Abby Ranger – Editor

My career has grown from my love of children's and YA fiction. Before setting up my own shop here in Portland, OR as an independent developmental editor, I spent twelve years at the center of the children's book publishing industry in New York. I held posts as a senior editor at HarperCollins, and as an editor at Disney-Hyperion and Scholastic.

The shelves of books I’ve edited are mostly middle grade and young adult novels—from lush fantasies and intricately plotted mysteries to goofy classroom comedies—as well as picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. I love children's books that don't underestimate their audience's intelligence, and that allow all kinds of young readers to feel seen. My authors’ books have been New York Times bestsellers, Edgar Award nominees, New York Times Notable books, and Junior Library Guild selections, and have earned multiple starred reviews. Nothing is more satisfying to me than helping writers radically improve their work while staying true to their voice and vision.

In addition to editing, I'm an adjunct professor in the book publishing program at Portland State University, where I teach graduate-level courses in developmental editing and YA publishing. To me, teaching and editing go hand-in-hand. I always hope that writers who work with me gain insight and tools that strengthen both their craft and their confidence.

TESTIMONIALS

"Abby is amazing. Her editorial notes are challenging and insightful, displaying a masterful command of character, plot, world-building, and everything in between. Every time I work with her, I learn things that improve not only the manuscript in question but future projects as well."
-Livia Blackburne, New York Times bestselling author of Midnight Thief

"Abby Ranger is simply one of the best editors in the business. Her creative insight, attention to detail, and unwavering support throughout the process is what every writer dreams of in an editor, and I am forever grateful for having worked with her."
-Gregory Funaro, New York Times bestselling author of Alistair Grim’s Odditorium

"I have worked with Abby at two different publishers, on two different series. In fact, it was the opportunity to work with her that drew me from one publisher to another. Abby knows how to sound those chords that are in your heart already. There are very few suggestions she makes that don’t resonate. She will be your partner in making your work the best it can be."
-Cinda Williams Chima, New York Times bestselling author of the Seven Realms and the Shattered Realms series
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“I've had the great good fortune of working with Abby Ranger on three books over a period of several years. Besides her intelligence, experience, and levelheadedness, what I most appreciate is her sensitivity. She took the time to listen and to learn how to help me make the best choices for each book. Lucky the writers who get to work with her.”
-Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal winning author of A Single Shard