Anna Solemani - Editor
I am a children’s and YA fiction editor with over ten years’ experience in the industry.
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Overview
I am a children’s and YA fiction editor with over nine years’ experience in the publishing industry. I began my career at Scholastic Children’s Books, developing the illustrious lists for both Scholastic Fiction and the boutique literary imprint Marion Lloyd Books. In 2013 I moved to Orchard Books, where I manage a wide range of bestselling series, middle-grade and YA fiction.
I offer a variety of services, from structural/line editing to copyediting and proofreading. My favourite thing is working really closely with an author to hone their manuscript, particularly looking at issues with plot and/or characterisation, giving a fresh eye on perspectives and helping to make the story the very best it can be.
I feel very strongly about never telling authors what, or how, to write - the manuscript is YOUR baby, and my job is simply to help you see potential areas that might need further exploring, and through discussing together, help you find your own solution to it.
Interests: Young fiction, middle-grade and YA, particularly commercial fiction, literary fiction, tearjerkers, magical realism, quirky reality-benders, inspirational coming-of-age and overcoming-of-odds stories.
I offer a variety of services, from structural/line editing to copyediting and proofreading. My favourite thing is working really closely with an author to hone their manuscript, particularly looking at issues with plot and/or characterisation, giving a fresh eye on perspectives and helping to make the story the very best it can be.
I feel very strongly about never telling authors what, or how, to write - the manuscript is YOUR baby, and my job is simply to help you see potential areas that might need further exploring, and through discussing together, help you find your own solution to it.
Interests: Young fiction, middle-grade and YA, particularly commercial fiction, literary fiction, tearjerkers, magical realism, quirky reality-benders, inspirational coming-of-age and overcoming-of-odds stories.
Languages
English (UK)
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Cultural & Ethnic
Dystopian
Fantasy
Humor & Comedy
Middle Grade
Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Judaism
Certifications
- MA (Hons) Classics, University of Edinburgh, 2005–2009
- Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), TEFL Scotland, 2008
- Letteratura e Filosofia, Università di Bologna, 2007–2008
- Copyediting Workshop, Hachette Children’s Group, 2015
- Copyediting Skills, The Publishing Training Centre, 2012
- Copywriting Training, Scholastic Children’s Books, 2012
- Proofreading & Copyediting, Scholastic Children’s Books, 2012
- Proofreading for Editors, The Publishing Training Centre, 2011
Work experience
Senior Editor
Orchard Books
June, 2017
–
Present
(over 3 years)
I continue to manage Orchard's bestselling fiction brands, looking after a wide range of early readers, middle-grade and YA fiction.
Editor
Orchard Books
September, 2013
–
June, 2017
(over 3 years)
I managed Orchard’s top-selling fiction brands, looking after a wide range of early readers, middle-grade and YA fiction.
Freelance Editor
Freelance
March, 2013
–
Present
(almost 8 years)
I also work as a freelance editor for children's book of all ages, from picture books to YA. My services include structural editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, assessing submissions, brainstorming storylines and writing copy.
Editorial Assistant
Scholastic UK
August, 2010
–
March, 2013
(over 2 years)
I cut my teeth in publishing assisting both the Marion Lloyd Books and Fiction Editorial teams in all aspects of running their illustrious Children’s and Young Adult Fiction lists.
Portfolio (13 selected works)
Horrid Henry: Up, Up and Away
Francesca Simon
Number One for fiendish fun! Horrid Henry takes to the skies in UP, UP AND AWAY!Horrid Henry is back and cheekier than ever in this brand-new book from the internationally bestselling author Francesca Simon. Contains four brand-new stories, featuring Horrid Henry wreaking havoc on an airplane, being forced to write an essay about the Tudors, sabotaging the school play and sneaking on to a forb... read more
Boywatching: Up Close
Chloe Bennet
In BOYWATCHING, Chloe and her friends turned their obsession with the mysterious yet strangely alluring St Thomas's boys into a scientific pursuit (with hilarious consequences). In the second book, the thrilling prospect of a joint school play takes up much of everyone's waking (and dreaming) hours. But aside from that, can Chloe hang onto the heaven that is Mark? Will Gemma's reunion with the... read more
Season Three
Chloe Bennet
When Chloe's boyfriend Mark goes off on a French exchange, he leaves his cousin Oscar in the not-so-capable hands of the Boywatchers. Poor Oscar is extremely handsome, but terribly awkward. Can the girls succeed in transforming him into a suave, girlfriended gent - in time for Mark's return? Broken hearts, promises and toes abound in this hilarious and heartwarming conclusion to the fabulous B... read more
Goblins
Philip Reeve
Always busy squabbling, the goblins who live in the great towers of Clovenstone spend all their time fighting and looting. Only clever young Skarper understands that dark magic created by a vanquished sorcerer is rising again. From the lands of men come fortune-seekers - and soon trolls, giants, cloud-maidens, swamp monsters, tree-warriors, humans and bloodthirsty goblins alike are swept into ... read more
It's a Crazy Christmas
Giles Andreae
Meet Billy... He's Bonkers!The Christmas celebrations have begun! But when Billy gets trapped by a snowman, weed on by a puppy and burped on by his relatives, he decides... it's a totally crazy Christmas!3 side-splittingly hilarious stories in 1!
Frozen
Melissa de la Cruz, Michael Johnston
Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature - freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.At the heart of thi... read more
Golden
Melissa de la Cruz, Michael Johnston
In this epic conclusion to the trilogy, Nat and Wes go on a journey to find the Rift, save the source of magic and defeat the Drau, the pirates, and the RSA - but at a great sacrifice. Wes is dying, and as he's rotting the Drau will let the rot "cleanse" the source of magic, dooming Wes forever. Nat and Wes discover that the source of the magic lies in the Drakon - the key to the Blue, the pro... read more
Stolen
Melissa de la Cruz, Michael Johnston
Nat and her drakon are the last of their kind, sworn to protect what their enemies seek to control. She's risked her life for their reunion, but that meant breaking Wes's heart - and her own. New Vegas is threatened by the resurgence of magic and declares war on all the marked. When Wes is caught by the RSA, he is forced to do the unthinkable. Wes and Nat find themselves on opposing sides of a... read more
Rainbow Magic: Esther the Kindness Fairy
Daisy Meadows
Everyone knows Kirsty and Rachel are best friends. But when Jack Frost steals the Friendship Fairies' magical objects, the special bond of BFFs everywhere is at risk! Can they fight the Ice Lord and his goblin minions to restore the magic of friendship in both the Fairyland and worlds?
Welcome to a magical world where animals talk and play - just like you and me!Best friends Jess and Lily love all animals. But when they follow a mysterious golden cat into Friendship Forest - a place where animals live in tiny cottages and sip dandelion tea at the Toadstool Cafe - their animal friends suddenly become much more magical!
Twice-Lived Summer of Bluebell Jones
Susie Day
Twice-lived Summer of Bluebell Jones On her thirteenth birthday, Blue makes a desperate wish. To be transformed into a cool, confident teenager. Enter Red, appearing from nowhere like a wacky fairy godmother. She's only visible to Blue - in fact, she IS Blue, but a year older. But her future self causes a heap of crazy trouble - and there are dark secrets she's not telling... Full description
It's Alive!
Claire O'Brien
One day, I, Cordelia Codd, will design beautiful costumes and live in a glamorous city.But for now, I'm stuck with: Living in a MICRO-TINY cottage stuck to the side of a pubA pair of BONKERS parents who are still NQT (Not Quite Together) Two MEAN GIRLS trying to steal my best friendAnd a Granny who is behaving even more strangely than usual. The third and final instalment in the hilariously ha... read more
Grandma Dangerous and the Dog of Destiny
Kita Mitchell
WARNING: DO NOT GIVE THIS BOOK TO YOUR OWN GRANDMA. SHE MIGHT GET IDEAS...Danger is her middle name!Ollie's dad is missing - but Grandma Dangerous is on the case! She has a hot-air balloon, thirty packets of biscuits and a pooch with magical powers (she says).But as they sail through the skies, Ollie realises they're not just on a rescue mission...Grandma's on the run!"Thrills! Biscuits! This ... read more
Anna has 12 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Anna was an absolute wonderful person to work with! She was so encouraging with my work and with a confident and assuring kindness showed me my strengths and cons on how I can improve them to make my book the best it can be. She saw my potential and passion in my writing, which encouraged me even more to challenge the hurdles of revising and proofreading! :)
Veronica Therrien, November 2020
Anna is very professional, friendly and supportive. She provided a valuable fresh look into my MS, pulling out some great constructive points. And happily expanded further on some points after I contested them. Satisfied customer!
Joshua Sebastian Andrews, December 2019
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Anna. I'm a debut writer, and I was a little bit nervous about sharing my work. However, Anna has been very supportive and professional throughout the whole editing and revision process. Her edits were on point and insightful. Most of all, I felt, Anna understood my vision and voice and helped me nurture my story and brought it to a higher level. ...
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Melania G, November 2019
It was a breeze communicating with Anna. Managing expectations was straightforward. She shared her professional perspective beyond the parameters of just copyediting. Her copyedit was very light (as expected due to the advanced condition of the manuscript). Among other things worth noting, she suggested one edit to remove a minor recurring redundancy in one passage, which I tend to agree with a...
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Adnan Ashraf, June 2019
Working with Anna was a good experience from start to finish. She kept the deadlines and provided high quality feedback, which was easy to understand. I am very happy with the end result, and if I ever write another book, I will approach her again with an offer. Easily recommended.
Thorbjørn WL, June 2019
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