Overview
I'm a freelance children's book author and editor with close to 30 years of experience in the children's publishing industry. I've worked on a New York Times best-seller, a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, and others. My specialty is picture books, though I've edited middle grade and YA. I'm passionate about diversity and equity in children's books, and am selective about which projects I will edit. Now as co-author of books in the Fighting for Justice series, I've learned more about marketing and building a platform for social justice books. I work with many people who choose self-publishing as a way to get their books out into the world.
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- For Fred Korematsu Speaks Up (author), Carter G. Woodson Award from the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS), a Jane Addams Peace Award Honor Award, the New-York Historical Society Children’s Book Award, the Social Justice Literature Award from the International Reading Association (ILA)
- I See the Rhythm, Children’s Book Press, 1998, Assistant Editor Corretta Scott King Award for Illustration; Publishers Weekly Best Book of 1998; American Library Association Notable Book
- Sammy and the Dinosaurs, Orchard Books, 1999, Editor Children’s Book of the Month Club Selection; School Library Guild Selection; “Starred Review,” Publishers Weekly ; “Starred Review,” School Library Journal
- DeShawn Days, Lee & Low Books, 2001, Editor “Starred Review,” School Library Journal; “Choices,” Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC); 2003 Rhode Island Children’s Book Award, Masterlist; Children’s Literature, Choice List 2002
- Love to Langston, Lee & Low Books, 2002, Editor “Starred Review,” Kirkus Reviews; Best Books 2002, School Library Journal; Bank Street Bookstore’s Bestseller 2002; “100 Titles for Reading and Sharing,” The New York Public Library, 2002; NCTE Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts for 2003 (National Council for Teachers of English)
Certifications
- MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Vermont College of Fine Arts
- MA in Children's Literature, Roehampton University, London
Work experience
Self-employed
Offering a range of services, including children’s book editing for Parallax Press, Blood Orange Press, and City Lights Books on the New York Times best-selling Rad American Women A-Z; manuscript critiquing and editing for individuals and self-publishers; running creative writing workshops and writing groups. See full portfolio at
Self-employed
Co-founder and director of festival, including shaping programme, hiring speakers and PR, with authors/illustrators including David Almond, Michelle Magorian, Emily Gravett, and Polly Dunbar
PaperTigers
Researching and editing content for international website with a focus on children’s literature from and about the Pacific Rim and South Asia, including interviews with authors and researching new books
Roehampton University, London
Part-time, responsible for planning and running conferences, including the annual British IBBY (International Board on Books for Young Readers)/NCRCL conferences (2002–2008) and CLISS (Children’s Literature International Summer School; 2003, 2005 and 2007)
Lee & Low books
Responsible for acquiring and editing three to five multicultural picture books per year, including finding and editing manuscripts, selecting artists, and working with freelance designers on art direction
Orchard Books
Working with the Publisher on the acquisition and development of 12 to 18 books per year, especially imports; managing and evaluating submissions
Children's Book Press
Working with Publisher to acquire and develop three to five multicultural and bilingual picture books per year; finding and managing relationships with freelance designers
Portfolio
Laura has 1 review
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Guy B.
Feb, 2019
