Elizabeth Dougherty – Editor

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 35+ 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.