Sarah LaPolla, Independent Editor

Sarah LaPolla, Next Chapter Edits

Sarah LaPolla is an editor, writer, former literary agent, and overall bookish person. She began her career in publishing learning the ins and outs of agenting at Curtis Brown, Ltd. while working toward her own MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. In 2013, she became an agent with Bradford Literary Agency where she continued to work with amazing authors whose novels went on to become bestsellers, star reviewed, and award winners. In 2020, Sarah started Next Chapter Editorial, where she offers critiques, assessments, and developmental editing for writers at all stages.

Sarah’s expertise is in YA and Adult fiction in the following genres: Contemporary/Realistic (includes literary fiction, “book club” fiction, rom-com, coming-of-age); Science Fiction; Horror; Suspense/Mystery; Speculative Fiction (includes magical realism, paranormal, urban/”low” fantasy, anything you can’t neatly label!). She would not be the right fit for category romance or erotica; high/epic fantasy; non-fiction (excluding memoir); inspirational or spiritual fiction; graphic novels; or children’s books. You can follow Sarah on Twitter at @sarahlapolla.

Work with Sarah

LIVE Meetings: Meet face-to-face, from home. Choose Zoom, Google Meet, or phone, and speak for the appointed time about your query, first page, and/or first ten pages (for longer meetings). Does not include written notes, but is a chance to have an honest discussion about your work, and to ask follow-up questions. International meetings welcomed.

HYBRID is a live meeting at the appointment time, with written notes.

WRITTEN Critiques: Get detailed, thoughtful notes on your work. Comes with large-scale edits (character, world, plot, tension, concept, conflict, and similar as needed) in an editorial letter and small-scale, line-by-line notes as needed (for longer critiques, an average of three per page). Work arrives in your inbox within 24 hours of thedate on the calendar.