Nice to meet you, my name is Layla Bellissimo.
I am a writer at my core. My school years helped reform my writing in a multitude of ways, but my passions have always been geared towards championing the rich narratives of others. With schooling came opportunities in international policy, brand strategy, and editorial work for peers, all endeavors I enjoyed working on. My personal career path has taken me through developmental research in Kenya, leadership opportunities in New York, and even an advisory role at the leading individual financial planning company in the US.
At the heart of all of this work – each role – has been the same strength: shaping complex ideas into clear, compelling stories that resonate.
Alongside my professional work, I’ve been a lifelong reader. I’m especially drawn to science fiction, fantasy, gothic horror and world building that explores identity, power, and belonging. I bring the same curiosity and care to evaluating manuscripts as I do to creating my own writing projects.
I’m building a career in publishing with a focus on editorial roles. I aim to champion diverse voices and help authors refine their work for a wider audience, while keeping their voice integral to their story. My perspective combines analytical rigor with a deep love of narrative craft, making me as comfortable evaluating market fit as I am suggesting a sharper turn of phrase.
When I’m not working on manuscripts or research, you can usually find me wandering through New York City bookshops, sketching new characters, or diving into the archives of literary history. My current fixation: cold war politics within the UK.
Bellissimo 