Annie Nybo - Editor
Experienced children's book editor. Specialties include: fantasy world building, character development, and multiple POVs.
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Overview
I'm an children's book editor with over seven years of experience at major publishing houses, including Simon & Schuster, Penguin, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and have been lucky to work on everything from bestsellers like Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunters series and Ellen Hopkins's novels in verse to award winners like William Alexander's Goblin Secrets and Holly Black's Doll Bones. Recent highlights of mine included The Glass Town Game by Catherynne M. Valente, Feeder by Patrick Weekes, and Mindful Me by Whitney Stewart.
I've edited books for all ages: picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, YA. I love working with novelists to help them build striking characters and cohesive worlds, and I love working with picture book authors to help them find the core focus of their work. I love to work by example, by asking you to make a change and showing you what I might be thinking of so you don't have to guess my mind.
When receiving a developmental edit of novels a long edit letter (4-10 pages) that works through many elements of character motivation, plot elements, and word building questions (even in contemporary novels), and I will endeavor to explain why I am concerned about something and why something might be a problem. With picture books you'll receive a letter too, but it will usually be 1-3 pages. I would be honored to help you strengthen your work and help you find your perfect reader.
I've edited books for all ages: picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, YA. I love working with novelists to help them build striking characters and cohesive worlds, and I love working with picture book authors to help them find the core focus of their work. I love to work by example, by asking you to make a change and showing you what I might be thinking of so you don't have to guess my mind.
When receiving a developmental edit of novels a long edit letter (4-10 pages) that works through many elements of character motivation, plot elements, and word building questions (even in contemporary novels), and I will endeavor to explain why I am concerned about something and why something might be a problem. With picture books you'll receive a letter too, but it will usually be 1-3 pages. I would be honored to help you strengthen your work and help you find your perfect reader.
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Children's - Non-fiction
Fiction
Comics & Graphic Novels
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Urban Fantasy
Young Adult
Awards
- Publishers Weekly Rising Star Honoree
Work experience
Freelance Editor
Self-employed
January, 2019
–
Present
(about 1 year)
I provide freelance editorial services on Reedsy as well as on my website.
Editor
Albert Whitman & Company
May, 2017
–
February, 2019
(almost 2 years)
Associate Editor
Simon & Schuster
July, 2012
–
April, 2017
(almost 5 years)
Editorial Assistant
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
June, 2011
–
June, 2012
(about 1 year)
Portfolio (10 selected works)
The Spy with the Red Balloon (The Balloonmakers)
Katherine Locke
Siblings Ilse and Wolf hide a deep secret in their blood: with it, they can work magic. And the government just found out.Blackmailed into service during World War II, Ilse lends her magic to America’s newest weapon, the atom bomb, while Wolf goes behind enemy lines to sabotage Germany’s nuclear program. It’s a dangerous mission, but if Hitler were to create the bomb first, the results would b... read more
Daughters of Ruin
K. D. Castner
Game of Thrones meets Graceling in this thrilling debut that features four fierce princesses, “jewelry as weaponry, political double crosses, and surprise twists. What’s not to love?” (School Library Journal, starred review).Rhea, Cadis, Suki, and Iren have lived together since they were children. They are called sisters. They are not. They are called equals. They are not. They are princesses…... read more
Shimmer and Burn
Mary Taranta
To save her sister’s life, Faris must smuggle magic into a plague-ridden neighboring kingdom in this exciting and dangerous start to a brand-new fantasy duology.Faris grew up fighting to survive in the slums of Brindaigel while caring for her sister, Cadence. But when Cadence is caught trying to flee the kingdom and is sold into slavery, Faris reluctantly agrees to a lucrative scheme to buy he... read more
Mindful Me
Whitney Stewart
Sometimes kids' lives can get busy and out of control, and worries can take over. When that happens, knowing how to pause and regain composure with mindfulness can help! This easily digestible guide introduces kids to mindfulness as a way to find clarity, manage stress, handle difficult emotions, and navigate personal challenges. With over 30 breathing, relaxation, and guided meditation exerci... read more
Whobert Whover, Owl Detective
Jason Gallaher
Help Whobert Whover, Owl Detective, keep his woods safe in this hilarious who-who-dun-it.What happened to Perry the Possum? Whobert Whover, Owl Detective, is on the case! Did Debbie the Duck whack Perry with her wicked wings? Or did Freddie the Frog soak Perry in his sickening slime? And what if the culprit is closer to home than Whobert expects?
Feeder
Patrick Weekes
A monster-hunter teams up with super-powered teens to protect her brother in this fast-paced adventure novel that’s X-Men meets Men in Black.Lori Fisher hunts monsters. Not with a sword or a gun, but with an interdimensional creature called Handler. Together they take down “feeders”—aliens who prey on mankind. When Lori touches a feeder, Handler’s impossibly large jaws appear and drag the beas... read more
Emma and Muse
Nancy Lemon
Emma loves art, and everything she crafts is inspired by her scruffy dog, Muse. But creativity soon goes awry when Muse alters Emma’s latest masterpiece; Emma is furious and Muse flees the scene. With no Muse in sight, Emma loses her creative spark and best friend. What will it take to win back her beloved Muse?
Teach Your Giraffe to Ski
Viviane Elbee
Your giraffe wants to learn how to ski—but but not on the bunny hill. She wants to go down the big scary slope! Enjoy this riotous journey as the narrator tries to reign their giraffe in—and learns something about courage along the way.
Lumber Jills: The Unsung Heroines of World War II
Alexandra Davis
In World War II, Great Britain needed lumber to make planes, ships, and even newspapers—but there weren’t enough men to cut down the trees. Enter the fearless Lumber Jills! These young women may not have had much woodcutting experience, but they each had two hands willing to work and one stout heart, and they came together to do their part. Discover this lyrical story of home front heroism and... read more
When local chocolate maker Ms. Kozlow comes to the Juicy Gizzard potion shop asking for luck, Sasha needs to find out why. Does Ms. Kozlow need luck because she has a matchmaking appointment with Granny Yenta this afternoon? Can Sasha and her new friend Puck make it Ms. Kozlow’s lucky day?
Annie has 3 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Annie is amazing! She has an incredible wealth of insight, expertise and knowledge, and she is a joy to work with. It was my first time seeking out a professional editor and my journey with Annie exceeded my expectations. She was able illuminate what was and was not working in my manuscript and did so with kindness and encouragement. I would definitely work with Annie again and was honoured by ...
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Vanessa Tse, September 2019
Annie's feedback was clear and right on target with the input we were seeking. She set a path for us to improve our structure, and winnowed out all the cracks in the storyline. I recommend her highly for an editorial review of your book. She'll definitely help you out of any ruts you're in, find the areas you need to improve, and offer a path to success.
Tim Halbur, August 2019
Annie was willing to accommodate my somewhat unusual request—working on a shorter excerpt of the manuscript that I would be sending to agents—and she provided some very helpful and on-point feedback. She is clearly knowledgeable in both the fantasy and YA genres (this was important, because some editors are more familiar with one genre and not the other). Annie was exceptionally professional th...
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Alex Stargazer, February 2019
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