Anna Solemani

Anna Solemani – Editor

I am a children’s and YA fiction editor with over ten years’ experience in the industry.

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.

**Please note that I am not able to take on every project I receive, so please don't be disheartened if I decline your request! I only take on projects that speak to me personally, as I believe every author deserves an editor that is truly passionate about their book.**

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.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Cultural & Ethnic Dystopian Fantasy Humor & Comedy Middle Grade Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Judaism
Languages
English (UK)
Awards
  • Branford Boase Award 2019 Nomination
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

Orchard Books

Jun, 2017 — Present

I continue to manage Orchard's bestselling fiction brands, looking after a wide range of early readers, middle-grade and YA fiction.

Orchard Books

Sep, 2013 — Jun, 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

Mar, 2013 — Present

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.

Scholastic UK

Aug, 2010 — Mar, 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

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 He... read more
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).... read more
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 ... read more
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, ... read more
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 a... read more
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... read more
Stolen

Melissa de la Cruz

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 ... read more
Golden

Melissa de la Cruz

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 s... read more
Frozen

Melissa de la Cruz

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 a... read more
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!
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 fortun... 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 g... read more
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... read more

Anna has 13 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Richard E.

Richard E.

Apr, 2023

Anna was really helpful: picked up things that had passed me by, but clearly needed altering. Gave good advice on technical matters I was ignorant about, and guidance as to possible improvements of story line. And enormously encouraging! I’m very grateful.
Veronica T.

Veronica T.

Nov, 2020

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! :)
Joshua S.

Joshua S.

Dec, 2019

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!
Melania G.

Melania G.

Nov, 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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Adnan A.

Adnan A.

Jun, 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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