Anna Prendella - Editor
I've edited PB, MG, YA, and fantasy in agencies + pub houses for 6 years, specializing in pacing, character dynamics, and thematic balance.
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Overview
I'm a book editor with extensive experience across picture books, middle grade, young adult, and adult titles. At Donadio & Olson, I managed the slush pile, writing rejections and reports on all queries. I also wrote editorial notes for our young adult and adult authors through multiple revisions, preparing them to go on submission. Simultaneously, I developed from scratch an independent client's private memoir, drawing from personal documents and interviews I conducted. At HarperCollins and Little, Brown, I have edited dozens of outstanding children's books, including with high-profile authors and in special formats like survey books and interview collections. Many of these books were acquired very early on, so I am accustomed to working as a proactive, creative collaborator as well as an attentive editor from the development stage through to line edits.
As an editor, I prioritize comprehensive critical support. I am a genuine partner, happy to talk through every challenge and share my market expertise so that you can write with informed deliberation and your book can excel. I edit with particular care for voice, pacing, character dynamics, and thematic balance—in nonfiction and fiction alike—to make sure every part of a manuscript hits home. My goal is always to help your book accomplish your own vision, so I'm an editor with high standards who also listens closely: I'm less interested in telling you what I think your book ought to be than I am in ensuring it is the best version of the book you set out to write, polished and positioned for success.
As an editor, I prioritize comprehensive critical support. I am a genuine partner, happy to talk through every challenge and share my market expertise so that you can write with informed deliberation and your book can excel. I edit with particular care for voice, pacing, character dynamics, and thematic balance—in nonfiction and fiction alike—to make sure every part of a manuscript hits home. My goal is always to help your book accomplish your own vision, so I'm an editor with high standards who also listens closely: I'm less interested in telling you what I think your book ought to be than I am in ensuring it is the best version of the book you set out to write, polished and positioned for success.
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Children's - Non-fiction
Fiction
Fantasy
LGBTQ (Fiction)
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Young Adult
Work experience
Assistant Editor
Little, Brown
July, 2017
–
Present
(over 3 years)
Editorial Assistant
HarperCollins
June, 2015
–
July, 2017
(about 2 years)
Memoir Editor
Abacus & Associates
December, 2014
–
August, 2015
(8 months)
Reader & Editor
Donadio & Olson
September, 2013
–
June, 2015
(over 1 year)
Portfolio (14 selected works)
Sing
Vivi Greene
In this irresistible beach read—perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Zoella's Girl Online—America’s favorite pop goddess flees the spotlight to Maine to recover from her latest breakup. Only to fall head over heels for a down-to-earth local guy and be faced with an impossible decision: him or her music.After getting her heart shattered for the thousandth time, multiplatinum pop icon Lily Ross is ... read more
Groundbreaking Guys: 40 Men Who Became Great by Doing Good
Stephanie True Peters
An illustrated book of biographies highlighting the inspiring and innovative qualities of forty very different men throughout history, for fans of Heroes for My Son and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.Our history books are full of great men, from inventors to explorers to presidents. But these great men were not always good men. It's time for our role models to change. This book pays tribut... read more
Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel
Val Emmich, Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
** INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER **USA TODAY BESTSELLERWSJ BESTSELLERINDIE BOUND BESTSELLER From the show's creators comes the groundbreaking novel inspired by the hit Broadway show Dear Evan Hansen. Dear Evan Hansen, Today's going to be an amazing day and here's why...When a letter that was never meant to be seen by anyone draws high school senior Evan Hansen into a family's grief over th... read more
The Confidence Code for Girls: Taking Risks, Messing Up, and Becoming Your Amazingly Imperfect, Totally Powerful Self
Katty Kay, Claire Shipman, JillEllyn Riley
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller!Girls can rule the world—all they need is confidence. This empowering, entertaining guide from the bestselling authors of The Confidence Code gives girls the essential yet elusive code to becoming bold, brave, and fearless. It’s a paradox familiar to parents everywhere: girls are achieving like never before, yet they’re consumed wit... read more
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages
Trenton Lee Stewart
The brilliant and beloved gang from the New York Times bestselling series is back! Since The Mysterious Benedict Society debuted twelve years ago, the series has become a modern classic, drawing comparisons to J.K. Rowling and Roald Dahl and selling over three million copies. Some time has passed since the inimitable quartet of Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance have had a mission together. B... read more
No More Poems!: A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse
Rhett Miller
The Hen Who Sailed Around the World: A True Story
Guirec Soudée
Meet Monique! In this true story, online phenomenon Guirec Soudée shares his adventures both unbelievable and heartwarming, sailing around the world with his brave, affectionate red hen, Monique. Monique is a highly accomplished chicken: she surfs, she skateboards, and she just crossed the world on a tiny boat with her human companion, Guirec, who helped steer. On their three-year journey, tog... read more
High as the Horses' Bridles: A Novel
Scott Cheshire
A Washington Post Top 50 of 2014 Fiction pickA Wall Street Journal Book of the Year, selected by Phil KlayElectric Literature 2014: Year of the DebutA Largehearted Boy Favorite Novel of 2014Slaughterhouse 90210's Most Rapturous Book of 2014Vol. 1 Brooklyn A Year of Favorites: Jason Diamond picksCalled "powerful and unflinching" by Column McCann in The New York Times Book Review, "something of ... read more
The Suicide of Claire Bishop: A Novel
Carmiel Banasky
Greenwich Village, 1959. Claire Bishop sits for a portraita gift from her husbandonly to discover that what the artist has actually depicted is Claire’s suicide. Haunted by the painting, Claire is forced to redefine herself within a failing marriage and a family history of madness. Shifting ahead to 2004, we meet West, a young man with schizophrenia obsessed with a painting he encounters in ... read more
Duskfall (The Nightshade War Book 1)
Rawles Marie Lumumba
Blessed with incredible strength, Lia has always longed to be a true hero like the superstar phenoms that make up the Order of Defenders. A chance encounter with her adolescent idol, Vigil, catapults Lia into the big leagues, where she has the opportunity to make a real difference in the catastrophe-plagued Kingston City.But Lia quickly learns that sponsors, press, and presentation are as impo... read more
The Kindness Book
Todd Parr
Beloved and New York Times bestselling author Todd Parr uses his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity to explore the value and joy in being kind to others. With his trademark bright colors and bold lines, Todd Parr takes on a topic more important than ever: being kind to each other. This idea is both a perfect fit for Todd's cheerful, child-friendly positivity and incredibly close to... read more
Ash
Malinda Lo
The haunting, romantic lesbian retelling of Cinderella and modern queer classic by award-winning author Malinda Lo--now with an introduction by Holly Black, a letter from the author, a Q&A, and more!In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mot... read more
First- and second-generation immigrants to the US from all around the world collaborate with renowned photographer Wendy Ewald to create a stunning, surprising catalog of their experiences from A to Z. In a unique collaboration with photographer and educator Wendy Ewald, eighteen immigrant teenagers create an alphabet defining their experiences in pictures and words. Wendy helped the teenagers... read more
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2017A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book for Teens 2017This first-ever LGBTQ history book of its kind for young adults will appeal to fans of fun, empowering pop-culture books like Rad American Women A-Z and Notorious RBG. Three starred reviews!World history has been made by countless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals—an... read more
Anna has 14 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I was thoroughly impressed with both the timeliness of the work and the quality of it. Her notes were incredibly insightful and helped to pinpoint the areas in my work where I need to make improvement. I came out of the experience feeling confident in the quality of my novel, and I would highly recommend her to anyone that might be in need of editing services.
Christopher Stanfield, January 2021
Anna Prendella was the perfect person for my first developmental edit. I learned so much from her. After receiving the developmental edit, I did have questions, and she took the time to answer them with consideration, and went above and beyond to make sure I understood what she was saying. Thank you Anna, you are fantastic.
Anna FitzGerald, January 2021
Anna is not just an editor helping you with your book; she is passion, creativity, soul, kidness and fantastic ideas that empowered your story and fill the tone of what you want to express with hope, magic and over the top suggestions. I loved working with her. Thank you for all you did for us; this book is way more special thanks to you and your professionalism.
Paola Andrea Fernández de Soto Abdul-Rahim, August 2020
Anna brings enthusiasm and professionalism in everything that she does. It's a welcome asset and her contribution is exceptional.
Negus Lamont, May 2020
Anna was so helpful in reviewing my query letter, first chapter, and synopsis! She caught a lot of things I'd missed and helped me rewrite to focus on the strengths of my character/story. She was also super nice and great at staying in touch. Quick turn around time too! I would definitely recommend working with her.
Devyn Dougherty, April 2020
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