Miranda Darrow (she/her)

I like cozy mystery too, especially for MG with kid detectives figuring it out by themselves, challenging readers to solve it too.
#RevPit

a black and white drawing of a cat with the words `` gimme gimme gimme '' written on it . ALT: a black and white drawing of a cat with the words `` gimme gimme gimme '' written on it .

That sounds amazing.
Yes, please

I love it. She's beautiful!
thanks for sharing.

a white cat is laying on its back on the floor and looking at the camera . Alt: a white cat is laying on its back on the floor and looking at the camera and waving hello

heyyyy #RevPit writers!!

popping in today a bit early for my #MeetTheEditor session 💛

SO happy to be back this year! drop your Qs in the comments & I will answer by the end of the night!

🧵 a lil about me:

a picture of a man in the snow with the words " it 's not too bad " below him Alt: a picture of a man in the snow with the words " it 's not too bad " below him

I hear you.
We had nearly two weeks where the temperatures did not reach 0 F, with two straight mornings of -25 F (actual temp, not windchill) when taking my dogs out for the bathroom.
So yeah, it's been a bit much.

YouTube video by Miranda Darrow Cli-Fi Book Recommendations

I like all sorts of sci-fi, from Martha Wells' Murderbot to John Marrs dark tech future series to Black Mirror to Project Hail Mary to a whole list of Cli-Fi (climate fiction) book recs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhKn...

I'm less into fairytale retellings unless they take a new angle or voice #RevPit

a raccoon and two cats are playing on a concrete floor Alt: a raccoon and two cats are playing on a concrete floor, the raccoon steals food and leaves

This sounds right up my alley. I'd definitely like to get my grabby hands on it. I'm working on an upcoming video about space opera and generational spaceship novels and I'm always fascinated by how people decide (or lack of deciding) who gets to go, who has to stay.
#RevPit

a man sits at a desk in front of a poster that says if it ain t broke don t fix it ALT: a man sits at a desk in front of a poster that says if it ain t broke don t fix it

#RevPit community, use a gif to share one thing from your opening pages:

- the setting in your opening pages
- the problem your MC faces
- what your MC is doing
- what your MC would rather be doing

#writingcommunity #writersky #amwriting #amquerying #writer

My process:
Read #RevPit query letters & 1st pages
Make a shortlist
Write 10Queries for my shortlist, filtering finalists
Read 50+ pages for potential winners
Devise my edit plans for each - usually plot/structure issues
✅Q&As for author willing to make big changes
Figure out which editors to battle

a cartoon of homer simpson and bart simpson sitting on a couch with the words welcome join the club Alt: a cartoon of homer simpson and bart simpson sitting on a couch with the words welcome join the club

This is the exact type of question we're seeking in our #MeetTheEditor sessions for #RevPit

Welcome to the fold

YouTube video by Miranda Darrow Mastering the Art of Multiple Timelines in Fiction

I love dual timelines. I posted a video about writing them www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_pJ...

As for revenge, I prefer it as part of a growth arc where the main character learns to get past it & live well/choose happiness, rather than dwell in revenge throughout.
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

Good ?
Many dislike prologues as openings as it delays readers from getting to see your main character (MC) and learning their Goal.
Readers get invested in MC's goals, want to read on.
If it's really short, less than a page, then readers could still meet and start to care about your MC
#RevPit

A close up on an oil painting of a person in a white dress holding a green notebook and gold pen.

Hello, #RevPit writers! It’s time for my #MeetTheEditor thread 💖

This is my second year as an editor with RevPit, and I’m so glad to be back. I'm eagerly awaiting your submissions.

Got questions about my MSWL or editing process before you submit? Now’s the time to ask!

@reviseresub.bsky.social

a brown bear is standing on its hind legs in a field and says `` thank you beary much '' . ALT: a brown bear is standing on its hind legs in a field and says `` thank you beary much '' .

Thank you for sticking with me this long and see you online during #RevPit Season!
Here's where I grovel and beg for authors to submit to me - Pick ME!! 😘
I'll be checking this thread for any #MeetTheEditor questions throughout the week

a man in a blue shirt is playing bowling on a bowling alley Alt: a man in a blue shirt is playing bowling on a bowling alley He converts a 7-10 split for a spare I've done this, but never on camera or based on skill

I like a sense of humor, but I’m not afraid to tackle tough topics. So now I’m ready for your questions about my MSWL, my editing style, and questions about how often I’ve converted on the 7-10 split (surprisingly, more than once, but never based on skill).
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

Oh, and here’s a lovely Bluesky post from my 2025 #RevPit winner -Ivy Bard
#MeetTheEditor
Kelly's winner was mystery
Ivy's was Sci-Fi space opera
What's next???

bsky.app/profile/ivyb...

YouTube video by Miranda Darrow Interview with 2024 RevPit Winner Kelly Malacko

If you want to know more about my editing style, and hear more about the #RevPit contest from a winner’s perspective, check out this video of me with Kelly Malacko, my 2024 winner
#MeetTheEditor
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDTu...

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Because I take a week off but then need to get back to my day job, I’m usually making finalist choices quickly and plan to have my edit letter ready the day of winner announcements.
So come ready to work if you’re submitting to me.
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

Miranda attending the Imaginarium writing conference in 2024

I also love going to writing conferences and online writing events
See me in person in April at Chicago North Romance’s Spring Fling & the Nebraska Writers Guild conference in Omaha!
Later in 2026, I'll be at RWA and Killer Nashville!
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

a man in a red shirt is saying it 's trivia time ! Alt: a man in a red shirt is saying it 's trivia time !

Recently my trivia team got a “solo” and victory because I was the only person in the bar who knew the children’s book award named for the Minnesota author who wrote the Betsy-Tacy books.
Do you know it?
Bonus points for the first person to name that author/book award.
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

a cartoon dog is knitting in a bed Alt: a cartoon dog is knitting in a bed

For fun, my hubby and I are in a bowling league (I’m awful) and part of a trivia team (much more to offer) and I crochet, like, nonstop. If my winner and I have a Zoom chat, I will be crocheting during it
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor
Note - Gromit is knitting, not crochet, but close

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I treat #RevPit Editors’ Window as my Spring Break, taking PTO my day job to dive into my submissions
It’s a tiny peek at the life I’d like, editing and writing full-time. Maybe someday. Hanging out in my house in Minnesota in March is just like a tropical getaway, right?
#MeetTheEditor

a small white dog is sitting in the driver 's seat of a car and looking out the window . Alt: a small white dog is sitting in the driver 's seat of a car and looking out the window . A sleepy tan dog yawns into view.

I work a corporate day job and have been editing as a side hustle for 10+ years.
I'm a morning person (the white dog).
I usually post my RevPit social media early in the day, before my day job gets cooking.
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

Pepper and Maddie playing The Floor is Lava in my office

So drop me a line if you have questions about my MSWL
Now, let’s talk more about ME! I live in Minnesota with my spouse and kids, the youngest is in high school, plus our two bossy dogs, Pepper & Maddie.
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

YouTube video by Miranda Darrow What Your Query Package Needs

#RevPit #MeetTheEditor
And if you’d like help formatting your query letter, synopsis, log line, and first pages, check out this week’s video on the topic and other resources our editors have shared:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTxx...

Miranda Darrow Miranda is a freelance fiction editor and #RevPit online revision contest board member and contributing editor. She's also a frequent presenter to writing groups and creator of the Concise Fiction Aca...

If you’re curious, I have a YouTube channel where I post videos every week talking about books, writing, and editing. Some of those videos are lists of book recommendations in niche subgenres for a sense of my tastes
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor
www.youtube.com/@mirandadarr...

kermit the frog is sitting in a red chair with a stick in his mouth Alt: kermit the frog's nephew is sitting in a red chair with a stick in his mouth until he gets hooked and pulled off the screen

Honestly, for me it’s more about the story than the genre.
Pull me in with your voice, characters, and clearly defined premise, GMC, and stakes and I’m hooked!
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

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For YA and Adult ages, I read and edit broadly
Check out my MSWL and let me know by asking a question in this thread or @ me if you have questions
My previous RevPit winners have included: mysteries, sci-fi, speculative/time travel, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction. #RevPit #MeetTheEditor

a cartoon of a girl carrying a stack of books with the website bibliotheca.com written below her Alt: a cartoon of a girl carrying a stack of books with the website bibliotheca.com written below her

For Middle Grades, I’m a bit more selective, taking mystery, history and sci-fi.
My kids are old enough now that I’m not reading as much as I when I used to read books with them, but still enjoy MG.
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor

I just read This House Will Feed by RevPit editor Maria Tureaud! It was amazing, and I’ve roped Maria into talking with me about it for an upcoming video! *fangirling*
#RevPit #MeetTheEditor