Elizabeth Dougherty

Elizabeth Dougherty – Editor

30+ years developmental editor and book coach. 100+ books. Specialties: parenting, health, leadership. Passion: helping authors succeed.

Overview

Transform your nonfiction book idea into a polished manuscript with expert guidance through the whole writing and publishing process. Whatever your book goal is, I can help you get it done.

From the idea stage to a solid outline, book proposal, query letter, and first to final drafts, I leverage my 30+ years as a 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 and story — in a way that saves you time, effort, and money.

I specialize in health, leadership, 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.

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 Gymboree's first app.

Since 2015, I've worked with BabyCenter, the world’s largest parenting website, reaching 50 million parents. My coverage of maternal depression won two Digital Health Awards. I also write for Rare Parenting, HealthCentral, and healthcare content marketing agencies. I wrote the Klutz book String Art.

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 parenting, healthcare, mental health, and leadership, I work with writers to transform ideas into world-class content that engages the reader. I especially like to coach authors through the publishing process, starting with a clear premise and solid outline. My clients say that my advice saves them time, money, and angst. Clients include individual authors, 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

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 resear... read more
Developmental Editing
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 ... read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Destination Birth

Bisset, Alexander Wage

Bubba Books

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Mindful with Me: Connecting with Your Child Through Daily Mindfulness

Dennehy M.Ed., Sarah

The Collective Book Studio

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
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 illustr... read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Gymboree Diaper Bag Companion: Toddler Play

Roni Cohen Leiderman

Metro Books

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 skil... read more
Developmental Editing
Natural Yoga Fitness For Body and Spirit.
Developmental Editing
The Body Shop Massage

Monica Roseberry

Simple solutions for everyday stresses
Developmental Editing
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 Pla... read more
Developmental Editing
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 childre... read more
Developmental Editing
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 yea... read more
Developmental Editing
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.Fr... read more
Developmental Editing
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 co... read more
Developmental Editing
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 m... read more
Developmental Editing
Hardcover, 141 pages
Developmental Editing
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, t... read more
Developmental Editing
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 ... read more
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing

Elizabeth has 19 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Amanda F.

Amanda F.

May, 2024

Pinned
Elizabeth is wonderful to work with and I am so grateful I connected with her as a book coach in the early stages of my project. Elizabeth went out of her way to make sure she offered services that reflected what I really needed (and didn't know I needed), instead of just what I had asked for in my original brief. She is direct, thoughtful, and invested in the best interests and success of her ...
Read more
brooke H.

brooke H.

Mar, 2024

Pinned
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

Pinned
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...
Read more
Justin K.

Justin K.

Nov, 2024

I hired Elizabeth for some coaching work which involved a very detailed questionnaire about my project and an hour video chat, helping me determine the best next steps for my book. As someone who truly didn't know where to start, this work with Elizabeth helped me find the best path forward and next steps. She had a lot of great insight and asked the right questions to help me choose what to do...
Read more
Katya R.

Katya R.

Oct, 2024

I requested a consultation with Elizabeth for book coaching. She suggested we initially speak by phone, and she was incredibly warm, kind, and patient when we spoke. She offered concrete and immediately actionable guidance for building an author platform and navigating options for publication. She was exceedingly generous with her time and provided additional resources that have proved invaluab...
Read more

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Elizabeth and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Elizabeth

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Ray Sylvester

Ray S.

Developmental editing and copy editing for the nonfiction world: health, nutrition, fitness, tech, and entrepreneurship.

Northampton, United States

100% reply rate

View profile
Jeremy Butterfield

Jeremy B.

Creative & sharp-eyed editor; OUP published expert on English. Let's chat about giving your book the publishing success it deserves.

York, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Susan Gaigher

Susan G.

I am an editor, author coach, and publishing consultant with 15 years' experience in the publishing industry.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

100% reply rate

View profile