Ava Zhan – Editor

My passion for language, literature, and writing led me to choosing a Journalism and Creative Writing major and a Humanities with Honors minor in college. While working toward my bachelor of arts degree, I wrote and published magazine articles, short stories, and poetry.

Upon graduation, I was hired by John Wiley & Sons and embarked on a dynamic career in book publishing. While at Wiley, I had the privilege to work with several prominent authors including Marcus Samuelsson and the Culinary Institute of America.

I started working as a freelance book editor in 2010. My regular clients include Oxford University Press, the International Society for Technology in Education, and Kaplan, in addition to Reedsy authors.

In 2023, I went back to school to obtain a master of arts degree in teaching. I have endorsements for teaching elementary education and English Language Arts.

What I bring to the table for new or newer authors is my formal education in the mechanics of the English language, expertise producing books to the editorial standards of a traditional publishing house, and experience with a wide range of subjects.

Main genres I currently work in:

-Business, investing, economics

-Engineering

-Philosophy, sociology, anthropology, culture

-Education

-Architecture and design

-World and US history

-Parenting, family

-Memoir

-Literature and nonfiction for middle grades and young adults

A testimonial from Greg Patent, the author of A Baker's Odyssey: "Thanks to senior production editor Ava [my previous name], who made sure that the Polish words were rendered correctly and for her slavish attention to detail."

From Rose Levy Beranbaum, the author of Rose's Heavenly Cakes: "Thank you to Ava, senior production editor and new friend, for her wisdom, dedication, and devotion."

When I am not editing, I spend time with my two children, cook, and ride my horse Virgil.