JANE DE ROUSSAN

JANE DE ROUSSAN – Editor

I have 32 years of editing and publishing children's books in Montreal. As a retired publisher, I would love to help craft your next book.

Overview

**As a former children's book publisher I chose, helped develop, and edited stories by Canadian and American authors. The stories we published ranged from pre-k to Young Adult. YA authors were especially fun to work with, perhaps because they gave me a glimpse into the sensibilities of a generation about to come of age.

I have a lengthy experience editing ESL texts. I am sensitive to the specific challenges a writer may have when writing in English as their second language. Sometimes syntax, sometimes vocabulary, or grammar might need a slight correction. More importantly, I am attuned to cultural nuances and always maintain that important 'je ne sais quoi' quality that endows the writing with a distinct flavor. I consider myself an international editor, having resided in cities like Paris, Aix-en-Provence, Berlin, and Montreal. I also lived in Madison, WI and studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I am comfortable editing fiction for all ages. I have always been an avid reader of world literature and earned degrees in English Literature and Sociology. I am a dual citizen of Canada and the United States where I was born. Authors have told me I am easy to work with, calm, and accessible. I am a discerning reader, so I expect writers to push beyond their boundaries. I cannot wait to work with you!



“I found Jane to be an insightful and sensitive editor in dealing with my non-fiction work. As I’m a neophyte in fiction, I especially appreciate the fact that she catches issues in characterization, in story structure, in continuity, and in emotional content.”
Richard Boileau, Montreal Author

'I have really been blessed to have you as an editor, Jane. I have recommended you and Reedsy to a group of children’s book authors I zoom with regularly. You are DYNAMITE!"
Mary Jane Overall, Arizona Author


Services
Fiction
African American Fiction Contemporary Fiction Middle Grade Picture Books Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Art Biographies & Memoirs Children’s Non-Fiction
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Roussan Editeur Inc.

Sep, 1983 — Present

Together with my late husband Jacques de Roussan—author, art critic, and historian—we founded a publishing company. In the first few years, we concentrated on art albums featuring Quebec artists. I formed a children’s book division in 2005 that emphasized and published first-time children's book authors. The excellent storylines and quality of production were recognized by the wider publishing industry and the Arts Council of Canada in the form of annual grants. Our books often received excellent reviews in Quill and Quire, Globe and Mail, and other major newspapers.

C.D. Howe Institute

Aug, 1982 — Aug, 1983 (about 1 year)

C.D Howe is a highly regarded think tank based in Toronto for which I edited policy papers and books targeted at Canadian and provincial government leaders and political influencers.

Optimum Publishing

May, 1980 — Jun, 1983 (about 3 years)

As a senior editor, I edited and/or proofread non-fiction books that included tourist and parenting guides.

The Montreal Gazette

Jan, 1975 — Jan, 1976 (about 1 year)

I wrote book reviews for The Montreal Gazette which publishes daily. My specialty was contemporary fiction.

Tundra Books/Les livres Toundra

Mar, 1974 — Jan, 1980 (almost 6 years)

Tundra Books is the oldest publisher of children's books in Canada. It is currently the children's book imprint of Penguin Random House of Toronto. Tundra cultivated a long list of Quebec and Canadian painters who created unique stories for pre-schoolers through the middle grades accompanied by their art. I edited and worked with designers on many Tundra books, including adult non-fiction, during my tenure there.

Portfolio

The Grateful Elf

Mooney, Anne

Blazes & Brimstone

Gruenberg, Linda

Northern Lights

Williams, Ruben, Isiah

The Purple Mouse

Drotts, Melonie

Long Hard Road to Eden

Ezegbunam, Leonard

I Forgot to Love Her

Collins, Kenesha

In the World of the imaginary Eastern Block Morania, in the old communist regime years, Ingo—the whimsical protagonist—brings to light with innocence, charm, and humor the socio-political reality and inevitable conflicts. His mother told him, his goal in life ... read more
Necky the Fix-it Kid

Frances Vellutini

What happens when an imaginative, confident young dinosaur is faced with a messy room? To the delight of his parents, he remembers his own skills and uses his knack for innovation to put his problem solving to the test. With a clean room, and strong self-confi... read more
A Prairie Boy's Summer

Kurelek, William

Lumberjack

Kurelek, William

Grandma Salt

Soubhie, Nadia

JANE has 58 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Monique M.

Monique M.

Sep, 2023

Jane was a joy to work with. Her edits helped to transform my book into something really special. I feel really good about what we created and I don't think it would be as fun to read without our collaborating. I'm very grateful I found her and I can't wait to work together again.
Irit B.

Irit B.

Sep, 2023

This is my third collaboration with Jane, I’m very grateful for Jane’s insights and suggestions and have enjoyed the process very much. I trust her deep knowledge and appreciate her professionalism. Everything went very smooth from a vulnerable start to a satisfactory finish. I would love to work with Jane again in the future. Thank you!
JANE D.
Thank you, Irit. I look forward to your next story!
Moise C.

Moise C.

May, 2023

This has been my first experience with a professional editor and I didn't know what to expect. I have four short stories that I needed edited for a collection that I am putting together (roughly 38,000 wordcount). I was impressed that Jane's method was very systematic, organized, and very easy to follow. Since my grammar is not the best and I'm not the most experienced, it was also good that...
Read more
William B.

William B.

May, 2023

Jane has been a joy to work with. Her expert help insured that my story ended up as the best possible version it could be. Thanks again, really appreciated it
Payal R.

Payal R.

May, 2023

Jane has been amazing in helping me finalize my manuscript. She asked great questions and worked with me to bring my story to the next level!
JANE D.
Thank you, Payal. It was a joy to collaborate with you!

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