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Jaida Temperly

(c) privat

Please introduce yourself in two or three sentences.
I am an independent book editor and publishing consultant, who worked for New Leaf Literary & Media and Writer’s House before founding my own business in 2022. With over 10 years of editorial experience, I am passionate about bringing stories to life and enjoy discussing both the craft and business side of books.

What professional experience do you have in your field of consultation?
As a former Literary Agent, I’ve had the pleasure of working with New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. I’ve taught craft courses at Columbia University, Yale University, SCBWI, Writer’s Digest, and the Horror Writers Association, and am an active member of the Editorial Freelancer’s Association.

What are typical questions that prospective clients might ask you in a consultation?
• How do I query a Literary Agent?
• What are best practices (and mistakes to avoid) when composing my query letter?
• How do I write a synopsis / log line / pitch for my fiction novel?
• How do I get my work published by a traditional book publisher?
• What should I do if I’ve only received rejections from an Agent / Publisher?
• What are the steps between querying a Literary Agent and getting my book on shelves?
• What does a Literary Agent / Book Editor do?
• What are the best craft resources for revising my fiction novel?

What successes do you have in your professional field?
I’ve had the pleasure of working on a large roster of award-winning fiction, including The Grace Year by Kim Liggett (Macmillan), Destroy All Monsters by Jeff Jackson (FSG), and They Come in All Colors by Malcolm Hansen (Simon & Schuster). I’ve also provided editorial assistance on bestselling titles such as Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (Macmillan), Frost Blood by Elly Blake (Hachette), and Truthwitch by Susan Dennard (Tor).

In which languages can you offer consultations?
English.