Erin Young

Erin Young – Editor

Experienced writer, editor and agent with an MFA in Creative Writing. I have edited New York Times bestselling books and series. 10+ years

Overview

I am a literary agent, an experienced writer and a freelance editor working through EY Edits.


I have worked at several literary magazines, editing stories for publication. This allowed me to work with shorter forms of fiction and nonfiction and to understand how to make these stories stand out.


As an agent, I understand the traditional marketplace. I've taught classes at the University of Southern California on how it works. I've worked through the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) to mentor writers to make their fiction more salable. I've maintained a long client list and sold their novels to the big five after closely editing them. I have worked with New York Times bestselling authors and their bestselling books and series as well as many other critically-acclaimed authors through my agency. I have seen manuscripts at all levels and have helped them develop from ideas into a polished work, ready to be published. This makes me qualified to edit your fiction, while also giving it a salable direction.


As a writer, I understand the importance of preserving the integrity of a work. I understand how important it is while editing to make sure not to stifle the voice, intent, or diction of the author. This can be easily overlooked when editing an early draft or copy editing for grammar, but I feel confident that I will preserve your work and make it shine.


Additionally, I love to give my clients help with publishing, whether it's through query letter review or knowledge and a good word. The publishing industry can be tough to get into if you don't know how. That's where I come in.


Why should you hire me?

It was my job to get books in shape to be sold to traditional publishers. This is how I learned to edit, always with the direction of how to make a book more marketable and help it sell for the most money possible. Most editors from the top five do not have to think about editing this way because they edit books that have already proven to be marketable--this is the only reason they acquire them--so they don't have the skill set to make a book more marketable. They only know how to clean it up. If you want to sell more books or position your book to be sold to these acquiring editors, you need an editor who knows how to take you from a middling story to something that stands out. This is my specialty.

Services
Fiction
Epic Fantasy Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy Romance Thriller & Suspense Urban Fantasy Women's Fiction Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • APALA Honor Award
  • Walter Honor Award
  • 2017 NAIBA Book of the Year
  • New York Times Bestselling Book
  • New York Times bestselling series
  • 2017 Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature
  • Kirkus Best Indie Book of 2022
  • Amazon Bestseller
Certifications
  • MFA, Creative Writing

Work experience

Self-employed

Feb, 2016 — Present

As an editor and a literary agent, I work with emerging artists to polish and sell their literary works.

Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC

Dec, 2013 — Jun, 2018 (over 4 years)

As a literary agent, I represent books to sell at publishing houses. I also do developmental editing and copy-editing for the agency.

The Industry

Feb, 2013 — Present

Co-wrote the libretto for the critically acclaimed Hopscotch: A Mobile Opera in Los Angeles.

tNY Press

Jan, 2013 — Sep, 2014 (over 1 year)

Read and selected short story entries.
Edited various essays and books.
Collaborated with marketing and sales.

Portfolio

This “clever opener likely to leave readers breathless both with laughter and anticipation” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) is the first in the New York Times bestselling series from the author of the Half Upon a Time trilogy.Life is boring when you live in t... read more
All your questions are answered in the fifth book in James Dashner’s #1 New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series. The story that fans all over the world have been waiting for — the story of how Thomas and WICKED built the Maze — is finally here. You do no... read more
A magical hotel, a mysterious tree, and a cryptic story about their missing father leads twins Cam and Cass on a worldly adventure in this enchanting debut novel that’s perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and Wildwood. Twins Cam and Cass h... read more
Owen, Kiel, and Bethany confront secrets, stolen memories, and some very familiar faces in the second book in the New York Times bestselling series, Story Thieves—which was called a “fast-paced, action-packed tale” by School Library Journal—from the author of ... read more
A stunning, heartbreaking debut novel about grief, love and family, perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Celeste Ng.Leigh Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: when her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird.Leigh, who is half-Asian and half-w... read more
From James Dashner, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, comes The Game of Lives, the final book in the Mortality Doctrine series, an edge-of-your-seat cyber-adventure trilogy that includes The Eye of Minds and The Rule of Thoughts. ... read more
“This surprising, compassionate story brings to life the secret, guilty fantasy of many overworked moms.” —People “In an enthralling novel reminiscent of Anne Tyler’s Ladder of Years, a woman who recently suffered a heart attack runs away to recover her equili... read more
Spontaneous

Aaron S.

"Aaron Starmer skillfully welds sharp humor, deep loss, and roaring escapades. Truly the smartest and funniest book about spontaneous combustion you will ever read." —John Green, #1 bestselling author of The Fault In Our StarsA TIME magazine Top 10 YA & Childr... read more
Bethany travels to a new fictional world to rescue her father in this third book in the New York Times bestselling series, Story Thieves—which was called a “fast-paced, action-packed tale” by School Library Journal—from the author of the Half Upon a Time trilo... read more
When Caitlin Sommers finds herself alone in a deserted parking lot with blood on her clothes and no memory of the past few months, it seems like one of the nightmares that have tormented her for years…but it’s all too real. Desperate to learn the truth about w... read more
An Indie Next List Pick “Filled with kindness and hope, but also with the harsh realities of the horrors of war, this heartbreaking book is a necessary reminder of what many people live through every day.” —Booklist (starred review) Nadia’s family is forced to... read more
Madness

Zac B.

New York Times bestselling author Zac Brewer delivers his most honest and gripping novel yet, about a girl who believes she’s beyond saving—until she realizes the only person who can save her is herself.Brooke Danvers is pretending to be fine. She’s gotten so ... read more
“A story that broke my heart and put it back together again. You won’t want to let Gem and Dixie go.” —Sarah Dessen, New York Times bestselling author of Saint AnythingFrom renowned author and National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr comes a deep, nuanced, and g... read more
Because words can hurt you too.Noah’s the quiet type, which makes him a great friend for Veronica. She chats. He listens. She gabs. He nods. Perfect!So when Veronica spots Noah getting teased, she decides that if he won’t speak up for himself, she will! What s... read more
Because being scared stinks!Seven-year-old Veronica Conti knows a thing or two. She knows that recess is the best part of the day. And if someone, like Maya, doesn’t play at recess because she’s too afraid of bugs, well, that’s a HUGE problem! And it has to be... read more
*Chosen as one of Amazon's Best Books of 2015!**An ALA Notable Book of 2015*The story of the men and women who drove the Voyager spacecraft mission— told by a scientist who was there from the beginning. The Voyager spacecraft are our farthest-flung emissaries—... read more
Beloved author Anne Rockwell celebrates books, the love of reading, and of course, libraries, with a gorgeous new picture book about a child’s first visit to the library!One day, a young boy visits the library for the very first time. While he’s there he liste... read more
Illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award winner Floyd CooperTold for the first time in picture book form is the true story of James Lafayette, a slave who spied for George Washington's army during the American Revolution. But while America celebrated its newfou... read more
"This book will seem fresh to new readers for decades to come." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Family secrets turn deadly in this edgy page-turner about the insidious limits of labels and the ties that bind just a little too tightly, from the New York Times b... read more
A thrilling fantasy adventure perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce and Sarah MaasRavaged by a plague known as Red Death, the planet Gabriel, a former colony of Earth, is a barren wasteland. Since being abandoned by Earth 500 years ago, resources are scarce and li... read more
A family trip to India turns into a grand adventure in this contemporary novel about the Great Partition, from the award-winning author of Saving Kabul Corner and Shooting Kabul.A map, two train tickets, and a mission. These are things twelve-year-old Maya and... read more
A heartbreaking and mindbending story of a talented teenage artist's awakening to the brokenness of her family from critically acclaimed award-winner A.S. King.Sixteen-year-old Sarah can't draw. This is a problem, because as long as she can remember, she has "... read more
Anna and the French Kiss meets The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks in a romantic and hilarious new novel from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy. Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity . . ... read more
An honest and captivating memoir of the author’s childhood struggles as a result of a brain tumor, only discovered following a near-fatal car accident. All her life, Emily has felt different from other kids. Between therapist visits, sudden uncontrollable burs... read more
From award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes, a powerful novel set fifteen years after the 9/11 attacks. When her fifth-grade teacher hints that a series of lessons about home and community will culminate with one big answer about two tall towers once visibl... read more
An alien child prodigy must embark on an adventure through space to find a cure for her terminal illness.

Erin has 215 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Steven Y.

Steven Y.

Sep, 2023

It is a pure delight to have worked with Erin. She was timely with her edits and spot on. I liked that she suggested broadening certain areas of my novel. I am working to incorporate her suggestions. I recommend her without reservation.
Marilla M.

Marilla M.

Sep, 2023

Erin was awesome. She was patient, helpful, and intentional with her comments and went beyond what was asked to help me puzzle out the right wording with my query letter.
Griff T.

Griff T.

Sep, 2023

Amazing! Erin was fantastic to work with from start to finish. It's hard to pick an editor—like finding an agent, it can be overwhelming and confusing when you begin the process of looking for a developmental nudge. From the initial offer to the edits, and with an excellent explanation of the traditional publishing process (my goal) and query letter review, Erin was focused, professional, and k...
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Kaila A.

Kaila A.

Sep, 2023

Working with Erin has been a great experience! She is very well informed and detail oriented. She also provided many helpful resources and helped to spark a ton of inspiration that was key to the development of my novel.
Michael G.

Michael G.

Sep, 2023

Erin is a real professional who brings great experience, insight, and sensitivity to her work. She goes well beyond the job description and focuses on solutions rather than just pointing out issues or problems and then leaving it them to the author to fix. She excels at assessing and improving character arcs, and how they fit into and drive the overall story arc. She is also extremely insightfu...
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