Danielle Higley - Editor
Freelance editor with a passion for young adult and middle grade literature.
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Overview
I got my start in children's lit six years ago and have been passionate about the genre ever since. My experience lies largely in middle grade fiction, though I've been fortunate to take on some YA and middle grade nonfiction as well. As I've grown my client base, I've developed a passion for all parts of the editing process, from the first developmental edit to the final proofread.
When completing a developmental edit, I give a lot of comments, and I ask a lot of questions. Not every author has the same vision for their project, and it's my job to assist in the creative process so the author's intentions can be brought to life. My goal is to collaborate on the work, not to trample all over the author's creativity or voice. In all editing stages—including proofreading and copy editing—my style is gentle but thorough. I prefer to edit using track changes, because I don't want any surprises, and I'll typically explain my thought process on areas with larger edits.
Preference-wise, I love stories with strong, believable plots; a good balance of dialogue and description; and intriguing characters that compel me to care about their wellbeing. I like girl and boy protagonists equally, but I prefer strong girls who defy gender norms, and boy characters who do the same (I've yet to edit a book with a non-binary protag, but I look forward to that day!). In stories where characters are LGBTQ or racially diverse (bring on the diverse books!), I lean toward the idea that an "own voices" author is probably most qualified to write that character. If you don't know what that means, give it a Google. There's a wide range of opinions on this topic, from very favorable to vehement disagreement. My opinion errs on the side of, it's necessary and it's wanted.
When completing a developmental edit, I give a lot of comments, and I ask a lot of questions. Not every author has the same vision for their project, and it's my job to assist in the creative process so the author's intentions can be brought to life. My goal is to collaborate on the work, not to trample all over the author's creativity or voice. In all editing stages—including proofreading and copy editing—my style is gentle but thorough. I prefer to edit using track changes, because I don't want any surprises, and I'll typically explain my thought process on areas with larger edits.
Preference-wise, I love stories with strong, believable plots; a good balance of dialogue and description; and intriguing characters that compel me to care about their wellbeing. I like girl and boy protagonists equally, but I prefer strong girls who defy gender norms, and boy characters who do the same (I've yet to edit a book with a non-binary protag, but I look forward to that day!). In stories where characters are LGBTQ or racially diverse (bring on the diverse books!), I lean toward the idea that an "own voices" author is probably most qualified to write that character. If you don't know what that means, give it a Google. There's a wide range of opinions on this topic, from very favorable to vehement disagreement. My opinion errs on the side of, it's necessary and it's wanted.
I look forward to meeting you and reading your book.
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction
Middle Grade
Mystery & Crime
Romance
Young Adult
Certifications
- Poynter News University Certificate in Copyediting
- ACES Certificate in Editing
- Bachelor's in English Literature from The College of Idaho
- Certificate in Business Administration from the Foster School of Business at UW
Work experience
Executive Editor
Self-employed
August, 2017
–
Present
(over 3 years)
My job is to help authors put the final spit and polish on their book, prior to self-publishing or submitting to a traditional publisher or agent. I provide everything from developmental editing services to proofreading.
Lead Editor
The Newsletter Pro
March, 2014
–
November, 2016
(over 2 years)
I was The Newsletter Pro's lead editor, managing a team of five copy editors and proofreaders and completing edits for over 200 B2C and B2B clients. Our goal was to help every client (from dentists to funeral directors) create a high-quality monthly newsletter, postcard, and/or flier to facilitate optimum retention and referrals. In this position, I created the company's marketing style guide (still in use today) and developed systems for minimizing errors.
Children's Editorial Intern
Chronicle Books
May, 2013
–
November, 2013
(6 months)
My job was to assist all of Chronicle's children's editors. My duties included writing flap copy for their award-winning picture books, doing market research for acquisitions, reading unsolicited manuscripts, writing the text for three finger-puppet board books, and creating mock-ups for games.
Editorial Intern
Charlesbridge Publishing
June, 2012
–
September, 2012
(3 months)
I assisted all the editors in this internship for Charlesbridge Publishing. My main prerogatives were to sort through and read unsolicited manuscripts, write declines, and assist with researching historical facts and information for books in the revision process.
Portfolio (28 selected works)
If the Hat Fits (Miss Bunsen's School for Brilliant Girls)
Erica-Jane Waters
It's a new school year with the same old problems: the school is going to run out of money! A local engineering competition might just keep them funded for another year. Can Millie and her friends Pearl and Halinka invent a way out of the mess? With some guidance from their eccentric headmistress Miss Bunsen, anything seems possible.
Secret on the Thirteenth Floor (The Boxcar Children Mysteries)
Gertrude Chandler Warner
Black cats? Broken mirrors? The number thirteen? The owner of the art deco apartment building in nearby Silver City believes in all kinds of superstitions. The Aldens aren’t so sure about most of them, but there’s one thing they do know: something strange is going on on the thirteenth floor. Are they just coincidences, or is the building manager onto something?
Girls of Firefly Cabin
Cynthia Ellingsen
Lauren, Isla, Jade, and Archer meet the first day of summer camp, and friendship magic is made in Firefly Cabin. If only they could immortalize their summer memories by winning the contest to be the face of the camp’s website. But it won’t be easy; not with rival cabins, distracting crushes, and of course, the girl’s own secrets getting in the way. Can friendship—and the Fireflies—triumph over... read more
The Boxcar Children know how much work it takes to live in the wilderness. They also know how much fun it can be! The children love exploring and learning new things at a primitive skills summer camp. But when strange things start happening around the camp, they need to use another of their favorite skills--mystery solving!
The Exceptional Maggie Chowder
Lute, Renee Beauregard, Valentine, Luna
Science Fair Sabotage (The Boxcar Children Mysteries)
Warner, Gertrude Chandler, VanArsdale, Anthony
Keep This to Yourself
Tom Ryan
It’s been a year since the Catalog Killer terrorized the sleepy seaside town of Camera Cove, killing four people before disappearing without a trace. Like everyone else in town, eighteen-year-old Mac Bell is trying to put that horrible summer behind him—easier said than done since Mac’s best friend Connor was the murderer’s final victim. But when he finds a cryptic message from Connor, he’s dr... read more
The Salt in Our Blood
Morgyn, Ava
ABC, Rise Up and Be!: An Empowering Alphabet for Changing the World
Riley Guertin, Annemarie, Sonke, Sandie
Dad: The Man, the Myth, the Legend
Lowe, Mifflin, Torrent, Dani
Inner Workings: The Extraordinary Insides of Ordinary Things
Bushel & Peck Books, Zakharova, Olga
Are You Still There
Sarah Lynn Scheerger
Gabriella Mallory, AP student and perfect-daughter-in-training, stands barefoot on a public toilet for three hours while her school is on lockdown. Someone has planted a bomb and she is hiding. The bomb is defused but the would-be-bomber is still at large. And everyone at Central High School is a suspect. The school starts a top-secret crisis help line and Gabi is invited to join. When she doe... read more
Mindful Me: Mindfulness and Meditation for Kids
Whitney Stewart
Sometimes kids’ lives can get busy and out of control, and worries can take over. When that happens, knowing how to pause and regain composure with mindfulness can help! This easily digestible guide introduces kids to mindfulness as a way to find clarity, manage stress, handle difficult emotions, and navigate personal challenges. With step-by-step instructions to over thirty breathing, relaxat... read more
Mindful Me Activity Book
Whitney Stewart
Being mindful won’t take away your problems, but it can help you handle them. In this activity book, kids will learn to settle their thoughts and look inward through a series of fun writing prompts, games, and meditation exercises. Serving as a guide to reflect upon the lessons learned in Mindful Me, it offers kids a place to record their reflections, creating a tangible account of how far the... read more
Archipelago
Mati Raine
"If normal were an ocean, we'd be an Archipelago." 14-year old Lilly Douglas is a girl who has been sheltered from the world since the moment she was born. Gifted with avian like wings and strands of lilac hair, she never realizes how different she is. After a terrifying attack on her home, she is forced to run from everything she knew, and find shelter at a place called Charity Academy. Here ... read more
Only Words: Book One of the Shane Ashby Trilogy
Summer Kiska
If magick defines me, who am I without it?Has your boyfriend been turned into a bunny? Does your creepy stalker need a time-out as a toad? Or maybe you want a little more oomph in your spells? Shane Ashby—Celtic witch with three times the power of your average magick-user—has you covered.Or, well, at least I used to.I’ve been cursed. That’s bad enough, but now I have to defend against a sister... read more
Freddie Ramos Hears It All (Zapato Power)
Jacqueline Jules
Freddie Ramos loves his new Zapato Power—super hearing! He can listen in on conversations and find hero jobs. But soon Freddie realizes the temptation to eavesdrop on everyone is too great. Can Freddie find a way to use his super hearing without snooping?
The Secret of the Shadow Bandit (The Curious Cat Spy Club)
Linda Joy Singleton
Kelsey’s dad has a new job and that means a new houseon the same property as a castle! Kelsey, Becca, and Leo can’t wait to explore, but what they find might lead to their most intricate case yet. How are an abandoned tree house, a wad of cash, a missing heirloom, and a mysterious creature roaming the grounds all connected? The Curious Cat Spy Club is determined to find out!
Dog-Gone Danger (The Curious Cat Spy Club)
Linda Joy Singleton
When Kelsey and her friends find an abandoned pug puppy, it looks like another case for the Curious Cat Spy Club. But shortly thereafter, Kelsey’s mother goes missing—possibly in the line of duty as an Animal Control officer—and it's up to the CCSC to discover what happened. As they search for Kelsey's mom, they start to wonder if her disappearance is somehow linked to the puppy they found. Th... read more
When local chocolate maker Ms. Kozlow comes to the Juicy Gizzard potion shop asking for luck, Sasha needs to find out why. Does Ms. Kozlow need luck because she has a matchmaking appointment with Granny Yenta this afternoon? Can Sasha and her new friend Puck make it Ms. Kozlow’s lucky day?
Freddie Ramos Adds It All Up (Zapato Power)
Jacqueline Jules
When Amy, the new girl at school, is being bullied, Freddie Ramos uses his Zapato Power to help her. But then she disappears! Super hearing, super speed, and super bounce doesn’t help Freddie find her. And his superpowers aren't helping Freddie with his own school problem either—he's failing math. Can Freddie find a way to help Amy and his math grade?
The Trail of the Ghost Bunny (The Curious Cat Spy Club)
Linda Joy Singleton
Kelsey and her family have moved into an abandoned B&B that they're fixing up. It’s a beautiful place and it even comes with its own bunny…but it also seems to come with its own ghost. With the help of their new bunny friend, Kelsey and her friends and CCSC clubmates Becca and Leo investigate the true source of the mysterious on-goings at the B&B. This story closes out the series in a satisfyi... read more
Freddie Ramos Tracks Down a Drone (Zapato Power)
Jacqueline Jules
Mr. Vaslov is building a drone to help him take care of Starwood Park--but that's Freddie's job! And when Freddie finds out his mom has a new boyfriend, he's worried about their relationship too. How can his Zapato Power help with all this change?
When greedy Vadim Gentry orders a potion of persuasion from the Juicy Gizzard, Sasha is suspicious. But it's not until he slips it into Papa's drink and orders him to sell the shop that Sasha realizes the problem: If Papa says no, Vadim will know their potions don't work, but if Papa says yes, they'll lose the shop forever! What will Sasha do?
The Skeleton Key Mystery (The Boxcar Children Mysteries)
Warner, Gertrude Chandler, VanArsdale, Anthony
South of Sunshine
Dana Elmendorf
What is Kaycee willing to risk for the sake of love? And what will she risk for acceptance? In Sunshine, Tennessee, the main event in town is Friday night football, the biggest party of the year is held in a field filled with pickup trucks, and church attendance is mandatory. For Kaycee Jean McCoy, life in Sunshine means dating guys she has no interest in, saying only "yes, ma'am" when the loc... read more
Penny for Your Thoughts (Miss Bunsen's School for Brilliant Girls)
Erica-Jane Waters
When Miss Bunsen receives a mysterious invitation to compete in a maze adventure for a big prize, Pearl, Millie, and Halinka are excited to put their problem-solving skills to the test under pressure. But even though they're cracking all the right codes, they find themselves trapped in the strange maze—and Miss Bunsen has to give up her book of secrets in order to set them free! Will the girls... read more
Freddie Ramos Gets a Sidekick (Zapato Power)
Jules, Jacqueline, Ward, Keiron
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