Jenny Bowman - Editor
12+ years experience editing children's books in all genres with a keen eye, a knack for story telling, and a love of adventure
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Overview
I am a professional full time independent children's book editor and creative writer with extensive training from Hollins University at the graduate level in Creative Writing for Children. I specialize in editing Children’s Books although my experience and skills extend beyond the genre. My time at Hollins and years in the industry have taught me how to craft language in creative ways in order to produce well rounded, thorough and engaging content. I love concept based writing and I thrive on deadlines. In addition to editing and writing, I also thoroughly enjoy training and teaching others how to identify the key processes needed in order to produce their own creative works.
My goal with each project is to help my clients and authors reach their dreams of publishing their book. I have edited over 100 books for children to young adults, and have worked on titles found on the New York Times best selling children's book list and series list. I am well versed in all genres of children’s literature, but additionally enjoy editing self-help and any books that have to do with seed to table living and eating. When it comes to children's books, I particularly enjoy reading and editing chapter books and middle grade novels plus stories that employ fantasy elements, humor, or tales that represent my home state of North Carolina.
I look forward to reading your story!
Testimonials
Jenny is a fantastic editor! She gave my books the structural edits they needed, which helped lead to my first publishing deal. On top of her great service, she is a joy to work with. She is a wonderful communicator, be it through email or Skype. Highly recommended!
– Tim Harris – Author Exploding Endings Series – Penguin Random House Australia
Jenny is an excellent editor. She’s been a critical part of my success as a #1 New York Times Best Selling author. She worked closely with me on my middle grade novel Serafina and the Black Cloak, and the additional two books in the Serafina Series published by Disney-Hyperion. When I started working on my fourth book, Willa of the Wood, I drew upon her expertise and feedback once again. She provides highly detailed feedback, which I use to revise and improve my manuscripts. I find her suggestions to be insightful and very useful. Jenny is one of my go-to editors for improving and refining my work. I highly recommend her.
– Robert Beatty – Author Serafina and the Black Cloak – Disney-Hyperion
Jenny was very efficient, professional, and helped the flow and language of our children’s book.
– Casey Kemp – Shambhala Publications
Jenny provides high quality editing services and is a pleasure to work with. She has a clear understanding of what is needed to bring a project full circle and works with the author to deliver work timely, professionally and in line with author expectations. I have used Jenny for two books thus far and plan to use her again!
– Mary Ann Drummond – Author Grandma and Me – Morgan James Publishing
My goal with each project is to help my clients and authors reach their dreams of publishing their book. I have edited over 100 books for children to young adults, and have worked on titles found on the New York Times best selling children's book list and series list. I am well versed in all genres of children’s literature, but additionally enjoy editing self-help and any books that have to do with seed to table living and eating. When it comes to children's books, I particularly enjoy reading and editing chapter books and middle grade novels plus stories that employ fantasy elements, humor, or tales that represent my home state of North Carolina.
I look forward to reading your story!
Testimonials
Jenny is a fantastic editor! She gave my books the structural edits they needed, which helped lead to my first publishing deal. On top of her great service, she is a joy to work with. She is a wonderful communicator, be it through email or Skype. Highly recommended!
– Tim Harris – Author Exploding Endings Series – Penguin Random House Australia
Jenny is an excellent editor. She’s been a critical part of my success as a #1 New York Times Best Selling author. She worked closely with me on my middle grade novel Serafina and the Black Cloak, and the additional two books in the Serafina Series published by Disney-Hyperion. When I started working on my fourth book, Willa of the Wood, I drew upon her expertise and feedback once again. She provides highly detailed feedback, which I use to revise and improve my manuscripts. I find her suggestions to be insightful and very useful. Jenny is one of my go-to editors for improving and refining my work. I highly recommend her.
– Robert Beatty – Author Serafina and the Black Cloak – Disney-Hyperion
Jenny was very efficient, professional, and helped the flow and language of our children’s book.
– Casey Kemp – Shambhala Publications
Jenny provides high quality editing services and is a pleasure to work with. She has a clear understanding of what is needed to bring a project full circle and works with the author to deliver work timely, professionally and in line with author expectations. I have used Jenny for two books thus far and plan to use her again!
– Mary Ann Drummond – Author Grandma and Me – Morgan James Publishing
Languages
English (AUS)
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Middle Grade
Middle Grade Fantasy
Certifications
- Children's Literature Association
- Editorial Freelancers Association
- Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Work experience
Editor
Self-employed
January, 2012
–
Present
(about 11 years)
I am a full time editor with a primary focus on editing books for children.
Independent Content Writer, Creative Writer and Copy Editor
Self-employed
January, 2012
–
Present
(about 11 years)
Content writing, creative and article writing, copy editing for various in print and online publications.
Five Star Properties
Intercoastal Net Designs
North Bruswick Magazine
South Brunswick Magazine
Southport Magazine
St. James Plantation
Tiny Buddha
Value Colleges
Portfolio (25 selected works)
Serafina and the Black Cloak
Robert Beatty
This is the story a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate amidst the splendor of the Gilded Age and the rugged beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Serafina and her friend Braeden Vanderbilt must work together to solve a dark and dangerous mystery. This page-turning thriller from Disney-Hyperion is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and has appeared ... read more
Serafina and the Twisted Staff
Robert Beatty
Serafina's defeat of the Man in the Black Cloak has brought her out of the shadows and into the daylight realm of her home, Biltmore Estate. Every night she visits her mother in the forest, eager to learn the ways of the cat¬amount. But Serafina finds herself caught between her two worlds: she's too wild for Biltmore's beautifully dressed ladies and formal customs, and too human to fully join ... read more
Serafina and the Splintered Heart
Robert Beatty
In the highly-anticipated next installment of the Serafina series, Serafina must confront the darkest threat she's ever encountered at Biltmore Estate. She knows she can face anything with her best friend and closest ally, Braeden Vanderbilt, by her side. But when a sinister force tears them apart, Serafina scrambles to uncover the mystery of her most formidable challenge yet...and about herse... read more
Willa of the Wood
Robert Beatty
From Robert Beatty, the author of the award-winning Serafina books, comes a thrilling new #1 New York Times bestselling series for adults and young readers (8+). Set in 1900 in the Great Smoky Mountains, it's the story of an orphaned girl--gentle of heart, but brimming with the ancient forest powers of her people--who must struggle to survive in a changing world. Filled with the history, myste... read more
Willa of Dark Hollow (Willa of the Wood, 2)
Beatty, Robert
The Witches of Willow Cove
Josh Roberts
It's not easy being a teenage witch. Seventh grader Abby Shepherd is just getting the hang of it when weird stuff starts happening all around her hometown of Willow Cove. Green slime bubbling to life in science class. Giant snakes slithering around the middle school gym. Her best friend suddenly keeping secrets and telling lies.Things only begin to make sense when a stranger named Miss Winters... read more
What are the 79 wackiest excuses for being late to school? How do you stop a maniac dentist from terrorising children? Why is the new smartphone so ridiculously dumb? And what does it take to get every single student at Milford Junior School put on detention? Find out in this hilarious collection of short stories. One thing is guaranteed - you will NEVER pick the endings!
The third book in the best-selling Exploding Endings series by Tim Harris. Featuring: How do you protect yourself from a stalking mother? What are the 79 cheekiest excuses for not doing your homework? Why is your pencil case holding dangerous secrets? And what happens when you discover your teacher it not who you think they are? Find out in this hilarious collection of short stories. One thing... read more
Have you ever eaten pink spider web? What are the 79 zaniest things to bring to show and tell? Is it possible to earn three thousand dollars without anybody else finding out? And how do you stop random people texting you? Find out in this hilarious collection of short stories. One thing is guaranteed - you will NEVER pick the endings!
Big Sky (New Horizons Book 1)
Ally MacWilliams
Seventeen-year-old Austrian, Emily Hoffman, has been a shy, exemplary, does-nothing-wrong A-student all her life. The upcoming senior trip, a two-week exchange program with the high school in the quaint little town of Ennis, Montana, might be just what Emily needs to break out of her shell, find out who she really is and unearth the courage to pursue her dream of studying overseas at the Unive... read more
Winter Sky (New Horizons Book 2)
Ally MacWilliams
After months apart, seventeen-year-old Emily Hoffmann is thrilled to be reunited with Ben, her American crush, whom she met during her time in Ennis, Montana. Ben cannot believe his luck; when he and his classmates arrive in Feldbruck, Austria, for their study-abroad program, Emily’s family is hosting him. Two weeks together at last! Things could not be any better for the couple.After a few da... read more
Grandma and Me: A Kids Guide for Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Beatrice Tauber Prior Psy.D., Mary Ann Drummond RN
Stubborn Pines: A Novel of the Newest New South
Gabe Sealey-Morris
"A crazy, wonderful story of the American South like you've never quite seen it before. Piercingly funny and unexpectedly moving, STUBBORN PINES is filled with characters so much larger than life, you'll forget you might have bumped into them at the gas station."-Rebecca Coleman, author of THE KINGDOM OF CHILDHOOD and HEAVEN SHOULD FALLDwayne Massengill is stuck. He's a standup comic stuck on ... read more
Set in the faraway (and terrible-smelling) land of Rancidia, where it’s good to smell bad and bad to smell good, this uproarious send-up of Snow White follows the adventures of the profoundly stinky Hobgoblin as he flees the jealous wrath of a monstrous, democracy-hating ogre tyrant named Fiddlefart. Along the way, he joins forces with the Seven Stinkers―an outcast band of foul-smelling creatu... read more
What Do I Do With My Hugs?
Carol A Winner
A heartfelt story about communicating personal space needs for family members to heal...or just to be. When Lily does not get her usual warm hug from her Mimi, she is sad and confused. Mimi reveals the reason why, and they learn to show their love in new ways.
Mulrox and the Malcognitos
Smith, Kerelyn
The Tale Of Hodgepodge: A Lost Hippo, A Poetry-Spouting Parrot, And the Quest for the Wow
Moore, Geoffery Alan, Bousquet, Heather
Zombie, Or Not to Be (Hazy Fables (2))
Sullivan, Kyle, Sullivan, Derek
Frankie and the Gift of Fantasy (Tales by Moons-light)
Ballard, Ruthy
Tales by Moons-light: Stories from Before the Great Melt
Ballard, Ruthy
Alessia in Atlantis: The Forbidden Vial
Laine, Nathalie
THE ONE WE LEFT BEHIND
Coven, Sara
Captain Perfection & the Secret of Self-Compassion: A self-help book for the young perfectionist
Reeve, Julian, Green, Carol
Izzy's Impossible Adventure: One Mosquito's Quest To Save His Family, His Tribe, And The Galaxy
Moore, Geoffery Alan, Bousquet, Heather
Jenny has 29 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Jenny provided her edits in a timely manner in several different formats for accessibility. She communicated with me throughout the process and had great advice on the industry and the next steps of my project. I would highly recommend Jenny.
Stephanie Barca, February 2023
Jenny was very thorough in her written analysis of my middle grade manuscript. With her recommendations and suggestions, I will rewrite parts of my manuscript and make it a work worthy of publication. Thank you, Jenny! You make me a better writer.
Gary Gupton, December 2022
Jenny's feedback was exactly what I needed to get some clarity on my children's book story. Her recommendations helped me to rethink how to push it forward. She gave thorough feedback and identified specific areas I needed to focus on. Would highly recommend her, it's evident that she is an expertise in this field.
Frances S, November 2022
I've just begun working with Jenny and she has been extremely helpful. She provided a developmental edit for my manuscript along with an editorial assessment. From our initial email exchanges, I felt very comfortable with her approach and her professionalism. She offered a proposal and a schedule, which was flexible, and was responsive throughout the process. I think she has a lot of experi...
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Christine Gordon, November 2022
Working with Jenny was a pleasure from start to finish. Even though I have been writing for more than a decade, I just now decided to push forward with the editing process because of nervousness and lack of knowledge of the process. Upon researching, Jenny's resume and qualifications are impressive to say the least. After trading messages I decided on an editorial assessment and a developmental...
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Jonathan Jones, October 2022
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