Kat Kopit

Kat Kopit – Editor

Devoted editor/c.e./proofreader of graphic novels & children's books: Worked on 100+ titles, welcomes both the deeply serious & crazy weird.

Overview

Editing is about championing authors. It's about helping them achieve their vision, helping them see their work become the best it can be—and as close to that vision as possible. It's about queries and humble suggestions, thought-provoking discussion. What editing is NOT about is forcing one's aesthetic upon a project, or ignoring an author's intentions and taking a red pen to everything that makes the project unique.

And now some bullet points, to sum up my freelance work:

• Developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, proofreading, consultations• Middle-grade and YA fiction and nonfiction; picture books; graphic novels (children's and adult)• New York Times Bestseller: Acquired then continued editing freelance the Zita the Spacegirl graphic novel series; among other accolades, Book 1 received the Cybil Award and Book 2 hit the Bestseller list

And some sentences:
As a full-time editor and then freelancer, I have edited, copyedited, and/or proofread more than 100 graphic novels and children's books (YA, middle-grade, young readers, and picture books). After putting off a book idea for over a decade, I'm currently freelancing in order to complete it. In addition to children's books and comics, I work with website and marketing copy, book descriptions, and author bios.
My clients include indie authors, literary agents, and publishing houses such as Macmillan, Abrams, and Hachette's Yen Press and Little, Brown.

Services
Fiction
Comics & Graphic Novels Historical Fiction Humor & Comedy Middle Grade Picture Books Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Comics Non-Fiction Entertainment
Certifications
  • The Business of Book Publishing: An Introduction for the Non-Financial Manager (NYU)

Work experience

First Second Books (Macmillan)

May, 2014 — Present

• Freelance copy editor of graphic novels (children's and adult, fiction and nonfiction).

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Nov, 2013 — Present

• Freelance proofreader of middle-grade and young adult novels.
• Projects range from My Little Pony novelizations to Barry Lyga's I HUNT KILLERS young adult mystery/thriller series.

Abrams

Apr, 2013 — Present

• Freelance proofreader of middle-grade and young adult novels for Abrams Amulet and Abrams Books for Young Readers.
• Freelance copy editor of YA novels for Abrams Amulet.
• Freelance proofreader of Abrams children's catalogs.

Alloy Entertainment

Jan, 2013 — Present

• Freelance proofreader of young adult novels, including books in the bestselling Pretty Little Liars and The Lying Game series.

Abrams

Jan, 2012 — Dec, 2012 (11 months)

High-quality art and illustrated books

• Devised new book projects and met with potential authors; commissioned proposals.
• Acted as project manager on multiple titles and presented at pre-sales.
• Brainstormed ways to move outside traditional markets; successfully approached a popular retail chain about partnering on a book.
• Collaborated with Licensing and Brand Management: recognized trends and discerned which film, TV, and video game properties to pursue for books and calendars.
• Originated book proposals sent to NBC and Hasbro; obtained approval from the CEO and publication board to make a significant offer on the NBC TV tie-in; the Hasbro project was still in the works upon leaving Abrams to freelance, in Dec. 2012.

Maria B. Campbell Associates

Sep, 2009 — Dec, 2009 (3 months)

• Acted as sole children’s book scout for 11 foreign publishers, advising on the best American and international children’s titles to acquire for their specific markets.
• Identified children’s book trends and generated weekly “Highlights” reports for clients.
• Scouted for Warner Bros. Pictures, recommending titles suitable for film adaptation.
• Established a wide network of industry contacts, adding to connections already forged as an in-house editor.

Portfolio Solutions, LLC (agency)

May, 2009 — Feb, 2010 (9 months)

• Book doctored first-time author's young adult manuscript.
• Evaluated for agent the manuscript's quality and marketability.
• Provided one-on-one consult with author regarding audience, plot, and pacing.

First Second Books (Macmillan)

Jan, 2009 — Present

• Freelance editor of middle-grade graphic novels.
• Freelance proofreader of middle-grade, YA, and adult graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction).
• Freelance line editor of English translations, making dialogue and back matter sound more natural while maintaining author's tone.

Roaring Brook Press (Macmillan Children's Publishing)

Jan, 2008 — Jan, 2009 (about 1 year)

Picture books, novelty, young readers, middle-grade and young adult novels, children’s graphic novels

• Edited books from acquisition to publication: Negotiated contracts; composed editorial letters; worked closely with authors on revisions; communicated with agents/foreign agents/proprietors; determined formats and packaging based on audience and costs; commissioned illustrators and selected designers; supported marketing campaigns; advised creators on directions to take their work next.
• Collaborated with—and still keep in touch with many—acclaimed authors, illustrators, and comics creators.
• Staffed booth, promoted books, and made professional contacts at BEA, ALA Midwinter, and New York Comic-Con; co-hosted author dinners; accompanied authors to panels, signings, and school visits.
• Actively participated in budget, list, and strategic planning.
• Responsible for production schedules of approximately 30 books a year.

Roaring Brook Press and First Second Books

May, 2006 — Jan, 2008 (over 1 year)

Children’s and YA fiction and nonfiction; graphic novels, including adult

• Acquired two young adult novels and a middle-grade graphic novel series—all of them receiving starred reviews (including every installation thus far in the graphic novel series).
• Assisted Mark Siegel, Editorial Director of a graphic novel imprint that had no other editorial staff.
• Assisted Neal Porter, Editorial Director, Neal Porter Books, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press.
• Edited numerous titles from both lists, for a broad range of age groups and markets.
• Kept in touch with the more than 50 artists and writers with books in development.

Portfolio

Bera doesn't ask for much in life. She's a solitary, humble troll, tending her island pumpkin patch in cheerful isolation. She isn't looking for any trouble.But when trouble comes to find her, it comes in spades. A human baby has arrived in the realm of the tr... read more
The Chase (Last Man)

Bastien Vivès

Richard Aldana, the mysterious stranger who entered the Games in the first volume of Last Man, continues to defeat all of his competitors, despite his outlandish refusal to use any magic, and to rely solely on martial arts. With young Adrian fighting at his si... read more
The first volume of a new series dedicated to exploring iconic moments in World War II history, Omaha Beach on D-Day is a fresh and captivating new take on one of the most important moments in World War II: the Allied forces storming the beach at Normandy.The ... read more
Richard Aldana, the mysterious stranger who entered the Games in the first volume of Last Man, continues to defeat all of his competitors, despite his outlandish refusal to use any magic, and to rely solely on martial arts. With young Adrian fighting at his si... read more
Soon to be a series on Freeform, formerly ABC Family, starring Bella Thorne. "A must-read for anyone curious about life and love behind the scenes."--Bella Thorne, actor and author of Autumn Falls, on Famous in LoveLights, camera, love!After being plucked from... read more
Mighty Apollo is known by all as the god of the sun, but there's more to this Olympian than a bright smile and a shining chariot. In the latest volume of Olympians, New York Times bestselling author George O'Connor continues to turn his extensive knowledge of ... read more
"Forget about love and thirst only for blood"Acquiring a third Stigma took a heavy toll on Aki's body. To help him recuperate, Kana and the others plan a trip to a cozy hot-spring resort deep in the mist-shrouded mountains. Little do they know, this outing wil... read more
In 2010, Lucy and her long-term boyfriend John broke up. Three long, lonely years later, John returned to New York, walked into Lucy's apartment, and proposed. This is not that story. It is the story of what came after: The Wedding.DIY maven Lucy Knisley was f... read more
Book 12 is the epic finale to the New York Times bestselling How to Train Your Dragon series! The Doomsday of Yule has arrived, and the future of dragonkind lies in the hands of one boy with nothing to show, but everything to fight for. Hiccup's quest is clear... read more
Celebrate the tenth anniversary of Twilight with this special double-feature book! This new edition pairs the classic love story with Stephenie Meyer's bold and surprising reimagining of the complete novel with the characters' genders reversed. In Life and Dea... read more
Crazy teachers; best friends turning pretty overnight; "The Unbreakable Laws of Cafeteria Line Cutting".... Junior high is rough, and Jessica Darling needs help! Enter older sister Bethany and her "It List," meant to help Jessica uphold "The Darling Domination... read more
Paper Airplanes

Dawn O'Porter

Renée and Flo are the most unlikely of friends. Introspective and studious Flo and outspoken, wild, and sexually curious Renée have barely spoken in their years of going to school together in Guernsey, a small British island off the coast of France. And yet, w... read more
I did a mean thing. A very mean thing. I HATE that I did it. But I did. This is worse than carrot juice on a cupcake or a wasp on my pillow or a dress that’s too tight at the neck. In the third installment from the team who created Like Pickle Juice on a Cooki... read more
Steering Toward Normal

Rebecca Petruck

Eighth grade is set to be a good year for Diggy Lawson: He’s chosen a great calf to compete at the Minnesota State Fair, he’ll see a lot of July, the girl he secretly likes at 4-H, and he and his dad Pop have big plans for April Fool’s Day. But everything chan... read more
Constable & Toop

Gareth Jones

Something mysterious and terrible is happening throughout Victorian London: Ghosts are disap­pearing. When this reaches the attention of the Ghost Bureau, the diligent but clueless Mr. Lapsewood, a paranormal paper-pusher, is sent to investigate, and what he d... read more
Marina

Carlos Ruiz Zafon

"We all have a secret buried under lock and key in the attic of our soul. This is mine."When Fifteen-year-old Oscar Drai suddenly vanishes from his boarding school in Barcelona, no one knows his whereabouts for seven days and seven nights. His story begins whe... read more
Idols (Icons)

Margaret Stohl

The Icons came from the sky. They belong to an inhuman enemy. They ended our civilization, and they can kill us.Most of us. Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas are the four Icon Children, the only humans immune to the Icon's power to stop a human heart. Now that Los Ange... read more
Rose by Any Other Name

Maureen McCarthy

Don'tcha just hate the way you get caught up in stuff without really wanting to? Then it goes a bit further, and suddenly you're one of those jerks you hate because . . . you can't be trusted. ROSE WANTS NOTHING MORE THAN TO GET AWAY. Last year she'd had it al... read more
FIVE CLASSIC TALES ALL STARRING ONE PUT-UPON WOLF in an oversized gift-ready package Wolf, a rather fine dresser and intelligent creature, just can't catch a break. All he wants to do is eat some pig, lamb, a gosling or two, a loud sheperd…or that little girl ... read more
The Mourning Wars

Karen Steinmetz

Based on true events, THE MOURNING WARS is a gripping, powerful, and utterly memorable historical novel. In 1704, Mohawk Indians attacked the frontier village of Deerfield, Massachusetts, killing 50 and kidnapping 112 more, including John Williams, a Puritan m... read more
Vampire Loves

Joann Sfar

Meet Ferdinand, a vampire who bites his victims with only one tooth in order to pass as a mosquito, who loves the music of dead singers, and who has no end of trouble trying to make sense of his relationships--some with the living, some with the undead. Vampir... read more
Little Vampire

Joann Sfar

Living in a house filled with grown-up ghouls and monsters, Little Vampire is so lonely that he’s even willing to go to school if that’s what it takes to find friends. Unfortunately, school seems to be filled with children who are still alive. . . .Little Vamp... read more
Imhotep IV is an Egyptian mummy who's just opened his eyes for the first time in 3,000 years. Lillian Bowell is the daughter of a renowned Egyptologist. One day, when the Professor's away, the two go out for an afternoon on the town. The heap of trouble that t... read more
Nestled in the grass under the big palm tree by the edge of the desert there is an entire civilization--a civilization of beetles. In this bug's paradise, beetles write books, run restaurants, and even do scientific research. But not too much scientific resear... read more
Winterkill

Kate A. Boorman

Emmeline knows she’s not supposed to explore the woods outside her settlement. The enemy that wiped out half her people lurks there, attacking at night and keeping them isolated in an unfamiliar land with merciless winters. Living with the shame of her grandmo... read more
Court of Fives

Kate Elliott

A New York Times bestseller!In this imaginative escape into enthralling new lands, World Fantasy Award finalist Kate Elliott's first bestselling young adult novel weaves an epic story of a girl struggling to do what she loves in a society suffocated by rules o... read more
An ALA Odyssey Honor title. Named one of the Wall Street Journal's Best Children's Books of 2014. There's a murderer on the loose--but that doesn't stop the girls of St. Etheldreda's from attempting to hide the death of their headmistress in this rollicking fa... read more
Beyond the Door, the first in the Time Out of Time duet from Maureen Doyle McQuerry, weaves a compelling coming-of-age story with fantasy and mythology. With his love of learning and the game of Scrabble, Timothy James feels like the only person who understand... read more
This gem of a novel takes place in Pittsburgh in 1952. Franny Katzenback, while recovering from polio, reads and falls in love with the brand-new book Charlotte’s Web. Bored and lonely and yearning for a Charlotte of her own, Franny starts up a correspondence ... read more
West of the Moon

Margi Preus

In West of the Moon, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Margi Preus expertly weaves original fiction with myth and folktale to tell the story of Astri, a young Norwegian girl desperate to join her father in America. After being separated from ... read more
CHRISTO AND JEANNE-CLAUDE UNWRAPPEDIn 1981 two artists -- Christo and Jeanne-Claude -- proposed an installation in New York’s Central Park that would span twenty-three miles. They received a 185-page response from the Parks Department that could have been summ... read more
Saxby Smart is no ordinary ten-year-old. He's the best detective in the world, or at least the best one who also happens to be in elementary school. With the help of his Thinking Chair and his two best friends, Saxby proves that age makes no difference when it... read more
From Sara Shepard, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pretty Little Liars series, comes the nail-biting conclusion to The Lying Game. Sutton Mercer had the perfect life, great friends, and a gorgeous boyfriend—until she was murdered. Then the killer f... read more
Burned, the twelfth installment in Sara Shepard's YA Pretty Little Liars series, is packed with thrilling secrets and spicy scandals. This #1 New York Times bestselling series is also a hit ABC Family original TV show.High school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, an... read more
Is it impossible for old elementary-school friends and new junior-high friends to all get along as just, you know, friends? Good or bad, that's what I'm about to find out.Jessica Darling is finally getting the hang of seventh grade! Hosting an epic slumber par... read more
In comic-book-style panels, Polo's newest adventure unfolds. A flying cloud carrying a sleeping rabbit gets stuck in the branches of Polo's tree-home bringing an unexpected visit from a feisty, practical-joke-loving new friend. A light-hearted and sweet tale a... read more
Olivia Mead is a headstrong, independent girl—a suffragist—in an age that prefers its girls to be docile. It’s 1900 in Oregon, and Olivia’s father, concerned that she’s headed for trouble, convinces a stage mesmerist to try to hypnotize the rebellion out of he... read more
This is the story of the small town sheriff who captured one of the world's most ruthless and cunning murderers. A prequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller, I Hunt Killers.It all started with Dead Girl #1 and Dead Girl #2, the first killings in the s... read more
The final book in this thrilling, terrifying series by New York Times bestselling author Barry Lyga is perfect for fans of Dexter.Jazz Dent has been shot and left to die in New York City. His girlfriend Connie is in the clutches of Jazz's serial killer father,... read more
After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She’s determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles... read more
The Games are already underway when Richard Aldana arrives in town. This mysterious stranger seems to have more in common with our world than the world where the Games are held. He smokes cigarettes and wears a leather jacket while everyone else in this mediev... read more
ABC3D

Marion Bataille

"Easily the most innovative alpabet book of the year, if not the decade... Beyond clever."―The Washington PostPrepare to be amazed. From the lenticular cover that changes with the angle of your hands all the way to the Z, ABC3D is as much a work of art as it i... read more
Kaput and Zosky

Lewis Trondheim

Would-be world conquerors Kaput and Zosky are at the pinnacle of their careers. So why does victory always slip from their grasp? On one planet the natives surrender to Kaput and Zosky without a fight – where's the fun in that? On another, Kaput finds that he'... read more
"The war arrived in our village on the 18th of January. Obviously there were other wars going on, but they didn't have anything to do with us. There were wars for blacks. Wars for Arabs. Wars for Slavs. Our war started on the 18th of January, and in a few days... read more
When Giuliano's father loans him the family garage, he and three of his friends form a band. Playing their battered secondhand instruments, the four teenagers find something they love to do, and they find in their friendship and music a refuge from difficult a... read more
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERErnest Shackleton was one of the last great Antarctic explorers, and he led one of the most ambitious Antarctic expeditions ever undertaken. This is his story, and the story of the dozens of men who threw in their lot with him - many... read more
Laika

Nick Abadzis

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. From the dog's point of view, follows the adventures of the dog sent into space by the Soviet Union.
In 1994, French cartoonist Emmanuel Guibert befriended an American veteran named Alan Cope and began creating his new friend's graphic biography. Alan's War was the surprising and moving result: the story of Cope's experiences as an American GI in France durin... read more
"When I was eighteen, Uncle Sam told me he'd like me to put on a uniform and go off to fight a guy by the name of Adolf. So I did."When Alan Cope joined the army and went off to fight in World War II, he had no idea what he was getting into. This graphic memoi... read more
Sardine is back, and she's got a whole host of new problems to face even before the spaceship Huckleberry can get off the ground! In the fourth volume of this exciting series, Sardine must tackle, among other things, monsters under the bed, flesh-eating tattoo... read more
The youngest and spunkiest girl in outer space is back and ready to play!Supermuscleman and Doc Krok are at it again, and it's not just the galaxy they're out to ruin―it's Sardine and Little Louie too! Get ready for the ultimate match-up as wits battle brawn i... read more
Robot Dreams

Sara Varon

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the YearA PW Best Book of the Year An ALSC Notable Children’s BookA YALSA Great Graphic NovelThis moving, charming graphic novel about a dog and a robot shows us in poignant detail how powerful and fragile relationships are. After... read more
"A gold mine of essential information for every aspiring comics artist. Highly recommended." --Scott McCloud Drawing Words and Writing Pictures is a course on comic creation – for college classes or for independent study – that centers on storytelling and conc... read more
George O'Connor is a Greek mythology buff and a classic superhero comics fan, and he's out to remind us how much our pantheon of superheroes (Superman, Batman, the X-Men, etc) owes to mankind's ORIGINAL superheroes: the Greek pantheon. In OLYMPIANS, O'Connor d... read more
BEYOND THE LEGENDARY GAME THE LEGEND ITSELFLong ago in Persia, there lived a Prince -- a man of honor, of valor, and full of strength -- a man for his people, who lived with them and took on their trials and hardships. And he was loved.His name is no longer re... read more
The Night Gardener

Jonathan Auxier

A New York Times bestseller, The Night Gardener is a Victorian ghost story with shades of Washington Irving and Henry James. More than just a spooky tale, it’s also a moral fable about human greed and the power of storytelling.The Night Gardener follows two ab... read more
Laura Vaccaro Seeger's highly praised concept books have introduced children to colors, opposites, emotions, and the alphabet. Now she guides children on the first steps to reading with three sweet, funny stories about a stuffed bear and a frisky dachshund who... read more
WHICH CAME FIRST? The chicken or the egg? Simple die-cuts magically present transformation-- from seed to flower, tadpole to frog, caterpillar to butterfly.The acclaimed author of Black? White! Day? Night! and Lemons Are Not Red gives an entirely fresh and mem... read more
"Intriguing and captivating."―Celia Rees, author of Witch ChildWRONGED. HANGED. ALIVE? (AND TRUE!)Anne can't move a muscle, can't open her eyes, can't scream. She lies immobile in the darkness, unsure if she'd dead, terrified she's buried alive, haunted by her... read more
It's Bad Kitty's birthday, and you're invited! Bad Kitty's second illustrated novel is packed with deadpan humor, rich tidbits of cat information -- and even some suspense! Who took Kitty's presents? Why are Kitty's friends so bizzare? Readers will laugh out l... read more
BAD KITTY IS BACK (AND BADDER THAN EVER!) when she is forced to take a bath in this hysterical new illustrated how-to for young readers. The following are some items you will need for Kitty's bath: one bathtub, plenty of water, dry towels, a suit of armor, a l... read more
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERBen Hatke brings back our intrepid space heroine for another delightful sci-fi/fantasy adventure. Zita is determined to find her way home to earth, following the events of the first book. But things are never simple, and certainly ne... read more
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERZita's life took a cosmic left turn in the blink of an eye. When her best friend is abducted by an alien doomsday cult, Zita leaps to the rescue and finds herself a stranger on a strange planet. Humanoid chickens and neurotic robots ... read more

Professionals similar to Kat

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Courtney Stevenson

Courtney S.

I am an Associate Editor at HarperCollins Children's Books, with 10 years of experience of working with middle grade and young adult novels.

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Arabella Alexander

Arabella A.

I'm an editor specialising in fantasy, wellness, and progressive stories. I love helping authors publish stories close to their hearts.

London, UK

96% reply rate

View profile
Richard Bradburn

Richard B.

Professional editor with extensive experience across a wide range of fiction genres and memoir, specialising in developmental editing.

Cork, Ireland

100% reply rate

View profile