Catherine Laudone

Catherine Laudone – Editor

I'm a senior editor with over eleven years of experience working on picture books, middle grade and young adult books at Simon and Schuster.

Overview

I have over eleven years of experience working on children's books at Simon & Schuster. I have my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. I am currently a senior editor at Paula Wiseman Books and a published picture book author. I have edited picture books, middle grade and young adult novels in a wide range of genres (contemporary, fantasy, thriller, etc.) over the course of my career. The books I’ve worked on have received numerous accolades, including New York Times bestsellers, starred reviews, being selected as award finalists, Junior Library Guild selections, and Indies New Voices and Indies Kids’ Next Pick selections, and making state reading lists.


SEE WHAT MY AUTHORS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ME:


“Working with Catherine on my picture book, SHARE SOME KINDNESS, BRING SOME LIGHT was an incredible experience. As a first time author, her guidance and expertise were invaluable. She helped me shape the project into a book that I’m proud to share, and the first wave of responses from the sales team and book buyers reflect her skills and ability to help her author’s work shine. Her feedback was thoughtful and easy to understand and implement. She helped me see the whole picture, keep the flow of my story on track and understand my audience. I directly credit her for helping me accomplish a life long dream. I was so lucky to have her and her editing skills on my team. I would wholeheartedly recommend working with Catherine as an editor.”

~Apryl Stott, author of SHARE SOME KINDNESS, BRING SOME LIGHT


“Catherine is an editor that has an eye for detail and an incredible library of suggestions that will reinforce your work. But along with that she is an editor that will work alongside you while giving you room for your voice to shine through. I can confidently say after Catherine’s edits my work had a better direction and clarity. I am extremely lucky to have her as my first editor.”

~Hanna Cha, author of TINY FEET BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS


“Catherine is a warm and enthusiastic editor, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with her. She knows what she’s doing and never fails to provide honest feedback in a supportive way. My books are significantly better because of her keen editorial eye!”

~Rebecca Kim Wells, author of SHATTER THE SKY and STORM THE EARTH


“My middle grade novel MUFFLED had heart and character but the slim story turned into so much more under Catherine’s care. Her detailed editorial letters and insightful line-editing helped me to expand Amelia’s emotional journey on the page and to make every sentence flow.”

~Jennifer Gennari, author of MUFFLED


“Catherine is my editor at Simon & Schuster for my middle grade debut THE DREAM WEAVER. Catherine is smart, insightful and fun to work with. She pushes me to become a better writer with every revision. She’s the best!”

~Reina Luz Alegre, author of THE DREAM WEAVER



Services
Fiction
Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy Picture Books Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Simon & Schuster

Oct, 2023 — Present
I acquire and edit picture books and middle grade novels for Paula Wiseman Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster.

Simon & Schuster

Mar, 2013 — Oct, 2023 (over 10 years)

Portfolio

Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla

Diaz, Alexandra

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

No Cats in the Library

Emmons, Lauren

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

The Quiet Forest

Offsay, Charlotte

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Bitsy Bat, School Star (The Bitsy Bat Series)

Windness, Kaz

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Briar Girls

Wells, Rebecca Kim

Swim, Jim!

Windness, Kaz

Bravo, Little Bird!

Silvestro, Annie

Facing the Sun

Mather, Janice Lynn

She's the Worst

Spieller, Lauren

Muffled

Gennari, Jennifer

The Dream Weaver

Alegre, Reina Luz

Learning to Breathe

Mather, Janice Lynn

Say No to the Bro

Helgeson, Kat

Final Fall (Lock & Mori)

Petty, Heather W.

Finding Felicity

Kade, Stacey

Catherine has 23 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Tash S.

Tash S.

May, 2025

Very insightful feedback, Catherine’s input has helped to streamline my manuscript and query package. Much appreciative of her input,
Catherine L.
Thank you so much Tash!
Lawrence C.

Lawrence C.

Apr, 2025

I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Catherine on my query letter. Her thoughtful review of my work has enabled me to weave together the elements of the letter in a way that should attract other professionals to the project. I recommend her wholeheartedly. Thank you, Catherine!
Catherine L.
Thank you, Larry!
Shreeya C.

Shreeya C.

Apr, 2025

Catherine did a developmental edit on my first picture book and provided very valuable feedback on how to improve my storyline. Her in-line comments and overarching notes on the theme and structure were clear, insightful, and easy to understand. She has a keen eye for detail, and the way she orga...
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Catherine L.
Thank you Shreeya!
Charles T.

Charles T.

Nov, 2024

Catherine read my manuscript and wrote a seven-page editorial letter that included useful mentor books. Her criticisms were specific and well-thought-out, and gave me a clear description of several significant problems with the manuscript. I didn't time this very well, though, and now that I have...
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Randi M.

Randi M.

Nov, 2024

Catherine provided a detailed evaluation of my manuscript, pointing out areas that needed more attention and clarification. I love that she gave suggestions on character development. Overall, her notes were extremely thorough and they showed me specifically how to strengthen my picture book.

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