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.
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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
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
Languages
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
African American Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Art
Biographies & Memoirs
Children’s Non-Fiction
Work experience
Owner, editor and translator
Roussan Editeur Inc.
September, 1983
–
Present
(over 39 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 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.
Editor
C.D. Howe Institute
August, 1982
–
August, 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.
Editor
Optimum Publishing
May, 1980
–
June, 1983
(about 3 years)
As a senior editor, I edited and/or proofread non-fiction books that included tourist and parenting guides.
Book Reviewer
The Montreal Gazette
January, 1975
–
January, 1976
(about 1 year)
I wrote book reviews for The Montreal Gazette which publishes daily. My specialty was contemporary fiction.
Senior Editor
Tundra Books/Les livres Toundra
March, 1974
–
January, 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 (22 selected works)
Lumberjack
Kurelek, William
Quebec Je T'aime = Quebec I Love You
Tanobe, Miyuki
A Prairie Boy's Summer
Kurelek, William
Northern Nativity: Christmas Dreams of a Prairie Boy
Kurelek, William
Nobody called me mine: Black memories
Ward, Frederick
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-confidence, Necky the dinosaur is ready to take on whatever problems may come his way.
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 should be to have the companionship, friendship, and love of a good master. Blessed with The Gift of understanding human speech—a touch ... read more
I Forgot to Love Her
Collins, Kenesha
Long Hard Road to Eden
Ezegbunam, Leonard
The Purple Mouse
Drotts, Melonie, Perevalova, Anna
Adventures in Big Bend National Park
Stuart, Dana, Turu, Denise
If I Came from Mars Si J'etais Martien
De Roussan, Jacques
Fox Mykyta / Lys Mykyta (Ivan Franko's Ukrainian Classic)
Bohdan Melnyk, Ivan Franko, William Kurelek
Catlands =: Pays des chats
Vincent, Felix
A Feast Of Gingerbread from our Victorian Past, Patisserie Maison Montreal 1870 - 1900
Hatton, Warwick & Beth
Canadian Songbirds and Their Ways
Rising, Trudy
Helen Gougeon's Original Canadian Cookbook
Gougeon, Helen, Italiano, Carlo
Grandma Salt
Soubhie, Nadia
Hiba And The Treasure Jar (Grandma Salt)
Soubhie, Nadia
JANE has 49 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Jane was a delight to work with. Professional and knowledgable, her comments and edits have made my book more readable. She pointed out some areas that could use some improvement and I am grateful for that. I am satisfied with her contributions and would use her again.
Sophia Cook, January 2023
The expertise was very helpful. Timely and professional! Thank you.
Arlene de Silva, December 2022
At tis point I have not had the opportunity to read through all of Jane's edits because I'm in the middle of a book launch. so I cannot comment fully on the quality or professionalism of her work until I have the time to go through all of her comments and edits line by line. Our collaboration was delayed by several months due to her illness. That said, I was pleased with the overall comments sh...
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Beth Gibbs, December 2022
This is the second time I've worked with Jane, I am impressed with her professionalism and promptness.
Julia Hoffman, November 2022
Jane is a wonderfully gifted editor. I know this because she is most likely wincing at the adverbs used in these first two sentences ;) . But Jane deserves all my favorite ly words because she is a marvelously , supremely, stupendously gifted editor with a keen insight and wealth of knowledge. I can think of no one better suited to entrust your stories to, and I hope to collaborate with her on...
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Alexandra Leach, October 2022
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