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I am an independent editor, formerly at the New York Review of Books, and with over a decade of experience in the magazine industry. I also have experience editing and consulting on book-length works. I accept projects that range from story or article-length works to manuscripts, both fiction and non-fiction, for either a general or an academic audience, as well as artist statements, book proposals, grants, website copy, and more. Tell me what you’re working on! I am happy to try to meet any needs you might have.

Query me to discuss and for rates: mckeon.lucy@gmail.com

I am a contributing editor at Pioneer Works Broadcast and Feeld’s magazine.

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“I worked with Lucy at the New York Review of Books on two pieces—her edits helped sharpen the ideas and the writing in the piece in all the best ways, and I have carried her insights with me as I continued onto other writing projects! In other words, exactly what you want from an editor: someone who helps you produce better work in the now, and in the future!” Amna Akbar (professor of law at Ohio State, author and teacher specializing in theories and practices of social movements and social change, and policing, race, and inequality.)

“It was a joy to work with Lucy McKeon at the New York Review. An unfailingly enlightening, meticulous and judicious editor, she's inspiring, too: it was Lucy's idea that I write about art, an experience she made exhilarating and fun. It's a gift to be edited by her—she's terrific!” Claire Messud (professor of creative writing, author of seven works of fiction including The Emperor’s Children, The Woman Upstairs, The Burning Girl, and A Dream Life)

"Lucy rescued me (well, my manuscript) near the end of the first draft, when I felt like I was treading water in the dark. She helped me chart a way through, and perceived the many connections among the chapters I'd already drafted, restoring my faith in the book as an integrated project. Lucy also brings a very rich set of references to her editorial work. She reads, watches, and listens both widely and deeply, and has therefore been able to place my book--about Puerto Rico--in the context of other diasporic narratives in the Caribbean and beyond." Carina del Valle Schorske (writer, translator, contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine)

“A mentor once told me that in publishing, I should ally myself with individuals, not institutions. Lucy McKeon is one such trustworthy and talented ally. Our editorial relationship was born out of mutual respect and a sense of play, guided by questions: What can we make together? What are the radical possibilities for expression? What does my voice contribute to the culture? Am I making myself understood? Lucy helped me find the right answers. She is a good editor because she is a good listener.” Emily Raboteau (professor of creative writing at City College, author of The Professor’s Daughter, Searching for Zion, and forthcoming Lessons for Survival)

“I had the joy of being edited by Lucy at The New York Review of Books. She's a sensitive, eagle-eyed reader and writer, and has an intuitive grasp of what makes a good story. I would entrust her to improve any idea, in prose of any form.” E. Tammy Kim (professor of journalism, contributing writer at The New Yorker and co-host of Time to Say Goodbye podcast)

“Lucy was my favorite editor for non-fiction when she was at The New York Review of Books, so when she went freelance I was thrilled because it meant I could recruit her to edit my fictional work, as well. I finally had the chance this spring and was so delighted by her generous and careful feedback, her willingness to engage in an ongoing, in-depth conversation, and her extremely helpful ideas for next steps! I can’t think of a better way to structure a revision.” Jennifer Croft (professor of creative writing, translator, author of Homesick, and forthcoming Amadou)

“Lucy McKeon is one of the best editors I've ever worked with. She's constitutionally open-minded, always willing to read with the grain, and with a mind to the spirit of the work, which she's got a great talent for spotting and articulating. She's incredibly sharp and savvy about how to make the work its best, or at least better, self—through line edits, rearrangements, and queries—and she also knows how to incorporate the thoughts of others in how she edits without making the kitchen feel crowded or fractious. I never feel rushed or judged or resisted when she edits me—I feel encouraged, exhorted, nudged, and challenged to rise to the occasion of her attentive and generous reading.” Namwali Serpell (professor of English at Harvard, author of The Old Drift, Stranger Faces, and forthcoming The Furrows)

"Lucy McKeon is an incredible writer and editor. She is both precise and expansive as an editor. Having worked with her on a number of projects, I love how she amplifies the voices of writers and works to massage the nuances of an argument. What I value most is feeling like I have a true collaborator throughout the process." Nicole R. Fleetwood (James Weldon Johnson Professor at NYU, author of Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration)

“After experiencing Lucy’s editorial magic at The New York Review of Books, I immediately wished that she had edited my first book. I tried to think of ways to have her edit my next book. So when I learned that Lucy was offering editorial services, I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to resort to bribery or trickery. Lucy is an editor one wants to keep for life!” Sarah A. Seo (professor of law at Columbia, author of Policing the Open Road: How Cars Transformed American Freedom)