Ema Barnes

Ema Barnes – Editor

Globally focused editor/coach with an emphasis on contemporary and women's fiction. An inquisitive style guides Ema's big picture editing.

Overview

**Currently booking editing slots for late-April and May!***

Ema spent over three years at literary agency Park & Fine Literary and Media after working in the rights departments for Farrar, Straus & Giroux and Henry Holt. She worked with authors to sell translation rights to all types of projects including contemporary fiction, popular science, and young adult. In university, Ema wrote her thesis on the portrayal and romanticisation of depression in Young Adult Literature.

Ema is detail oriented and will ask probing questions in order to elevate authors to realize their potential. Her experience selling books into 40+ languages means that she also examines manuscripts with an eye to success in the global markets. She particularly enjoys examining the big picture while developing a manuscript, as well as completing line edits for a final polish. Knowing how complex the publishing industry can be from the outside, she's always happy to answer questions and demystify the publication process.

A native of New Zealand, Ema has called six states and five countries home, and recently spent a winter working in Yellowstone National Park. She is currently living nomadically, but spends a month each year in New York City as well as time in London to keep appraised of the industry from the ground. Her favorite books bring her new perspectives of life, make her feel big emotions, or keep her flipping pages in suspense. When not reading, writing, or editing, Ema is generally watching live music or climbing a mountain.

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Praise for Ema:

"I've never been more excited to keep working on a project." -Owen M.

"Ema has given me a bunch of actionable feedback that has made me think and plan my editing journey more effectively." -Shikha V.

"Ema brings a distinct brand of kindness, humor, and curiosity to this process which made our editorial work together not only easy, but comfortable and exciting! She reminded me that revision should be exciting." -Regan H.

Services
Fiction
Chick Lit Coming of Age Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance New Adult Romantic Comedy
Languages
English (NZ) English (US)

Work experience

Amazon

Jul, 2022 — Present
Ema reads, reviews, and reports on contemporary books and their suitability for adaptation to screen for Amazon's Acquisitions and IP Development.

Park & Fine Literary and Media

Nov, 2018 — Nov, 2021 (about 3 years)
As an associate at a full service literary agency, Ema worked closely with authors such as Nicholas Sparks and Taylor Jenkins Reid to sell translation rights, coordinate film releases, and create global publication strategies. She offered editorial feedback on select manuscripts with an eye towards their success in international markets.

Self-employed

Jan, 2018 — Present
While working as a freelance editor, Ema has done developmental editing, copyediting, and editorial assessments. She has worked one-on-one to do developmental editing prior to submission on all sorts of projects, from young adult novels and romantic comedies, all the way to a project that combined memoir with science fiction! Ema has also provided copyediting services on agented projects and projects ready for submission.

Macmillan Publishers

Aug, 2017 — Nov, 2018 (over 1 year)

Penguin Random House

May, 2017 — Sep, 2017 (4 months)

Portfolio

The Launch Date: A Novel

Slator, Annabelle

Avon

Developmental Editing Query Letter Review
Freckles

Ahern Cecelia

The Return

Sparks, Nicholas

Malibu Rising: A Novel

Reid, Taylor Jenkins

Wishing Upon the Same Stars

Feldman, Jacquetta Nammar

Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Unconventionally, Elle

Jourdana Webber

Everwild Publishing

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Rise of Scarlett Heroux (The North Stars Saga Book 1)

Watson, Elizabeth

Elizabeth Watson Books

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Boring Asian Female

Xu, Canwen

Berkley

Query Letter Review
Made with Reedsy
Edge of Darkness

Phelan, Rich

Bowker

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Glimmer

Aleks, Sam

Editorial Assessment

Ema has 135 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jacqueline L.

Jacqueline L.

Jan, 2026

Pinned
Emma was incredibly thoughtful, generous, and sharp in her feedback. She spent hours on the phone with me going over my synopsis beat by beat, and it was clear she had really sat with the project beforehand. She understood the heart of the story immediately and helped me see where to raise the st...
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David J.

David J.

May, 2024

Pinned
Ema was exactly the sort of editor I was hoping to find when I signed up for Reedsy. She made herself available for general questions as she reviewed the manuscript. She read the entire manuscript carefully and provided thoughtful questions and feedback. She corresponded with me and helped me thi...
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Miranda B.

Miranda B.

Mar, 2024

Pinned
I thought I knew my manuscript better than anyone else ever could. Then Ema read it…I now believe Ema knows the characters and plot even better than I do. I’ve hired multiple editors in the past for other projects. Usually, I dread getting the editorial letter. I’m left feeling overwhelmed and ...
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Kara G.

Kara G.

Feb, 2026

If you’re looking for help with your outline, Ema is a great resource! Ema spent 2 hours on the phone with me walking me through my outline providing me specifics on what works well and what is missing. After trying to write, I felt that my outline wasn’t working for me, so I sent her a new idea ...
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Diane M.

Diane M.

Jan, 2026

Ema really provided excellent insight into what the plot of a Romance Novel needs. I appreciated our lengthy discussion of my synopsis. Ema affirmed that conflict between the main characters is essential, as well as defining what makes them perfect for each other. Also having the transcription...
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