Lil Chase

Lil Chase – Editor

Senior Editor at Hachette. Development and plotting specialist with over 15 years experience in the publishing industry

Overview

Senior Editor at Hachette Children's. I have spent my publishing career developing and editing stories.

Previously, I worked at Working Partners Limited for twelve years as a Senior Commissioning Editor. Working Partners is the multi-million-selling author you've never heard of: creators of Daisy Meadows (Rainbow Magic et al), Adam Blade (Beast Quest et al), Erin Hunter (Warriors et al), SJ King (Secret Explorers), Rex Stone (Dinosaur Club), Lucy Daniels ( Animal Ark), and many, many more. They produce everything from early reader chapter books, all the way up to adult fiction. Some of the series I helped create are in the process of being adapted for TV and film.

I created concepts, storylines, IP and brands from initial idea through the writing stage; editing the manuscripts once they were written, and finally the nitty-gritty of line editing and proof-reading.

I then moved on to work as an editor for a literary agent. I helped the agency's authors write commercially successful novels, and also created IP for the agency. I read the submissions inbox, so I know how to make your query letter stand out and grab an agent's attention.

I am also an author in my own right, with six books under my own name, and countless others under various pseudonyms.

I can be as collaborative as you'd like. My ideal way of working would be to read through your manuscript or storyline to offer you feedback, then meet again to hear your feedback on my feedback, and work out a next-steps plan from there. I want to help you make the story you want to make, but in the best, most sell-able way possible.

Though I have worked on fiction for all ages - from picture book all the way up to adult - my sweet spot would be middle grade humour, with oodles of heart.

Services
Fiction
Coming of Age Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy Picture Books Social & Family Issues
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Hachette Children's Group

Dec, 2024 — Present
• Creating Intellectual Property (IP) for Hachette. • Selecting authors to write manuscripts • Editing manuscripts, from Chapter books to Young Adult ideas.

Caroline Wakeman Literary Agency

Feb, 2021 — Present
• Creating Intellectual Property (IP) for CWLA. Selecting authors to write the manuscripts and editing those manuscripts • Editing the agency’s author’s manuscripts, from picture books to Young Adult ideas. • Honing concept ideas, shaping storylines, then editing the final manuscript so it’s ready to be sent out on submission to publishers • Reading the submissions inbox. Signing new author talent

Working Partners Ltd

Jan, 2009 — Present
• Worked on the multi-million-selling Daisy Meadows brand - Rainbow Magic, Magic Animal Friends and Unicorn Magic. Creating new series ideas and the plots for each book within the series. • Worked on the multi-million-selling My Sister, The Vampire series. Creating the plots for each book in the series. • Creating IP for children's books from 5+ to YA - see my Portfolio for examples. • Writing and editing storylines. • Editing manuscripts. • Line editing and proof reading.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Kiss Me in New York

Rider, Catherine

Developmental Editing
Sparky at Magic School

Nash, Ruby

Red Fox

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Tabby's First Quest (Kitten Kingdom #1) (1)

Bell, Mia

Scholastic Paperbacks

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Big Fright (Monstrous Maud)

Saddlewick, A. B.

Michael O'Mara

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
The Lonely Lion Cub (Zoe's Rescue Zoo #1)

Cobb, Amelia

Scholastic Paperbacks

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading

Lil has 12 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Haylie F.

Haylie F.

Aug, 2024

Pinned
Lil is a wonderful editor and knows her craft. She's thorough, has great insights, and is honest without being mean or unduly critical. Her pricing is fair, and I'd definitely hire her again. She's pleasant, and it's clear she really wants to help make manuscripts shine.
Kerry H.

Kerry H.

Aug, 2025

Once again, Lil's advice and guidance has added impetus and direction to my project.
Lil C.
Thanks so much Kerry. We make a good team. Lil
Shali P.

Shali P.

Jul, 2025

Working with Lil was great! Her deep understanding and thoughtful suggestions helped me to make my story better. She's Professional and insightful. She even agreed to hop on a call before we started working together and gave me feedback on a chapter after I made a revision to my story. Will defin...
Read more
Lil C.
Thanks so much, Shali. It was an absolute pleasure working with you.
Kerry H.

Kerry H.

Jun, 2025

This is interim poistive feedback because Lil and I will be working together for some time to come. So far, Lil's advice and guidance has been superb and I look forward to our continued professional relationship on this platform.
Lil C.
Thanks Kerry! I've really enjoyed working with you too, and I'm looking forward to more to come.
Megan W.

Megan W.

May, 2025

Lil was a huge help to me with my back cover blurb for my novel. She offers expertise, and it was wonderful to collaborate with her on a Google Meet call. I highly recommend her!
Lil C.
Aw, thanks Megan! It was a pleasure working with you. Best of luck with your book - it sounds brilliant!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Lil and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Lil

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

Robin Benjamin

Robin B.

A New York-based developmental editor, proofreader, and writing coach with over twenty years of experience in fiction for all ages!

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Christine Collins

Christine C.

Editor formerly at Disney•Hyperion with 5+ years of experience acquiring and editing children's and YA fiction.

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Jonathan Westmark

Jonathan W.

10+ years in children’s publishing. Former executive editor at Albert Whitman & Co.

Chicago, IL, USA

75% reply rate

View profile