Hailie Johnson – Editor

I’m a former Editorial & Design Director at Rare Bird Books, where I acquired and developed 40+ titles a year across literary and contemporary fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction. I partner closely with authors to shape manuscripts through revision, offering both big-picture guidance and line-level editorial precision.

I specialize in developmental editing and editorial assessment, particularly for voice-driven work. I help authors clarify structure, strengthen narrative arcs, refine pacing, and align their manuscript with its intended audience—without compromising the author’s unique voice.

Clients value my clear, actionable feedback and collaborative approach. You’ll receive detailed editorial letters, strategic revision roadmaps, and targeted in-manuscript guidance that can be immediately applied. Whether refining a manuscript, revising a proposal, or preparing a book for submission, I bring both publishing strategy and meticulous editorial care to every project.

What Authors Say:

"Thanks to my brilliant editor, Hailie, whose inspired input and diplomatic candor was vital in making this book what I always hoped it could be." —Kristin Casey, Casey Dancer

"Hailie, thank you for your keen editorial eye and tireless dedication shaping this story into its best version." Daniel Breyer, Smokebirds

"A huge thank you to editor Hailie, who kept James's journey moving forward each time it wandered off course." —Linda Burrows, Flip City