Testimonials
Madeline McIntosh
CEO, Penguin Random House US
I worked with Steve when I was running the sales division that was responsible for Crown's sales. My group knew we could count on Steve for having an excellent eye for how to select books that would be both commercially and critically successful. He has a great sense of what the American consumer is looking for and how to lead them to it.
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Author of America the Anxious: How our Pursuit of Happiness is Creating a Nation of Nervous Wrecks
I consider myself profoundly lucky to have the immense privilege of having Steve Ross as my agent. He approached me after I wrote an article for the New York Times, with a suggestion as to how it could be turned into a book. He then worked with me to turn the idea into a fully fledged 100 page book proposal which he then sold to a major publisher within 48 hours after submission. Steve has incredible vision- taking the tiny germ of an idea and turning into something impressive and marketable. His editorial judgment and guidance while writing my book proposal was rare and truly impressive. He can often make what look like tiny editorial suggestions about a piece of writing which then, when you try them, turn out to totally transform the whole thing. Steve is immensely generous with his time and input as an editorial advisor and mentor. The only disadvantage of his selling my book was that now I have to write it without his help!
· Stephen Hanselman
Founder & Owner, LevelFiveMedia, LLC
I've had the privilege of working with Steve in his roles at two of the world's best publishers. He's got an editor's keen eye and a marketer's zeal--a rare and unbeatable combination that has made him a very successful publisher. He knows how to support an author and has my highest recommendation!
Author of Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's and Switched On: A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening
When I was looking for a publisher for Look Me in the Eye I interviewed most of the big houses. I was particularly impressed by Steve and his organization. He was able to act decisively to make a deal, then move promptly into production to meet an aggressive on-sale target. I am convinced Look Me in the Eye would not have achieved the success it has seen (over 25 US printings, over 500,000 copies in print as of winter 2011) without his leadership and vision.
So much of a book's long term success depends on the work that's done in editorial shaping. Steve headed Crown throughout that critical time. Production of any major bestseller is a team effort, and the current staff at Crown certainly deserves credit for their ongoing management and marketing, but it all started with Steve Ross.
Brandi Bowles
Literary Agent at United Talent Agency
At Crown, Steve's door was always open to junior employees seeking advice, looking for feedback, or suggesting new ideas. His obvious passion for books, coupled with personal charisma and intuitive business sense, inspired our entire department.
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Editorial services professional
I found Steve Ross to be strategic, decisive, and thoroughly engaged as an executive, with no investment in wasted motion or political posturing. These qualities allowed us to operate with speed, cohesion, and clarity as a group. I learned a great deal and valued the experience of working with him.
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Associate Director of Publicity at Simon & Schuster Inc.
I first worked with Steve several years ago, and reconnected with him when he became President and Publisher of Collins. I was pleased to find that the intervening years had done nothing to diminish his unabashed enthusiasm for what he does, his wide-ranging curiosity, his supportive, collegial style, and his sense of humor. One of the standout people I've worked with in my career.
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Executive Editor at Henry Holt & Company
Steve is a wise and enthusiastic leader who brings passion and expertise to the book business. Not only is Steve's energy always contagious (a great quality in a boss), I also really admire his instinct about books, which seems to be infallible.
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Assistant Director of Publicity at Simon and Schuster
Steve was a hands on publisher who got to know everyone in his department at Collins. He made the effort to understand how a role worked and what, if anything, needed to be improved upon. I would glady work with him again.
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VP, Director of Publicity at Atria Books, a division of Simon and Schuster
In working with Steve for almost two years he clearly demonstrated all the key components of a great leader -- decisive actions, smart decisions and support for his team.