Elizabeth Dougherty

Elizabeth Dougherty – Editor

20+ years as a book editor and coach. 100+ books. Specializing in parenting, health, leadership. Passionate developmental editor.

Overview

Transform your ideas into a book that amplifies your voice as a thought leader, crystalizes your personal brand, and increases your professional visibility. Whatever your passion project, I can help you get it done.

From the idea stage to an outline, book proposal, query letter, and first to final drafts, I leverage my 20+ years as a nonfiction developmental editor and book coach on more than 100 books to ensure your manuscript receives high-quality, professional editing. Together, we’ll define, refine, and amplify your voice — in a way that saves you time, effort, and money.

I specialize in leadership, lifestyle, health, and all things parenting—pregnancy, babies, and child development. I also help authors think broadly about their branding messaging and how to extend their manuscript content to blogs, conference presentations, and online courses. For example, I edited Jo Miller's book Woman of Influence.

As the executive editor of the lifestyle, parenting, and children's division at book publisher Weldon Owen, I developed clients' content strategies and managed their books from idea to publication. I launched book publishing programs for Parenting and Working Mother magazines, and ran programs for big-name brands such as Gymboree, Pottery Barn Kids, The Body Shop, and Hallmark. I produced several lines of children's reference books, as well as Gymboree's first app.

A parent myself, I'm devoted to ensuring that pregnant women and parents get the best information possible. Since 2015, I've worked with BabyCenter, the world’s largest parenting website, reaching 50 million parents. As a senior editor for two years, I tackled topics ranging from breastfeeding to bed-wetting, and my coverage of maternal depression won two Digital Health Awards.

I served as both the developmental editor and the SME reviewer for a book about baby play activities published by Callisto Media.

On the flip side, I wrote the Klutz book String Art and served as the project manager.

A longtime Silicon Valley resident, I previously served as executive producer at a Disney-owned consumer website, helped launch a vacation-itinerary startup, and advised TechCrunch on its sponsored content process. I am chief content officer of the startup Positive Caregiving.

I have a master's degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

Services
Non-Fiction
Business & Management Health & Wellbeing Home & Garden Parenting & Families Writing & Publishing
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Digital Health Award: Series (depression and pregnancy)
  • Digital Health Award: Series (postpartum depression)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2012 — Present

As a developmental editor specializing in women's leadership and all things parenting, I work with writers to transform ideas into world-class content that engages the reader. I also coach authors on the publishing process and create content for women leaders. Clients include individual speakers, BabyCenter, Sunset Books, Callisto Media, VIA magazine, Stanford University, TechCrunch, and Silicon Valley women executives.

BabyCenter

Sep, 2015 — Sep, 2017 (about 2 years)

At the world's largest parenting website, which reaches 50 million users, I won two Digital Health Awards and led content initiatives on topics such as healthy recipes, breastfeeding, maternal depression, nursery design and safety, and bed-wetting. Sponsored content on solids that I wrote ranked in the top 10 articles the month it launched.

Weldon Owen

Sep, 2003 — Jan, 2012 (over 8 years)

I created books for brands such as Pottery Barn, Hallmark, and Gymboree, managing all editorial aspects from concept through release. I launched book programs for Parenting and Working Mother magazines and developed Gymboree's first app. I collaborated with editors, designers, art directors, and production, marketing, and sales teams. For each title, I hired and managed freelance editors, writers, copy editors, proofreaders, and fact-checkers.

Portfolio

String Art was originally invented to make math concepts more accessible to kids, but it isn't just for squares (or triangles or circles) any more. With our crystal-clear, step-by-step illustrated system you only need to learn three simple techniques to make a... read more
Baby Play (Gymboree)

DR. WENDY S. MASI & DR. RONI COHEN LEIDE

All new parents are eager to help their baby discover the world around them, and BABY PLAY was designed to help parents engage their infant in activities that will encourage developmental skills. From the first month home through the twelfth, BABY PLAY offers ... read more
Gymboree Shapes

Inc. Weldon Owen

See 2nd image for details.
Natural Yoga Fitness For Body and Spirit.
A small pocket guide with hard board enclosing a small number of pages. Wrapped in a red bow.
The Body Shop Massage

Monica Roseberry

Simple solutions for everyday stresses
Parenting Magazine Look + Learn Numbers

Editors of Parenting Magazine

Look + Learn Numbers is part of a new series of board books from the editors of Parenting magazine. Cheerful photographs of animals and nature provide an engaging illustration of the numbers from one to ten. Parents will appreciate that Parenting magazine work... read more
Parenting Magazine Look + Learn Sounds

Editors of Parenting Magazine

Recommended by the editors of Parenting Magazine, this durable, board book format teaches key learning concepts and developmental skills in a fun way. Stunning animal photos illustrate essential concepts. Natural examples encourage imitation and interaction, a... read more
Parenting Magazine Look + Learn Patterns

Editors of Parenting Magazine

Look + Learn Sounds is part of a new series of board books from the editors of Parenting magazine. Cheerful photographs of animals and nature introduce children to common animal sounds. Parents will appreciate that Parenting magazine worked with educational ex... read more
Parenting Magazine Look + Learn Colors

Editors of Parenting Magazine

Look + Learn Colors is part of a new series of board books from the editors of Parenting magazine. Cheerful photographs of animals and nature provide a playful introduction to color. Parents will appreciate that Parenting magazine worked with educational exper... read more
Thrilling photographs take you behind the scenes with mighty machines. Also in collectible series Airplanes, Emergency Vehicles & Trucks.
The best way to teach children—through play—also happens to be the most fun. Packed with 1,001 entertaining and educational activities for children from birth to five years old, Gymboree’s Play & Learn is a must-have resource for parents—and indeed for anyone ... read more
Gymboree Baby and Toddler Play compiles the best of the highly successful Gymboree Baby Play and Toddler Play activity books to feature more than 170 fun and educational activities for children from birth to three years of age.Engaging children in fun-filled p... read more
Moms-to-be or new moms will find humor, help, and inspiration in Show Mom How, a fully illustrated, step-by-step guide to everything a mom needs to know from pregnancy through baby’s first year.Show Mom How brings the parenting expertise of Babytalk magazine t... read more
The creators of the bestselling Your Pregnancy Bible have created a photo-illustrated, all-in-one resource on caring for babies and toddlers—giving you fast and easy access to expert advice.From breastfeeding to baths, keeping young children fed, clean, safe, ... read more
Help any new or expecting father become the coolest, smartest, and most prepared dad around with Show Dad How, a fully illustrated, step-by-step guide to everything a dad needs to know from conception through baby’s first year.For dads who are excited to be in... read more
A contemporary, beautiful, and best of all, highly practical guide to the whole world of beauty, fitness, and relaxation for women of all ages. Created in the basic style of our best-selling manual series (lead title, The Total Outdoorsman, with over 200,000 c... read more
22 action-packed posters and activity place mats! Enjoy hours of fun and learning with your favorite cereal characters. Colorful posters easily pull out. Remove one at a time or keep bound as a book. Great art activities for your child to enjoy during breakfas... read more
Diggers are some of the hardest workers in the machine world. These spectacular photographs show off diggers in action, everywhere from farms to construction sites. With special attachments that scoop, drill, haul, and crush, they're ready to dig in and get th... read more
Make way! Emergency vehicles are racing to the rescue. Catch fire trucks, police cars, and helicopters speeding to the scene in this exciting collection of photographs. Whether dealing with trouble on busy city streets or faraway mountain peaks, these emergenc... read more
Get ready for take-off with dynamic and colorful airplanes! These exciting photographs show off huge passenger jets, cargo planes, gliders, and many other amazing airplanes. Meet the pilots, visit the airport, and marvel at breathtaking aerobatics and air race... read more
Hop on board for a trip on the world's most exciting trucks. From big rigs to pickups, you'll see them all working hard. Whether they're plowing snow, hauling gravel, or making a special delivery, trucks have lots of important jobs. Thrilling photographs revea... read more
From the experts at Parenting magazine comes this essential planner that's both an informative guide to pregnancy and a keepsake journal for moms-to-be. Organized week by week and packed with insights from experienced moms along with helpful charts and checkli... read more
Hardcover, 141 pages
Every day, working mothers encounter and overcome new challenges large and small at home, at the office, and on the road. From the editors of Working Mother, veteran working moms themselves, this book offers clear, straightforward solutions and practical short... read more
In homes with growing children, every room is a kid’s room! This essential guide shows you how to create stylish, child-friendly spaces—from overall design schemes to imaginative organization solutions to easy, step-by-step decorating projects to enjoy with yo... read more
From the editors of Parenting magazine and the popular parenting blogger Meagan Francis. The Happiest Mom shows us that motherhood is not an obstacle to joy. Drawing on recent happiness research, conversations with hundreds of other moms, and her own experienc... read more

Elizabeth has 13 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

brooke H.

brooke H.

Mar, 2024

Working with Elizabeth was like taking a mini master class! Her revisions and suggestions taught me so much and were exactly what I needed to elevate my book to the next level and progress. She responded quickly with specific actionable feedback and respected my budget. I’m so glad I made the decision to collaborate and learn from her, I highly recommend that you do the same!
Daniella S.

Daniella S.

Jan, 2024

Elizabeth is a terrific developmental editor and I would recommend her highly. I am a first-time author and greatly appreciated Elizabeth’s professional and experienced guidance. She is extremely organised, reliable and detail-oriented, as well as positive and encouraging. She is a wonderful collaborator who really believes in making sure the author’s voice and point of view come through. I wou...
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Alex B.

Alex B.

May, 2023

I am a first time author and worked with Elizabeth both for editing and proofreading. She was professional, timely, and patient, with great attention to detail. Her positivity really helped me get my project over the finish line. I would definitely work with her again and highly recommend her to anyone else considering her.
Shannon T.

Shannon T.

Oct, 2022

My first session with Elizabeth was incredibly helpful both with editing and developmental ideas. She has given me inspiration and motivation to carry on with my project and I'm very much looking forward to continuing to work with her.
Barbara T.

Barbara T.

Jun, 2022

thanks

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