Why I’m Pivoting My Editing Business to Amplify Jewish Voices
Plus, updates on an antisemitism panel at a major book fest, Judith Magazine, and my upcoming novel.
Hello, everybody. It’s been too long since I updated this newsletter. So much has been going on in my life and career, I haven’t had a chance to stop and write about it all. I’ve had many new subscribers in the past few months, so some of you haven’t heard from me at all. Welcome to my world!
First, a little about myself: I’m a book editor, author, journalist, podcast host/producer and have been writing about antisemitism and other Jewish issues for the past forty years—even longer if you count my obsession with these issues as a child and grandchild of Holocaust survivors. I grew up on stories from survivor relatives, and I think it’s the reason I became a writer in the first place—to tell these stories and to try to make sense of them. I’m fifty-nine years old now, and I still haven’t made sense of everything.
I’m the former managing editor at JTA (early 00s) and my work has been featured in publications like Publishers Weekly, The Jerusalem Post, The Forward, JTA, The Algemeiner, and Longreads, among many other publications.
Now, for what’s new.
Editing Business to Focus on Jewish Authors
I’ve been a book editor for about eight years now, ever since my job as executive editor of Foreword Reviews was downsized. In that time, I’ve worked on just about every genre, from memoir and business to sci-fi and romance. Lately, I’ve decided to focus my editing work on Jewish-themed books and Jewish authors. It’s clear to me that Jewish voices are being marginalized in the literary world, and I want to help change that.
If you’re working on a book with Jewish themes—or you’re a Jewish writer with a story to tell—I’d love to hear about it. I’ve worked with authors at every stage of the process, from rough drafts to near-final manuscripts, helping them strengthen their work while staying true to their voice. My goal is to help Jewish authors navigate this increasingly complicated publishing world.
You can read my testimonials on the “book editor” portion of my website, or you can read more reviews and ratings on my Reedsy profile. If you’re curious about how I might be able to help with your manuscript, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to have a conversation.
AWP
Earlier this year, some colleagues and I proposed a panel for the annual Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) conference in Los Angeles. At first, it was rejected, even as numerous anti-Israel events were approved. Thanks to advocacy from the Jewish Book Council, our panel, "A Narrow Bridge: Jewish Writers on Resilience in an Antisemitic Climate," was added to the program. It’s one of only a few Jewish voices in a lineup otherwise dominated by anti-Israel perspectives.
I hope the organizers enforce their own rules against disruptions, as I’ve heard troubling reports about last year’s event, described by some as an anti-Jewish hate fest. I’ll be taking careful notes on the literary community's hostility toward Jews and its reckless misuse of terms like "genocide." These observations will find their way into my work-in-progress on fighting antisemitism.
If you’ll be in Los Angeles from March 26–29, I’d love for you to join us for moral support. I’ll share more details as the event approaches!
New Novel
My real reason for attending AWP is to promote my upcoming novel, Found and Lost: The Jake and Cait Story, which will be released on April 29, 2025, by Vine Leaves Press. Toward the end of 2022, I decided to step back from writing about antisemitism and try something completely different. I had an idea for a novel and figured I’d see where it took me. What emerged was a story about music, aging, faith, second chances, and, yes, a little bit of Judaism woven in.
It’s unlike anything I’ve written before—so much so that even my wife, who is always my first beta reader, said she couldn’t believe I had written it. The novel follows two musicians, Jake and Cait, who reconnect in middle age when a song they recorded forty years earlier unexpectedly goes viral. It explores their shared history, creative chemistry, and the complicated dynamics of their reunion after decades apart.
I’m thrilled about how it’s coming together, and the early endorsements have been incredibly encouraging. I’ll share more details as the release date approaches.
Judith Magazine
I’m also the nonfiction editor at Judith Magazine, which was launched by Elissa Wald as a platform to combat the marginalization of Jewish voices in the literary world. Our mission is to give Jewish writers a space to share their stories, essays, and poems without fear of being sidelined or silenced. Since its launch, Judith has attracted a growing audience from all corners of the Jewish world, becoming a vibrant hub for those seeking to celebrate and explore Jewish identity through literature.
Whether you’re writing about personal experiences, cultural observations, or historical reflections, we’re interested in pieces that showcase the richness and diversity of Jewish life. If you have an essay or story that aligns with this vision, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out for more information—I’m always on the lookout for meaningful and authentic contributions to the magazine.
Antisemitism Book
My book, From Outrage to Action: A Practical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism, has evolved significantly since I first conceived it. Initially intended as a reaction to contemporary events, it has become a deeply personal exploration of my family’s history, my own experiences with antisemitism, and the stories of those fighting it today. The book weaves together memoir, history, and actionable strategies, aiming to inspire unity within the Jewish community and foster alliances with others. I recently posted an update in Judith Magazine on how and why I changed course on the book. I’ll soon be running excerpts of the book for paid subscribers of this newsletter.
Onward
I look forward to keeping you updated as these projects take shape. Whether it's editing Jewish-themed books, amplifying Jewish voices through Judith Magazine, sharing excerpts from my antisemitism book, or gearing up for the release of my novel, there's a lot on the horizon. I’m deeply grateful for your support and engagement. Together, we can celebrate Jewish creativity, confront antisemitism, and ensure our stories are told.
Howard, I wish you loads of success with your pivot into working more with Jewish authors. I enjoyed our collaboration on my latest memoir, Bylines and Blessings, which benefited greatly from your astute editorial eyes.
I have been working on Life stories using an outline. I am Jewish and want my family to know the history of their family in what was Bessarabia. I have several writings and want to make them more cohesive and put together a book. Would you help me and what would it cost me?