Kate Sederstrom

Kate Sederstrom – Editor

I'm a freelance editor of children's and young adult fiction with 7+ years of industry experience.

Overview

Whether you have a finished novel you're looking to tighten up for publication, or need a hand to guide you though writer's block, I've got your back. With my experience in the editorial, agenting, and publicity sides of the publishing industry — as well as my palpable passion for stories — I bring a keen sensitivity for how to shape your book to the best version of itself so you can pitch with confidence. My goal as your editor is to help bring your vision onto the page in a way that resonates with readers, and uplift your authorial voice in a way that feels true to you. Let's work together!
Services
Non-Fiction
Art Children’s Non-Fiction Entertainment
Fiction
Literary Fiction Middle Grade Picture Books Science Fiction Young Adult
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2018 — Present

• Provide both macro and micro editorial feedback
• Communicate with authors extensively to adequately execute they artistic vision

Bloomsbury Children's Books

Jan, 2018 — Jun, 2020 (over 2 years)

• Evaluate manuscripts and provide key editorial feedback for acquisition
• Manage publishing calendars and the schedule for the department
• Edit manuscripts from the developmental stage through copy editing
• Titles include: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas, Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas, The World of Throne of Glass, Something Rotten by Heather L. Montgomery, We Are Not Yet Equal by Carol Anderson and Tonya Bolden

Self-employed

Nov, 2017 — Present

• Operate personal freelancing business
• Provide one-on-one developmental edits, copyedits, editorial assessments, and publishing consultations to clients

Self-employed

Nov, 2017 — Nov, 2020 (about 3 years)

● Create and implement full publicity plan for debut independent author
● Pitch the book to media outlets and booksellers

Bright Group USA

Mar, 2017 — Jan, 2018 (10 months)

● Evaluated manuscripts and provide key editorial feedback on author/illustrated projects for submission
● Created and manage marketing strategies for the USA branch of Bright
● Liaised with children’s book illustrators and publishing houses to streamline project management
● Titles include: New York Times Bestselling Princesses Wear Pants by Savannah Guthrie and Gloria's Voice by Aura Lewis

Random House Publishing Group

Sep, 2015 — Mar, 2017 (over 1 year)

● Assisted in creating publicity materials such as press releases, mailings, press kits, and organized author tour travel
● Managed department calendars and the schedule for the Executive Vice President of Publicity
● Coordinated submissions of Random House titles to all major publishing awards
● Titles include: Night School by Lee Child, New Order by Fay Wolf, My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella, The Dream Life of Astronauts by Patrick Ryan

Quail Ridge Books and Music

May, 2015 — Sep, 2015 (4 months)

● Recommended books based on each customer’s preferences and my own product knowledge
● Processed customer orders, book reservations, returns, and exchanges
● Facilitated book events including author readings, signing sessions, and book clubs

Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill

May, 2015 — Sep, 2015 (4 months)

● Wrote appraisals of manuscripts and queries
● Maintained digital database for all submissions

Portfolio

Can't Take That Away

Salvatore, S.

The Loophole

Kutub, N.

This Poison Heart

Bayron, K.

Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass)

Sarah J.

Years in the making, Sarah J. Maas's #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series draws to an epic, unforgettable conclusion. Aelin Galathynius's journey from slave to king's assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom reaches its heart-rending final... read more
Dreamland (YA edition): The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic

Sam Q.

As an adult book, Sam Quinones's Dreamland took the world by storm, winning the NBCC Award for General Nonfiction and hitting at least a dozen Best Book of the Year lists. Now, adapted for the first time for a young adult audience, this compelling reporting ex... read more
The Gravity of Us

Phil S.

Teen boys find love when their parents' NASA mission uproots their lives in this sweet debut perfect for Adam Silvera fans. As a successful social media journalist with half a million followers, seventeen-year-old Cal is used to sharing his life online. But wh... read more
Sleeping Around: A Young Adult Coming of Age

Vega, M.

The Firebird Song

Flores, A.

The Other Side of Luck

Johnson, G.

The Cat I Never Named: A True Story of Love, War, and Survival

Sabic-El-Rayess, A.

Smug Seagull

Frost, M.

Violet Ghosts

Thomas, L.

The Great Space Race: A Space Western Novel

S. D.

The Great Space Race takes us on a rip roaring race adventure through the Milky Way, Andromeda, and Triangulum Galaxies. It's 1894 a time when the wild west had been mostly tamed. Thomas Wilson, son of an emancipated slave, a genius Doctor of Engineering and P... read more
Undercover Thief (The Victoria Institute)

H.T. K.

Fourteen-year-old Pamela Torres is an exceptional girl. After her parents abandoned her at the tender age of nine, she had to be to stay alive. But Pam has come a long way from stealing food from the supermarket and huddling beneath shop windows for shelter. N... read more
Leyla

Galia B.

Leyla is sick of her big, loud, overbearing family. They are always chatting, snuggling, and grooming each other (ew!), and—for Leyla—there’s no escape from their attention. So, she decides to run away until she can’t hear (or smell) her baboon troop anymore. ... read more
One Person, No Vote (YA edition): How Not All Voters Are Treated Equally

Carol A.

From the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of White Rage, the startling--and timely--history of voter suppression in America, with a foreword by Senator Dick Durbin.In her New York Times bestseller White Rage, Carol Anderson laid bare an insidio... read more
The Young Widower's Handbook: A Novel

Tom M.

“Funny, sad, and smart . . . Part wacky road novel, part romantic comedy, McAllister's debut flies along yet reaches deep.” —Stewart O'Nan, author of West of Sunset For Hunter Cady, meeting Kaitlyn is the greatest thing that has ever happened to him. Whereas h... read more
Night School: A Jack Reacher Novel

Lee C.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The incomparable hero of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back takes readers to school in his most explosive novel yet. After eleven straight global #1 bestsellers, discover the thrillers that The New York Times calls “utterly addictive.”D... read more
My Not So Perfect Life: A Novel

Sophie K.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Part love story, part workplace drama, this sharply observed novel is a witty critique of the false judgments we make in a social-media-obsessed world. New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella has written her most timely no... read more
What Goes Up

Katie K.

Rosa and Eddie are among hundreds of teens applying to NASA's mysterious Interworlds Agency. They're not exactly sure what the top-secret program entails, but they know they want in. Rosa has her brilliant parents' legacies to live up to, and Eddie has nowhere... read more
Throne of Glass (Collector's Edition)

Sarah J.

This must-have collectible edition of THRONE OF GLASS, the exciting first book in the New York Times bestselling series, features a deluxe package, brand new interior page designs, and more-perfect for Sarah J. Maas fans.This lush, one-of-a-kind edition of the... read more
Something Rotten: A Fresh Look at Roadkill

Heather L.

When Heather L. Montgomery sees a rattlesnake flattened on the side of the road, her first instinct is to pick it up and dissect it--she's always wanted to see how a snake's fangs retract when they close their mouths, and it's not exactly safe to poke around i... read more
New Order: A Decluttering Handbook for Creative Folks (and Everyone Else)

Fay W.

For readers of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and The Power of Habit comes a revelatory, witty guide to a clearer home and a more creative mind. Can a decluttered space fuel a creative mind? Heck yes, says organizing expert Fay Wolf, who has helped ever... read more
Radio Underground

Alison L.

With swift, bold and powerful writing, debut author Alison Littman tells the story of a family ripped apart by revolution, illuminating a time when news, rock ‘n’ roll and underground journalism forever changed the lives of those living behind the Iron Curtain... read more
The Dream Life of Astronauts: Stories

Patrick R.

For readers of Tom Perrotta and Lorrie Moore, these nine unforgettable stories, all set in and around Cape Canaveral, showcase Patrick Ryan’s masterly understanding of regret and hope, relationships and family, and the universal longing for love.NAMED ONE OF T... read more
Princesses Wear Pants

Savannah G.

An instant #1 New York Times Bestseller! From NBC’s TODAY coanchor Savannah Guthrie and educator Allison Oppenheim comes an empowering fairy tale with a twist. And now you can join Princess Penelope Pineapple in her next adventure Princesses Save the World, an... read more
Gloria's Voice: The Story of Gloria Steinem―Feminist, Activist, Leader (People Who Shaped Our World)

Aura L.

“A subtle ode to an iconic figure of quiet ‘strength and enormous influence.’” —Publishers WeeklyGloria Steinem started a movement that changed our world. This picture-book biography of the pioneering feminist brings the message of equality to a new generation... read more
A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses)

Sarah J.

Narrated by Feyre and Rhysand, this bridges the events in A Court of Wings and Ruin and the upcoming novels in the series. New in the #1 New York Times bestselling Court of Thorns and Roses series, A Court of Frost and Starlight is a glimpse into the lives of ... read more

Kate has 12 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Kenna K.

Kenna K.

Jan, 2023

Kate was amazing to work with! My writing and story benefited greatly from working with Kate. Detail orientated and knowledgeable about the craft, Kate helped me take my manuscript to a level that I could not achieve on my own. I 100% recommend working with Kate and cannot put into words how great of a job well done she did.
Kate S.
Thank you for the kind words, MaKenna! It's been a pleasure working with you. I can't wait to see what you'll do next!
Aish M.

Aish M.

Sep, 2022

Kate's edits have been informative and valuable. Her feedback and the editorial letter were exactly what I was looking for and have given me a good direction to continue improving my story and writing. Her work exceeds expectations, when I needed additional time to deal with a personal tragedy, she understood and didn't constrain the timelines of my revisions. Highly recommend her work!
Abierto R.

Abierto R.

Mar, 2022

Kate has simply been incredible to work with, I cannot praise her spirit, engagement and professionalism enough!
Kate S.
Thank you for the kind words, Abierto! It was such a pleasure working with you :)
Kim V.

Kim V.

Apr, 2021

Kate is amazing! She is extremely professional and exceptionally knowledgeable. She works really hard with you to make your manuscript top notch. She gives excellent notes, examples and line edits. She understands the industry and her suggestions are very thoughtful. I am very grateful to be her client.
Christin N.

Christin N.

Mar, 2021

Kate was very nice and patient with my many questions. She gave great feedback and ideas for story edits. Overall, I had a great experience with Kate and my story is better for it.