17+ Best children's developmental editors for hire in the United States

Maya

Charlotte, NC, United States

From the big picture to the tiniest detail, here to help you polish your craft. I work with publishers and individual authors.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Thriller & Suspense, Dystopian, Science Fiction, and Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits.

Work experience:

Self-Employed

Nevin

Portland, OR, United States

My goal is to guide writers to their best work, to coach them in eloquence and clarity, to lead them to their best stories and storytelling.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Scholastic
Penguin Random House
Government Technology magazine
Self-employed
Green Bean Books
Portland State University

Sean

Denton, TX, United States

Editor of bestselling, award-winning middle grade, YA, and adult books, specializing in fantasy and sci-fi. Let's make your book stand out!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Romantic Fantasy, and Romance.

Work experience:

Andrea Hurst and Associates, LLC
Andrea Hurst and Associates
Self-employed
Relay Publishing, LLC
The Editorial Department

Estelle

New York, United States

Agent/Senior Content Development Editor at one of New York's top agencies, specializing in YA, MG, picture books, and women's literature.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Middle Grade Fantasy, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction, Magical Realism, Literary Fiction, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

Folio Literary Management
Self-employed

Rachel

New York, NY, United States

Editor experienced in creative development, visual storytelling, and licensed publishing. I solve problems.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Action & Adventure, Anthologies, Comics Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Entertainment, Middle Grade, Children's, Mystery & Crime, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

DC Entertainment
Self-employed
Little Bee Books

Jim

Perry Hall, MD, United States

Crafting a work of fiction is a gloriously arduous process. With over twenty years of experience at one of the big NYC houses, I can help.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Middle Grade Fantasy, Coming of Age, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Young Adult, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

Random House

Rebecca

New York, NY, United States

With 10+ years of experience working at NYC publishers, I've edited 100s of books across genres. Thorough, candid, and easy to work with!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Young Adult, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Education & Reference, and Women's Fiction.

Work experience:

Disney Publishing Worldwide
McGraw-Hill Education
Penguin Random House
Self-employed
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Education

Georgette

Carmel, IN, United States

I'm a freelance editor and proofreader who's committed to helping authors produce the best work possible for their audiences.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Middle Grade, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Education & Reference, and Children’s Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Scholastic Reading Counts!

Eliza

Maplewood, NJ, United States

I'm a detail-oriented editor, specializing in children's nonfiction, with 10 years of experience at publishing houses and literary agencies

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Education & Reference.

Work experience:

Diversion Books
Self-employed
Leigh Feldman Literary
The Bent Agency
Callisto Media
Rebel Girls

Laura

New York, NY, United States

Expert developmental and line editor, ghostwriter, and consultant collaborates on all aspects of nonfiction and fiction for adults and kids.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Poetry, Inspirational, Women's Fiction, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

Jill Grinberg Literary Management
Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
Pocket Books
Simon & Schuster
Penguin USA
Theater Communications Group

Madeline

Austin, TX, USA

I have been editing books for kids and teens for over 15 years. I'd love to look at yours next. Tell me all about your book!

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade Fantasy, Picture Books, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

CBAY Books
St. Edward's University
Blooming Tree Press
Self-employed

Anna

New York, NY, USA

Children's book editor and author with 10 years' experience at Random House Children's Books and Scholastic. Editor of a #1 NYT bestseller.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, and Fiction.

Work experience:

Scholastic
Random House Children's Books
Freelance Consulting

James

Fort Collins, CO, USA

Developmental editor/writing coach specializing in genre fiction; trad. and self-published author; enjoys collaborating with new writers.

Genres: Comics & Graphic Novels, Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Middle Grade, Children's, Epic Fantasy, and Fantasy.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Jeppesen/Boeing

Michael

New York, NY, USA

Creative and dynamic children's book editor with 15 years experience at companies such as Scholastic Books and Random House Children's Books

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Humor & Comedy, and LGBTQ Fiction.

Work experience:

Random House Children's Books
Scholastic Books
Self-Employed

Glenys

Dearborn, MI, USA

An award-winning children's author and freelance editor, ready to help YOU make your children's book the very best it can be.

Genres: Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, and Christian Fiction.

Work experience:

United Methodist Church
Self-employed

Ann Howard

Knoxville, TN, USA

Traditional-publication-focused editor with 17 yrs of experience specializing in fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and historical fiction.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Dystopian, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Psychological Thriller, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience: