Melanie C.

Melanie C. – Editor

Award-winning author with 10+ years of editing experience, specializing in children's, YA, & romance. I give kind and honest feedback.

Overview

Are you trying to figure out what to do with your draft? Do you need feedback before you query agents? Would you like a professional to edit your work before you self publish? I can help you take the next step on your writing journey!

WHO AM I?

I’m an award-winning author published with Penguin, Disney, Little, Brown, and Macmillan. My novels have won awards such as Bank Street Best Children’s Book, the International Literacy Association Teacher’s Choice Award, and nominations to five state reading lists. I'm experienced in editing for publication, from developmental to line edits, and have been a writing mentor at First Five Pages, WriteOnCon, and SCBWI. My mentees have gone on to sign with agents and my editorial insights have contributed to the publication of over a dozen novels at Big Five publishers.

HOW I CAN HELP

My goal is to understand your objective and help you achieve it. I get genuine satisfaction from solving story problems, providing clarity in line edits, and talking through solutions. My pep talks leave writers invigorated and optimistic, because I focus on what you can DO. I am excellent at analysis and communication, and I will leave you with an action item list to get you moving forward with your story, synopsis, or query letter.

TESTIMONIALS

“Melanie’s feedback is really helpful and I’ll be working to change some things based on her suggestions!”

— Monica B.

“Great feedback and extremely useful comments as well as some wonderful compliments on my writing that I really needed at the time.”

— Kim W.

“Thank you so much for your detailed comments! They will be very helpful when I dive back into revisions.”

— Jen M.

"I really appreciate your feedback! Thank you for putting in the time and energy to provide me with such thoughtful notes. They’re so helpful!"

— Darianne S.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Romance Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • 2022 Nebraska Golden Sower Award Nominee for 2022-2023
  • 2020 A Mighty Girl’s Books of the Year Selection
  • 2020 Amazon Teacher’s Pick Selection
  • 2020 School Library Journal Best Summer Reads
  • 2018 Finalist for the Missouri Mark Twain Book Award
  • 2018 Finalist for the Iowa Children’s Choice Award
  • 2018 Finalist for the Illinois Bluestem Award
  • 2018 Finalist for the Arkansas Charlie May Simon Award
  • 2017 Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year Selection
  • 2017 SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards Finalist
  • 2017 International Literacy Association’s Teachers’ Choices Selection
  • 2023 Utah CLAU Beehive Book Award Nominee
  • 2024 South Carolina Book Award Nominee
  • 2024 Texas Lone Star List recommendation
  • 2025 Virginia Reader’s Choice Award Selection
Certifications
  • Bachelor's in Industrial Design
  • Minor in English Literature

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2014 — Present
Provided critiques of manuscripts, queries, and synopsis to critique partners for several dozen MG/YA/adult novels. Following publication, I became a writing mentor at First Five Pages and WriteOnCon, providing critiques of pitches, queries, opening pages, and full manuscripts. Services included developmental editing, line editing, proof reading, query review, synopsis review, and mentoring throughout the publication process.

Self-employed

Jan, 2014 — Present
Pursued publication through cold querying, secured an agent, and sold my debut at auction. My subsequent novel also sold at auction in a significant deal. I have since sold 5+ projects on submission or proposal in multiple categories and markets.

Various

Jan, 2001 — Jan, 2016 (about 15 years)
Prior to writing, I worked in consumer product development with companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Swingline, Papermate, Wilton, Dremel, Haier, Crate & Barrel, Fiskars, and Medela. My products secured dozens of patents and won awards such as Business Week's International Design Excellence Award, the JPMA Innovation Award, the Good Design Award, Industrial Design Excellence Awards, and CES Best of Innovations Award. I’m an expert in consumer advocacy and strategic development in a wide range of fields. I relish exploring and mastering new topics, and my unique perspective allows me to tap into what truly resonates with consumers.

Portfolio

When You Have to Wait

Conklin, Melanie

Roaring Brook Press

Developmental Editing
Alice's Colorful New World

Whilden, Kristy

BookBaby

Developmental Editing
The Family Fortuna

Eagar, Lindsay

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing

Melanie has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

N C.

N C.

Dec, 2023

Pinned
Melanie is an exceptionally meticulous developmental editor, whose dedication for her craft shines through in every aspect of her work. The thoroughness of her notes are a testament to her commitment, reflecting a level of thoughtfulness that goes far beyond the norm. Her ability to provide cle...
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Cynthia R.

Cynthia R.

Dec, 2023

Pinned
Melanie was such a great help to me! She gave me very helpful feedback on how to make my PB story stronger. She also had a call with me and was happy to answer all my questions. She explained in more details on ways to revise my book and gave me really good advice on what I should do. I highly re...
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aida R.

aida R.

Nov, 2025

Thank you Melanie. We enjoyed working with you!
Dania N.

Dania N.

Nov, 2025

Melanie is an excellent editor. She knows the literary agent business and provided helpful feedback that will improve my Middle Grade book and make my submission shine. We also had a Zoom conference. She’s very professional, and her fee for the project was fair.
Carm R.

Carm R.

Nov, 2025

Melanie was prompt, and she gave me some amazing advice for my query letter.

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