Liz Scheler is one of the most influential science fiction editors of the past few decades. As an editor at major publishing houses like Tor Books and Del Rey Books, Scheler has worked with many famous sci-fi and fantasy authors to polish and publish some of the genre’s most beloved novels. She has an innate talent for bringing out the best in the writers she works with, helping them clarify their vision and tighten their prose.
Background and Career Beginnings
Scheler got her start in publishing as an intern at Del Rey Books in the early 1990s while studying literature and creative writing at Brown University. She quickly fell in love with the world of sci-fi/fantasy editing and knew it was the career path she wanted to pursue after graduation.
After graduating from Brown, Scheler was hired as an editorial assistant at Tor Books, one of the top sci-fi/fantasy publishers. She spent several years learning the ropes of acquisitions and developmental editing before being promoted to junior editor.
Working with Top Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors
As a junior editor at Tor, Scheler began acquiring and developing her own list of authors, quickly demonstrating her talent for working with writers and nurturing their books from concept to finished publication. Some of the top authors she started working with early in her career include:
- Ursula K. Le Guin – Scheler edited several late career works by this legendary sci-fi/fantasy author, including the acclaimed Annals of the Western Shore YA fantasy trilogy.
- Brandon Sanderson – Scheler acquired and edited Sanderson’s first published novels, the Mistborn trilogy, which launched him into stardom in the fantasy genre.
- N.K. Jemisin – Scheler worked with Jemisin on developing and editing her Inheritance trilogy and The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, the first novels the now Hugo and Nebula award winner published.
- Martha Wells – Scheler helped bring Wells’ popular Murderbot Diaries series to life by acquiring and editing the first novella in the series, All Systems Red.
Transition to Del Rey Books
After nearly 15 years at Tor, Scheler was recruited by Del Rey Books to take on a leadership role as a senior editor. Many of the authors she worked with at Tor, including Sanderson and Jemisin, followed her to Del Rey because they valued her editorial guidance so much.
At Del Rey, Scheler continued building her impressive list of authors, bringing new talent into the genre and growing the careers of authors she worked with. Some of the highlights of her Del Rey career so far include:
- Acquiring and editing Andy Weir’s debut sci-fi novel The Martian, which became a massive bestseller and was adapted into a hit movie.
- Publishing the Imaginary Corpse novel by first-time author Tyler Hayes, which went on to win the Nebula Award for Best Novel.
- Helping launch fantasy author RF Kuang’s career with the publication of The Poppy War and guiding the development of Kuang’s books through a successful trilogy.
Strong Relationships with Authors
One of Scheler’s greatest talents as an editor is developing strong relationships with authors and working as a true partner and collaborator. She cares deeply about understanding authors’ creative visions and helping them reach their full potential on the page. Authors who have worked with Scheler describe her as an insightful critic who challenges them in constructive ways, asks questions that open up new creative possibilities, and supports them at every stage from idea generation to final publication.
Her author relationships are built on trust, compassion, and shared passion for imaginative fiction. N.K. Jemisin has said she feels Scheler has her back “artistically, emotionally, and personally” while they work together. Ursula Le Guin credited Scheler with making her a better writer by never settling for “good enough” and always pushing her to dig deeper. It’s this commitment to bringing out authors’ best work that makes Scheler a truly great editor.
Looking to the Future
Now a respected veteran in her field, Scheler continues looking for fresh new voices and boundary-pushing sci-fi and fantasy stories to publish, while also guiding established authors to take their writing in bold new directions. With her track record for launching careers and producing award-winning works, Scheler has cemented her reputation as one of the very best in speculative fiction editing. Readers eagerly anticipate what amazing books she’ll help bring to life next.
The future is bright for sci-fi and fantasy literature with dedicated editors like Liz Scheler continuing to elevate authors’ work and expand the boundaries of imaginative fiction. Her passion for the genre and commitment to developing authors shines through in every book she edits, making her an invaluable contributor to the growth of speculative fiction.
Summary
Liz Scheler is a prominent science fiction and fantasy editor known for working with famous authors like Ursula K. Le Guin, N.K. Jemisin, and Brandon Sanderson. She got her start as an intern at Del Rey Books while in college before being hired as an editor at Tor Books. At Tor, she helped launch the careers of several now famous authors by acquiring and editing their debut novels. After 15 years at Tor, Scheler moved to Del Rey Books as a senior editor. She is renowned for developing strong relationships with authors, supporting their creative visions, and helping bring out their best work. Some career highlights include editing Andy Weir’s The Martian and R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War. Scheler continues to nurture new talents and push established authors to greater heights, cementing her reputation as one of the best speculative fiction editors in the business.