About

Thomas LeBien

Thirty years inside the houses that define American publishing — now bringing that experience to your book.

A thirty-year veteran of publishing who has acquired, edited, and published books at top university and commercial presses — Harvard University Press, Simon & Schuster, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Princeton, and Oxford. He has shaped 100+ award-winning titles and 30+ national and New York Times bestsellers.

Over three decades, he has learned the editorial intervention that makes the difference, whether that's a simple line edit, a structural overhaul, a dramatic shortening of a manuscript, or a thorough rewrite. But don't take his word for it. Read what his authors have said.

30+ Years Publishing expertise
100+ Award-Winning Titles
30+ Best Sellers National & NYT*

In Their Own Words

Excerpts from acknowledgement pages.

A selection of authors' thanks taken from the printed pages of published books.

Select Acknowledgments

01 “First of all, I thank my editor, Thomas LeBien, for his wit, insight, clarity, competence, humanity, and enthusiasm.” Vera Tobin
02 “My developmental editor, Thomas LeBien, and my editor at Basic, Brian Distelberg, have been essential: much of this book might be better framed as a Platonic dialogue with them, and it would not exist without them.” J. Bradford DeLong
03 “Thomas LeBien, my editor at Harvard University Press and a true friend and patriot, provided terrific guidance. His support, wisdom, and generosity were invaluable.” Cass Sunstein
04 “I will remain grateful to my editor, Thomas LeBien, for responding to my initial book proposal with the idea that I ought to write this book instead.” Andy Horowitz
05 “Joy de Menil and Thomas LeBien at Harvard University Press provided superb edits, as well as expert shepherding through every stage.” Tom Zoellner
06 “Thomas LeBien inherited Waking Up at Simon & Schuster and proved to be an outstanding editor. It has been a true pleasure working with him at each stage of the publishing process.” Sam Harris
07 “Thomas LeBien, my editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and his colleagues have been thoughtful and generous in their advice and assistance, for which I am deeply grateful.” John Hope Franklin
08 “The person who had the biggest impact on my book is Thomas LeBien, my editor at Harvard University Press. Thomas exemplifies every quality that an author could want in an editor.” Iris Bohnet
09 “Thomas LeBien—like just about everyone else involved in this book—had no earthy idea what he was getting into, but unlike everyone else, it was his job to turn piles and piles of pages into a coherent volume.” John U. Bacon
10 “Thomas LeBien gave matchless guidance and friendship at every stage.” Timothy Tyson
01 “First of all, I thank my editor, Thomas LeBien, for his wit, insight, clarity, competence, humanity, and enthusiasm.” Vera Tobin
02 “My developmental editor, Thomas LeBien, and my editor at Basic, Brian Distelberg, have been essential: much of this book might be better framed as a Platonic dialogue with them, and it would not exist without them.” J. Bradford DeLong
03 “Thomas LeBien, my editor at Harvard University Press and a true friend and patriot, provided terrific guidance. His support, wisdom, and generosity were invaluable.” Cass Sunstein
04 “I will remain grateful to my editor, Thomas LeBien, for responding to my initial book proposal with the idea that I ought to write this book instead.” Andy Horowitz
05 “Joy de Menil and Thomas LeBien at Harvard University Press provided superb edits, as well as expert shepherding through every stage.” Tom Zoellner
06 “Thomas LeBien inherited Waking Up at Simon & Schuster and proved to be an outstanding editor. It has been a true pleasure working with him at each stage of the publishing process.” Sam Harris
07 “Thomas LeBien, my editor at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and his colleagues have been thoughtful and generous in their advice and assistance, for which I am deeply grateful.” John Hope Franklin
08 “The person who had the biggest impact on my book is Thomas LeBien, my editor at Harvard University Press. Thomas exemplifies every quality that an author could want in an editor.” Iris Bohnet
09 “Thomas LeBien—like just about everyone else involved in this book—had no earthy idea what he was getting into, but unlike everyone else, it was his job to turn piles and piles of pages into a coherent volume.” John U. Bacon
10 “Thomas LeBien gave matchless guidance and friendship at every stage.” Timothy Tyson