Esther Reisberg

Esther Reisberg – Editor

Eagle-eyed proofreader and copy editor with over a decade of publishing experience. I make your stories error-free and a joy to read.

Overview

I've been an in-demand editor since my elementary school days, checking my classmates' papers and creative writing projects, and a bookworm since day one (probably!). So publishing was a natural fit for me!


I started my career at small, independent publishing companies. I even worked out of an author's home! I collaborated directly with authors, proofreading and copyediting adult fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. After a stint as a magazine editor, I returned to book publishing at the children's book publisher Phoenix International Publications, Inc. I then worked for over three years as an editor at Kidsbooks Publishing, copyediting and proofreading nonfiction readers, picture books, activity books, and more. I was lead editor on all reprints, ensuring that any errors from original print runs were corrected. And I was the coauthor and project editor for the bestselling nonfiction Biggest Book Series. I'm an expert in the Chicago Manual of Style, and I have experience writing in-house style guides as well. It was at Kidsbooks that I earned the nickname "Eagle Eye" for my ability to spot an error from miles away!


I currently proofread and copyedit for a number of major trade publishers, including Penguin Random House, ABRAMS, National Geographic Kids, Scholastic, Macmillan, and more, as well as for indie authors. I specialize in children's, middle grade, YA, and rom-com. I also edit, copyedit, and/or proofread graphic novels, women's fiction, cozy mystery, adult trade fiction, and self-help.


Now I would love to help you tell your story! Whether you need a keen pair of eyes to ensure your typeset manuscript is clean and error-free, or you want a thorough copyedit to make sure your manuscript's style, POV, and usage are consistent and clear, I want to work with you. I can help you make sure your finished publication is as polished as possible.


Even if your primary genre is different than mine, I have extensive experience proofreading and copyediting—as well as reading—a variety of genres, so please contact me with your proofreading and copyediting needs!


REVIEWS:


"I've worked with Esther on various children's book projects, all requiring great attention to detail and a light but sure hand at polishing text for accuracy, sense, and readability. A talented editor, Esther was a pleasure to work with in every single instance. She's quick to respond at all stages of writing and is always understanding and calm. I believe in her instincts, her keen eye and work ethic, and write this recommendation without hesitation."

—Gail Herman, December 2020


"The book project I worked on with Esther has been through several editions and thus, several editors, but I thank my lucky stars that she proofread the pages. Bringing all the styles up to date, catching bloopers, as well as getting granular with finding missing spaces (or too many spaces), Esther’s keen eye gives me the confidence to send this book to press in top form. She’s also super professional and a great communicator. I look forward to working with her again!"

—Nava Atlas, August 2021

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Historical Fiction Middle Grade Picture Books Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Young Adult
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Simon & Schuster

Feb, 2022 — Present

National Geographic Kids

Jan, 2022 — Present

Charlesbridge Publishing

Oct, 2021 — Present

ABRAMS

Sep, 2021 — Present

Scholastic

Aug, 2021 — Present

Macmillan Publishing

Aug, 2021 — Present

Mascot Books

Jul, 2021 — Present

Penguin Random House - Penguin Young Readers

Mar, 2021 — Present

Lemur Press

Jan, 2021 — Dec, 2021 (11 months)

I acquired out-of-print titles to bring back into publication, developed and maintained relationships with authors, attained title rights reversion, edited, and supported marketing efforts for a wide variety of genres.

Albert Whitman

Aug, 2020 — Present

- Proofread manuscripts and written content according to style guide to ensure error-free content and formatting

Kidsbooks

Nov, 2016 — Feb, 2020 (over 3 years)

- Sole editor under Editorial Director, providing editing, proofreading, and copyediting for all books, packaging, and marketing materials. In-house production team lead.
- Lead editor and co-author on best-selling Biggest Book nonfiction series
- Proofread and copyedited all books and packaging, from manuscript stage through layout and final advance, ensuring error-free final products
- Wrote catalog and cover copy
- Oversaw planning and production for all titles
- Lead project management and workflow for all reprint titles, Spanish titles, and select nonfiction and activity book series
- Researched comps and industry trends
- Managed copyright filing and maintained copyright records

Phoenix International Publications, Inc.

Aug, 2015 — Aug, 2016 (about 1 year)

- Acted as International Acquisitions Editor, handling highly confidential licensor accounts such as Disney and Dreamworks, managing workflow of submissions to licensors and ensuring all proofreading corrections were made
- Researched licensed properties and gathered licensor information; gathered art samples for upcoming projects
- Prepared Power Point slides for conferences and book fair presentations; participated in Acquisitions team meetings
- Updated publishing plans and created visual line plans
- Submitted book components online for licensor approval; assisted with projects in other departments
- Worked within production software to fact check format, ISBN, pricing, and related information for books
- Created copyright reference sheets and SRP history spreadsheets for book formats both domestic and international; created Acquisitions route checklist; created a spreadsheet listing illustrator credits for books
- Maintained Style Guide Server and editorial guidelines

The Little Things Publishing, LLC

May, 2012 — May, 2014 (about 2 years)

- Assisted primary editor and author in all editorial needs of manuscript process before book publication, including review of grammar, spelling, syntax, and mechanics of prose

Portfolio

Hummingbird

Lloyd, Natalie

Finding Her Edge

Iacopelli, Jennifer

Destination Unknown

Konigsberg, Bill

Right Where I Left You

Winters, Julian

Flirting with Fate

Cervantes, J. C.

Hester

Laurie Lico Albanese

A vivid reimagining of the woman who inspired Hester Prynne, the tragic heroine of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, and a journey into the enduring legacy of New England's witchcraft trials.Who is the real Hester Prynne?Isobel Gamble is a young seamst... read more
Chasing Jaguars (Wild Survival #3)

Márquez, Melissa Cristina

Esther has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Charlotte F.

Charlotte F.

Apr, 2023

As always: perfection!
Charlotte F.

Charlotte F.

Feb, 2023

As always: I couldn’t do it without her <3 so perfect!
Charlotte F.

Charlotte F.

Dec, 2022

PERFECT like always :)
Charlotte F.

Charlotte F.

Nov, 2022

As always the best of the best <3
Charlotte F.

Charlotte F.

Aug, 2022

Simply the best!

Sign up to read more reviews

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

Professionals similar to Esther

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

Beth Bazar

Beth B.

A copy editor with 30 years' experience working for Men's Health, Hearst, and more. As one editor said of me, "The stupid stuff stops HERE."

Orwigsburg, PA, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Hannah Dolan

Hannah D.

Creative, collaborative and experienced writer and editor. I worked for Penguin and DK, specialising in licensed and educational publishing.

London, England, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Jamie Real

Jamie R.

Professional editor with over 10 years of experience (Chronicle Books, Hachette) ready to ensure that your children's manuscript shines.

100% reply rate

View profile