation.

My deepest experience as an editor is in narrative nonfiction, and I have a special interest in biography and memoir by and about extraordinary women. Other areas of particular interest include work with academic writers hoping to make the transition to trade and literary fiction. I hold an MFA in Fiction from Brooklyn College.

Working Together

I believe that the editorial process is a vulnerable exchange that works best with established trust and clear communication. I rely heavily on questions — questions of clarity, questions of focus, questions of heart and meaning. I want to know about the book that you want to write, and will challenge myself to help you meet that goal.

I am available for developmental editing at various levels, virtual consultations, or in-person consultations dependent on location. To discuss your project please reach out to me directly at whalen.lindsay@gmail.com. Please write EDIT QUERY in your subject line.