Avalon Marissa Radys

About Avalon Marissa Radys

Experienced Senior Editor, developmental editor (100+ books), author coach, and publishing professional with a track record of acquiring and developing award-winning, top-selling books. Over a decade in the industry, I\'ve honed an intuitive eye for enhancing authors\' unique voices and cultivating immersive reading experiences. Currently, I serve as Senior Editor at Sasquatch Books, an imprint of Blue Star Press, where I\'ve helped revitalize the imprint\'s 40-year backlist by tripling the titles acquired with half the staff and increasing backlist sales by 30%. I focus on acquiring and developing titles in health & wellness, parenting, creative how-to, and narrative nonfiction, developing 15-20 new titles annually. I\'m passionate about bringing diverse voices and fresh perspectives to readers across these categories. As the former Editorial Director at Inkshares, I led teams to publish 12-15 impeccably produced trade books each season, including Juliet McDaniel\'s \"Mr. & Mrs. American Pie,\" now adapted into the Apple TV+ series \"Palm Royale.\" My experience spans a wide range of genres, including children\'s books, creative how-to guides, arts & crafts titles, and inspirational memoirs. I take a reader-centric approach, collaborating closely with authors to make smart choices at every stage of the publishing process. For fiction, I focus on developing strong narrative structures, distinct settings, authentic characters, and engaging prose. For nonfiction, I emphasize enhancing clarity and value. I approach each project with rigor, insight, and creativity, helping authors craft standout stories and build successful careers. At Sasquatch Books, I\'m committed to publishing books that inspire, inform, and enrich readers\' lives, while maintaining the imprint\'s reputation for high-quality, visually striking books that celebrate unique stories and perspectives.

Experience

1. Senior Editor

   Sasquatch Books

   Jun 2024 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Helped revitalize Sasquatch Books’ 40-year backlist following acquisition, tripling the number of titles acquired annually with half of the staff while increasing backlist sales by 30%. Developed 15+ new titles annually in health & wellness, lifestyle, narrative nonfiction, and cookbooks.• Collaborated with sales and marketing to identify market trends, then conceptualized original book ideas that filled gaps in the marketplace• Created comprehensive book proposals and recruited 12 ideal subject-matter-expert authors for concept-driven projects • Provided intensive author coaching throughout writing process, guiding both experiences and first-time writers deliver polished manuscripts.• Managed entire publication process from acquisition to marketing while building and maintaining P & Ls

Education

• University of California, Berkeley

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, English Language and Literature/Letters

• University of California, Berkeley

  Professional Sequence in Editing, Journalism