Connolly Bottum

Connolly Bottum – Editor

Former HarperCollins editor specializing in editorial assessments and developmental edits for young adult, middle grade, and romance novels.

Overview

Prior to freelancing, I worked as an in-house editor at HarperCollins for nearly five years. At the beginning of my time with the company, I edited romance novels for Harlequin Intrigue, Love Inspired, and Love Inspired Suspense before later becoming an editor for Inkyard Press, a children’s imprint of HarperCollins, which gave me the opportunity to edit many wonderful young adult and middle grade novels. I am proud to say that books I edited have won awards, become Indie Next picks, and been selected for several subscription book boxes, including OwlCrate, The Bookish Box, and Beacon Book Box, among others.


I specialize in editorial assessments and developmental edits since my favorite part of the editorial process is helping authors to ensure their story structures are as strong as possible. I love exploring new fantastical worlds and inviting authors to consider how they can make their contemporary settings feel more realistic, and I adore the puzzle-like process of figuring out how a novel could feel more cohesive and engaging.


I was raised in San Francisco but later moved to the East Coast to attend Amherst College, where I received a BA in Psychology and English with a concentration in Children’s Literature. I now live in New York City with my Chihuahua mix, Jasper.


I look forward to hearing from you!


***


"Working with Connolly has been one of the highlights of my career. Connolly has a keen editorial eye and excels at helping writers play to their strengths, while never losing sight of their unique voice and perspective. She's also an amazing cheerleader—her encouraging notes make all the difference during the revision process. I've grown as a writer thanks to Connolly, and I would eagerly work with her in the future!" —Mara Rutherford, author of The Poison Season, Luminous, and the Crown of Coral and Pearl duology

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Romance Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy New Adult Paranormal Romance Romantic Fantasy Urban Fantasy Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2022 — Present

Inkyard Press/HarperCollins

Oct, 2021 — May, 2022 (7 months)

• Acquired and edited 7-9 books annually for Inkyard Press, an imprint publishing young adult and middle grade novels, while also preparing materials for paperback editions of titles released previously in hardcover
• Wrote copy for all of my projects, optimizing the voice and content for the intended audience

Inkyard Press and Harlequin Intrigue

Oct, 2019 — Oct, 2021 (about 2 years)

• Acquired and edited approximately 4-6 Inkyard titles and 8-10 romance titles annually

Harlequin/HarperCollins

Nov, 2017 — Oct, 2019 (almost 2 years)

• Worked as the departmental assistant for Harlequin Intrigue and Harlequin’s Subsidiary Rights and Audio team
• Served as the editor for five authors who write for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense

Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC

Jun, 2016 — Aug, 2016 (2 months)

• Read and evaluated over 200 queries to determine which manuscripts should be requested for further consideration
• Wrote over 30 reader’s reports comprised of synopses, evaluations, and recommendations in order to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of manuscripts

Portfolio

A Forgery of Roses

Olson, Jessica S.

The Poison Season

Rutherford, Mara

Inkyard Press

Made with Reedsy
Gilded Wicked Mirrors

St. Lewis, Hazel

Hidden Siren

Love Requires Chocolate (Love in Translation)

Stringfield, Ravynn K.

Joy Revolution

A Multitude of Dreams

Rutherford, Mara

These Vengeful Hearts

Laurin, Katherine

You Truly Assumed

Sabreen, Laila

The Last One to Fall

Lepore, Gabriella

Every Time You Go Away

Johnson, Abigail

I Like Me Better

Weber, Robby

Sing Me Forgotten

Olson, Jessica S.

This Is Why We Lie

Lepore, Gabriella

Luminous

Rutherford, Mara

Connolly has 49 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Cyndi D.

Cyndi D.

Sep, 2024

Pinned
Connolly is a complete professional with a depth of wisdom and knowledge. I can ask her what seem like remedial questions (like, how to show not tell?) and she responds with clarity and encouragement, even while she's instructing me in the finer points of fiction. I have worked with her as a consultant for my first fiction project from the get go and her read of my first chapters is highly bene...
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Connolly B.
Thank you for your kind words, Cyndi! I always really enjoy working with you, so it was such a pleasure to read your opening chapters. I'm so excited to see how this story will come together as you...
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Taylor O.

Taylor O.

Aug, 2024

Pinned
Connolly is a PHENOMENAL editor! After working with multiple beta readers, I was looking for some help in the romance department of my latest work. Connolly provided clear guidance and ideas that absolutely improved the manuscript and led to full requests with agents. Also being able to talk 1:1 via zoom helped tremendously with implementing the feedback. Would absolute work with Connolly again!
Connolly B.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Taylor! I truly enjoyed working with you, and I'm so happy to hear my feedback has helped you to receive full requests from agents. I hope to see your fantast...
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Livvy H.

Livvy H.

Aug, 2024

Pinned
Connolly quickly became one of my favorite editors to work with. She was kind, professional and extremely helpful. Her responsiveness was top notch, and she never missed a deadline. I felt very comfortable talking with her and I found myself eagerly looking forward to our scheduled calls. I would recommend Connolly's services to anyone!
Connolly B.
Thank you so much, Livvy! I truly enjoyed working with you, and I'm so thrilled that you were able to finish your manuscript ahead of schedule. That's quite an accomplishment! I wish you the absolu...
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Susan H.

Susan H.

Nov, 2024

Connolly did an amazing job providing helpful feedback on my latest novel. Her comments were spot on while being sensitive and thoughtful. I will definitely be using her for future projects and count myself fortunate to have encountered her on Reedsy. - Susan Hanafee
Melissa A.

Melissa A.

Nov, 2024

Connolly was thoughtful, professional, and thorough with her feedback.

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