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

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

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

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

Kathryn

Chicago, United States

Experienced developmental book editor specializing in parenting books as well as children's PB, MG and YA fiction.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Parenting & Families, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

Sourcebooks, Inc.
American Academy of Pediatrics
The Purcell Literary Agency
Entangled Publishing
Author Claudia Gray

Julia

Charleston, SC, United States

Line and copy editor, with content capabilities. I have the most experience in nonfiction, but my favorite edits are middle grade and YA.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, History, Humanities & Social Sciences, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

The History Press
Newgen KnowledgeWorks
Amnet

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

Erin

Los Angeles, United States

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

Genres: Women's Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy.

Work experience:

The Industry
tNY Press
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC
Self-employed

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

Gene

Houston, United States

Creative, experienced editor of novels, children's books, and poetry. Let's prepare your manuscript for publication together.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Poetry, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Uptown Stories
Simon & Schuster
Scholastic
HarperEntertainment
Daniel Weiss Associates/17th Street Productions
Denver Quarterly
San Jacinto College South

Rachel

New York, United States

Literary agent turned editor of fiction & select memoir where narratives and protagonists have distinct, identifiable voices.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, Humor & Comedy, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

Dystel & Goderich Literary Management
Self-employed

Laurie

New York, NY, United States

Editor of National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize finalists and bestselling authors at Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon and Schuster, Macmillan.

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Women's Fiction, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Children's, Romance, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

Self-employed
St. Martin’s Press a division of Macmillan, USA
Hyperion, a division of ABC/Disney
HarperCollins, a division of Newscorp
Dutton, a division of Penguin Group USA, Pearson
Simon & Schuster, a division of CBS
Hyperion, a division of the Walt Disney Comapny
Rizzoli Books

Lee

Sacramento, CA, USA

I am comics. I am thematic storytelling. I am writing and editing with intention. I am the process that helps creators achieve their goals.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Humor & Comedy, and Themes & Motifs.

Work experience:

Self-employed

Michelle

Orange, CA, USA

Specializing in nonfiction books for both children and adults, I am a friendly and easygoing editor excited to work with you!

Genres: Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Education & Reference, Parenting & Families, Writing & Publishing, Children’s Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Middle Grade, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

Ballard & Tighe, Publishers
Entrepreneur Press

Erin

Framingham, MA, USA

20+ years of experience guiding picture book, middle grade, and YA authors. I'm a professor, author, and your creative cheerleader.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Contemporary Fiction, Humor & Comedy, Cozy Mysteries, Mystery & Crime, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, Young Adult, and Coming of Age.

Work experience:

Montserrat College of Art
The Highlights Foundation
The Wrtiers' Loft

Dylan

New York, NY, USA

Full-service freelance editor, specializing in genre fiction. Over 400 books edited, including many NYT and USA Today bestselling titles.

Genres: Thriller & Suspense, Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Non-Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Children's.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Button Publishing, Inc.

Susan

Philadelphia, PA, USA

I'm a highly experienced editor and writer specializing in books for children and teens.

Genres: Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Picture Books, Short Story, Young Adult, Women's Fiction, and Parenting & Families.

Work experience:

Self-employed
Little Fox, Inc
Editorial Services boutique
Bantam Doubleday Dell
Simon & Schuster
New American Library

Rennie

Baltimore, MD, USA

Passionate editor, collaborator, and award-winning author; 16 years experience in kids' books + non-fiction with publishers big and small

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Sports & Outdoors, Middle Grade, Children's, Fiction, Picture Books, Contemporary Fiction, and Young Adult.

Work experience: