LCS Literary Services was founded by Latoya C. Smith in February 2016. Latoya started her editorial career as an administrative assistant to New York Times bestselling author, Teri Woods at Teri Woods Publishing while pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree at Temple University. She graduated Cum Laude from Temple in August of 2005. She then attained a full-time position at Kensington Publishing in March of 2006. In October 2006, Latoya joined Grand Central Publishing, an imprint at Hachette Book Group. For the span of her eight years there, Latoya acquired a variety of titles from Hardcover fiction and non-fiction, to digital romance and erotica. She was featured in Publishers Weekly, Forbes and USA Today, as well as on various author, book conference, and book blogger websites. In early 2014, she appeared on CSpan2 where she contributed to a panel discussing the state of book publishing. From August 2014 to February 2016, Latoya was Executive Editor at Samhain Publishing where she acquired short and long-form romance and erotic fiction. She is the winner of the 2012 RWA Golden Apple for Editor of the Year, 2017 Golden Apple for Agent of the Year, and the 2017 Literary Jewels Award for Editor of the Year. Latoya is an editor, literary agent, and ghostwriter.
Experience
- Developmental Editor / Literary Agent / Ghostwriter / Founder
LCS Literary Services, LLC., February 2016 – Present - Co-Founder/Literary Agent
ArtHouse Literary Agency, LLC., June 2021 – April 2023 - Executive Editor
Samhain Publishing, August 2014 – February 2016 - Associate Editor
Hachette Book Group, September 2011 – August 2014 - Assistant Editor
Hachette Book Group, December 2009 – September 2011 - Editorial Assistant
Hachette Book Group, October 2006 – December 2009 - Editorial Assistant
Kensington Publishing, February 2006 – October 2006 - Freelance Copyeditor
Urban Books / Q-Boro Books / Urban Christian, October 2001 – March 2008 - Administrative Assistant/Manuscript Reader
Teri Woods Publishing, May 2002 – August 2005
Skills
Publishing • Line Editing • Manuscript Development • Copyediting • Ghostwriting • ProofReading • Books • Creative Writing • Branding • Marketing/Publicity • Blogging • Proposal Writing • Synopsis Development • Digital Media • Management • Representation • Mentorship • Consulting
Awards and Achievements
Features: Publishers Weekly, Forbes and USA Today, as well as on various author, book conference, and book blogger websites.
Appearances: CSpan2 and Good Day New York
Awards:
• 2017 Golden Apple for Agent of the Year
• 2017 Literary Jewels Award
• 2012 RWA Golden Apple for Editor of the Year
Press
http://chandrasparkssplond.com/blog/lcs-literary-services/
http://agentinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2016/04/latoya-smith-former-samhain-and.html
https://writersleagueoftexas.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/meet-the-conference-faculty-36/
https://www.c-span.org/video/?318668-4/panel-discussion-publishing
http://www.ebony.com/entertainment-culture/writer-life-tips-for-selling-your-novel-576
https://youngurbanvoices.com/2014/07/01/editor-latoya-smith-talks-books-grand-central-publishing/
https://pepperwinters.com/2014/08/28/one-year-today-i-pressed-publish-nyt-usa-today-timeline/
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/07/prweb12046131.htm
http://romancemagicians.blogspot.com/2013/02/interview-with-editor-latoya-smith.html
http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/2013/05/27/rochelle-alers-haven-creek-latoya-smith/
http://rwanycblogginginthebigapple.blogspot.com/2012/05/lets-celebrate-romance.html