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 8 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.
Bertie S.

Bertie S.

Apr, 2025

Beyond brilliant! How do I put into words how wonderful this experience was? I need Lil for that! Lil took the manuscript and refined it, tweaked it, poked it, and turned it into something magical (scientifically magical of course if you go by the theme of the book). It was my first time working ...
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Lil C.
Thanks so much, Bertie! Your idea was fab, and your writing super fun in the first place, I'm glad I was able to add some polish onto something already sparkling. It's been a pleasure working with...
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T.R. E.

T.R. E.

Mar, 2025

Lil is absolutely amazing to collaborate with. I loved the discussion after the project was completed because it generated new ideas and a positive direction for my book, and now, a series of books. I highly recommend Lil, especially for children's books, which she helped me with.
Lil C.
Thanks so much! I loved working with you too. We had a great discussion, didn't we?! I'm so excited to see what happens next.
Michael D.

Michael D.

Feb, 2025

Lil was spectacular. She is kind and brilliant and her notes were incredibly helpful. She pinpointed plot and character issues that I was struggling with, along some that I hadn't even considered. And she didn't just criticize. Her suggestions were smart and creative and I can I only hope I do th...
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Lil C.
Thank you so much, Michael! I thoroughly enjoyed working with you. Wishing you best of luck with the next draft!
Andrew H.

Andrew H.

Feb, 2025

Lil provided me with a comprehensive report on my book, as well as a detailed edit of the manuscript. I have found her comments extremely helpful, steering me in the right direction with my writing. She has been very professional and pleasant to work with. I definitely highly recommend her ser...
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Lil C.
Thanks Andrew! I've really enjoyed working with you too. Lil

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