JANE DE ROUSSAN

JANE DE ROUSSAN – Editor

Former publisher with 35 yrs of editing kid's books and literary fiction in CA, UK, EU and US. I'd love to help you craft your next book!

Overview

As a former children's book publisher and acquisition editor, I helped develop, and edit stories by Canadian and American authors. The stories we published ranged from picture books, middle readers, to Young Adult. YA authors were and are especially interesting to work with because they give me a glimpse into the sensibilities of a generation about to come of age.

With 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, grammar, and spelling need correction. More importantly, I respect the cultural nuances that endow the writing with a distinct flavor. I consider myself an international editor, having lived in Europe, Canada and the US. Madison, WI, is presently my home. I am an alumna of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

I edit fiction for all ages with a specialty in African American literary fiction. I am an avid reader of world literature and earned degrees in English Literature and Sociology. Being a dual citizen of Canada and the US gives me a special edge. Authors have told me I am easy to work with, patient and possess a "keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the nuances that make children’s literature captivating." 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
Non-Fiction
Art Biographies & Memoirs Children’s Non-Fiction
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Reedsy

Jun, 2020 — Present
I edit and help develop children's books, from toddler to young adult. I also specialize in editing ESL fiction and African American contemporary fiction.

Roussan Editeur Inc.

Sep, 1983 — Jun, 2005 (over 21 years)
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 1998 that emphasized and published first-time children's book authors. It was a success. 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 Canadian newspapers.

C.D. Howe Institute

Aug, 1982 — Aug, 1983 (about 1 year)
C.D Howe is a 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 collaborated with authors on non-fiction books, including tourist and parenting guides.

The Montreal Gazette

Jan, 1978 — Jan, 1980 (almost 2 years)
I wrote book reviews for the weekend edition of The Montreal Gazette. My specialty was contemporary fiction.

Tundra Books/Les livres Toundra

Jun, 1976 — Jan, 1980 (over 3 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 and artists on many Tundra books, including adult non-fiction, during my tenure there.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Aisha: In The Prophet's Heart

Barkatulla, Fatima

Learning Roots Ltd

Copy Editing
Unguardable (The Unguardable series)

Reece, Prince

Skyhouse Press LLC

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
MY MOTHERS DAUGHTER

JONES, RAEVEN

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Unanimous Decision

Williams, Gayle B.

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
West Oaks

Dutch, Johnny

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Wash Day: A Care and Style Guide for Little Curls

Mayers, Monique

Monique Mayers

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Aria & Liam - The Baker Street Mystery

Monsarrat, Coline

Apicem Publishing

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Jed, the Boy, the Snake and the Window

Partee, Andrea

Xlibris

Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Long Hard Road to Eden

Ezegbunam, Leonard

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Grateful Elf

Mooney, Anne

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Little Bush Girl: A True Story From Wild

Philtjens, Charlotte

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Northern Lights

Williams, Ruben, Isiah

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Adventures in Big Bend National Park

Stuart, Dana

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Purple Mouse

Drotts, Melonie

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
A Prairie Boy's Summer

Kurelek, William

Copy Editing
Lumberjack

Kurelek, William

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Children of the Yukon

Harrison, Ted

Tundra Books

Made with Reedsy
The Great Grandmother Knits

Gaga

Copy Editing
Nobody called me mine: Black memories

Ward, Frederick

Tundra Books

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
CONTEMPLATION: Mystery in Stillness

BRABAENDER, SUSANNA

Digital Melons

Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
I Forgot to Love Her

Collins, Kenesha

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Golden Boy

Leach, Alex

Alex Gale Leach

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Hidden Treasure Map: Your Turn To Choose What Happens Next

Magana, Kristen

Kristen Magana

Developmental Editing
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
Made with Reedsy
Grandma Salt

Soubhie, Nadia

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Hiba And The Treasure Jar (Grandma Salt)

Soubhie, Nadia

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
Blazes & Brimstone

Gruenberg, Linda

Kenda Press

Made with Reedsy
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 p... read more
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing

JANE has 102 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Olivia D.

Olivia D.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
Couldn’t have dreamed of a better proofreader/ editor. Her remarks are very valuable, Jane did an amazing job as she did for my previous book.
Olivia D.

Olivia D.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Jane was absolutely amazing. She exceeded my expectations. Extremely professional, excellent communication. I am French and punctuation is not my forte, Jane patiently corrected every single little coma and rephrased many sentences. I highly recommend working with her.
Irit B.

Irit B.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
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...
Read more
JANE D.
Thank you, Irit. I look forward to your next story!
alicia B.

alicia B.

Dec, 2025

I absolutely loved working with Jane. She gave such great feedback, was patient with me, and delivered before deadline! It was such a great experience.
Viviane C.

Viviane C.

Nov, 2025

I thoroughly enjoyed working with Jane. Her guidance and recommendations were spot on and she guided me to rewrite an ending to my story that was way more interesting than its original. She was also extremely patient regarding the issues I had with my outdated technology. I told Jane that I’m wo...
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