Connolly Bottum – Editor

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, developmental edits, and book coaching 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. After residing in New York City for several years, I moved back to San Francisco, where I now live with my Chihuahua mix, Jasper.

I look forward to hearing from you!

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"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