“I don’t believe there is any greater blessing than that of being pierced through and through by the splendor and sweetness of words....I wouldn’t take a kingdom for it.”
About Me
@ Christine Han
Book people are the best people, so I consider myself lucky to have had a twenty-year career in the publishing industry. I’ve worked as an editor at various Big Five imprints (Doubleday, Crown, Hyperion, Simon and Schuster) where I’ve had the great privilege of discovering and publishing incredible books and being able to work with amazing writers to develop their craft and deliver their stories to the world, including some examples you see in the gallery below.
A few years back I shifted to the freelance life, contracting independently with publishers, agents and writers for editorial work, content development and ghostwriting, as well as teaching about craft and the business of publishing.
The other hat I wear is…novelist. I’ve written three books with my co-writer, Jo Piazza, that explore the intersection of race and relationships through dramatic or explosive challenges. My solo debut novel, All the Men I’ve Loved Again is a fun love story ripped from my own life. I also do select essay writing, including a semi-regular column for Cup of Jo.
The through line to all of my work is a commitment to champion accomplished story-telling, distinctive voices, and narratives that drive discussion and offer emotional resonance and inspiration. A simple tagline might read: Smart, with heart.
Stories can change hearts, minds— and the world. Hokey? Perhaps, but also true and that sentiment guides my commitment to delivering (and helping others deliver) those sorts of poignant and powerful narratives to readers who are ever eager for them.
My work with writers and clients is guided by three things: A deep personal investment in creating the very best product, a true hands-on, collaborative spirit, and a commitment to excellence. Whether it be working to develop or refine a proposal to command top dollar, providing detailed feedback to bring out the best in a completed manuscript, or troubleshooting a challenging project, I offer incisive and thorough editorial guidance. But even beyond making sure the project itself is as strong as possible, my goal is also to help writers continue to develop their craft overall and to think strategically about their publishing careers and opportunities. As a veteran publishing professional, I have a keen understanding of marketplace trends and reader habits, a network of deep publishing connections and an insider perspective of how the industry and publishing houses operate.
The specific services I offer to agents, publishers and aspiring or self-published writers are as follows:
Proposal Development
Developmental Editing
Content Creation
Coaching
Book Doctoring
Select Ghostwriting
Rates subject to scope of work and timing. Please inquire!
Client Testimonials
"Christine was an invaluable resource as I was working on my memoir First Gen. Whether as a sounding board, a consultant on structure and organization, or as an enthusiastic cheerleader for each deadline and revision, I highly recommend having Christine by your side on whatever project you're embarking on."
Alejandra Campoverdi, bestselling author of First Gen
“When Christine started her publishing career here at Doubleday all of those years ago, I knew she had a bright future and that prediction has been borne out. Christine has all of the qualities that make for an outstanding editor—an innate feel for storytelling and narrative, a keen and curious mind, and an exuberant work ethic. It's no surprise why she has such a stellar reputation throughout our industry and that she's so respected by colleagues and agents and writers."
Bill Thomas, VP, Editor-in-Chief / Doubleday
“I’ve worked with the incredible Christine Pride on many projects over the years, across genres, and have consistently found her to be one of the most skilled editors in the publishing business. Her editorial work is precise, thorough, and unusually thoughtful and considered. My clients adore working with her and call her the author whisperer. Christine is the gold standard.”
Brettne Bloom, Agent, The Book Group
“Christine Pride is the ideal editor. She’s brilliant, honest and kind, and instead of focusing solely on what doesn’t work in your book finds what does; she encourages a writer to explore the good, and enlarge on it, because she knows that eventually the good will overtake and overwhelm what’s not. I’ve worked with her on two novels, Mr. Sebastian and the Negro Magician, and Extraordinary Adventures, and I know they wouldn’t have become the books they are without her. Christine is magic.”
Daniel Wallace, author
MY WRITING
my writings
TEACHING & RETREATS
I absolutely love to teach and run workshops for writers. I’ve taught classes on a range of book-related topics with many different conferences and outlets including Grub Street, Writer’s Workshops, Community of Writers, various municipal libraries, etc. I also teach aspiring publishing professionals at the University of Denver’s Publishing Institute.
ACT LIKE A WRITER, THINK LIKE AN EDITOR
This is a workshop I developed that offers comprehensive advice and strategies for writers through the lens of a veteran publishing professional. I can adapt the course for a variety of time slots and set-ups, in person and online. Please inquire!
WRITE WITH PRIDE
A unique destination retreat opportunity for serious writers ready to take their work to the next level and build community with fellow creatives in a beautiful, inspirational setting. Watch this space for details about the inaugural retreat dates/location and how to apply.