Lisa Edwards

Lisa Edwards – Editor

Editor and publisher with 28 years' experience in children's publishing. Published The Hunger Games, His Dark Materials, Horrible Histories.

Overview

I am a freelance editor, writer, publisher and yoga teacher, having spent 28 years in the publishing industry, primarily in the children's books trade as a publishing director. As a freelance consultant for the last five years, I have advised major publishing houses and brands on publishing strategy, brand management, digital publishing and licensing.


I pride myself on having an honest and direct approach to authors' work as I find it has served me well over the 28 years I've been in the industry. I don't mislead authors or fluff any egos – I tell you straight. Don't choose me if you're not ready for that. Do choose me if you've had a string of beta readers, family and friends telling you your book is great, but you know in your heart it could be better.


You can expect my work to deliver a detailed opinion on the commercial and creative strengths of your work, clear and concise ideas on how to improve it, and sound editorial notes on how to carry your text through to a publishable/queryable state. I can also help you with self-publishing your work.


I believe in a collaborative approach to all my work – the relationship between editor and author should be symbiotic as we work together towards the end goal of achieving a great book.


During my career I have been lucky enough to publish: His Dark Materials; The Hunger Games; Horrible Histories; Stick Man (and other Julia Donaldson picture books); Jonny Duddle; Roddy Doyle; the Tom Gates' series; The Beano, Disney; Captain Underpants and Klutz. More recently I led the revitalisation of Templar Publishing for their its 40th anniversary, worked with Beano on their fiction strategy and with Little People, BIG DREAMS on their brand licensing strategy.


Across my 28-year career, myself and my teams have won or been shortlisted for over 25 prestigious awards including: the British Book Award for Publisher of the Year, the Carnegie and Greenaway Medals, the Waterstones Prize, the Costa Book Award, the Blue Peter Book Awards, the Stanford Travel Writing Awards, the Klaus Flugge Prize, the Royal Society Science Prize and the Roald Dahl Funny/Lollies Prize.



Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Coming of Age Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy New Adult Picture Books Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (UK)
Awards
  • Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award 2018 - Great Adventurers by Alastair Humphreys
  • British Book Awards Children's Publisher of the Year 2013 (Scholastic UK)
  • Blue Peter Book Award 2013 - Horrible Science House of Horrors by Nick Arnold; Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly) by Liz Pichon
  • Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2012: The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon
  • Costa Children's Book Award 2012: Blood Red Road by Moira Young
  • Bookseller Rising Star 2012
  • Royal Society Prize 2019: Planetarium by Raman Prinja and Chris Wormell
  • Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2023 – Saving Sorya by Jeet Zdung

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 2019 — Present

After spending 23 years in the UK trade publishing industry, for the past five years I've been a freelance writer, editor, agent and publisher, offering consultancy, copywriting, agency and editorial services to publishers, brands and authors.

I have worked at director level across both children’s and adult imprints, with experience in fiction, illustrated/narrative non-fiction and picture books. My publishing portfolio in the children's industry includes The Hunger Games, His Dark Materials, Mortal Engines, Horrible Histories, Horrible Science, Tom Gates series, Klutz, Captain Underpants, Disney, Beano and Julia Donaldson picture books and Little People, BIG DREAMS™.

Scholastic UK

Mar, 2010 — Apr, 2013 (about 3 years)

I was head of editorial, digital and licensing at Scholastic Children's Books UK, named Children's Publisher of the Year 2013 by The Bookseller. I was responsible for the entire list, comprising fiction, non fiction, picture books and novelty, including the imprints Alison Green Books and Marion Lloyd Books. I also initiated the digital and audio programme for SCB, and managed the licensing of key brands and properties.


Highlights of the publishing included The Hunger Games, Horrible Histories, His Dark Materials, Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler picture books such as Stick Man, Klutz, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates and Captain Underpants.

Templar Publishing

Nov, 2015 — Mar, 2019 (over 3 years)

I led a team of editors, designers and a paper engineer for the Templar Books and Big Picture Press imprints, producing around 80 titles per year in picture books, non fiction, classics, fiction, pre-school and gift.

Highlights of our Templar publishing included the groundbreaking Ology series, Gigantosaurus by Jonny Duddle, Black Dog by Levi Pinfold and Father by Graham Baker-Smith. Big Picture Press highlights included the addition of Dinosaurium, Planetarium and Anatomicum to the bestselling Welcome to the Museum series and a Kew Gardens partnership for Fungarium.

Carlton Books

Apr, 2013 — Mar, 2015 (almost 2 years)

I headed up editorial for all the Carlton adult imprints: Carlton Books, Goodman, Goodman Fiell, Andre Deutsch and Prion.

My portfolio included official FIFA World Cup and Tour De France publishing in 2014, along with a four-year Imperial War Museum military-history programme to coincide with the centenary of World War One. Brand partnerships included MENSA, Liberty of London, the ABBA museum, the Design Museum and Rugby World Cup.

Scholastic UK

Jun, 2005 — Mar, 2010 (over 4 years)

I managed a team that commissioned a list of approximately 150 non fiction and media titles per year, including the bestselling Horrible Histories series. I directed the licensing of Horrible Histories following its 2003 tenth anniversary, including (ongoing) live stage shows, five BAFTA-winning BBC TV series', two major Imperial War Museum exhibitions and an extensive merchandise programme including toys, gift products and a monthly magazine.

I also worked closely with New Line Cinema and Scholastic companies worldwide to create and implement The Golden Compass movie tie-in programme, based on Philip Pullman's bestselling novel, Northern Lights.

Scholastic UK

Jan, 2001 — Jun, 2005 (over 4 years)

Managed a team of editors working on the bestselling list, which was dominated by the 'Horribles' publishing: Horrible Histories, Horrible Science, Horrible Geography, Horribly Famous, Murderous Maths and Foul Football.

Portfolio

Set in a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called The Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen ... read more
Set against the dreaming spires of Jordan College and the dangerous wilderness of the frozen north, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy offers an intoxicating blend of imagination, science, theology and adventure.This special collection features all th... read more
Blood Red Road

Moira Young

Saba's twin is golden. She is his living shadow. He is strong and beautiful. She is scrawny and dark. But nothing will separate them... Raised in isolated Silverlake, Saba is ignorant of the violent and dangerous world beyond, where life is cheap and survival ... read more
Tom Gates is the master of excuses for late homework: dog attacks - spilt water - lightning... Tom's exercise book is full of his doodles and thoughts, as well as comments from his long-suffering teacher, Mr Fullerman.
HORRIBLE SCIENCE: BLOOD, BONES AND BODY BITS is a bone-chilling book of bodies to make kids squeal! Find out what happens when a boil bursts. See what lives in your eyelashes. Gulp at the workings of your disgusting digestion. Redesigned in a bold, funky new l... read more
They're not called the Awesome Egyptians for nothing! The foul pharaohs and their suffering slaves got up to all sorts of terrible tricks. Read this book to... * Meet some fabulous pharaohs... and their mummies * Make revolting recipes for 3000 year old sweets... read more
Planetarium

Raman Prinja

Welcome to the museum that is always open to explore... Step inside the pages of this beautiful book to discover galleries of galactic matter, expertly curated to bring you the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the comfort of your own home. Planetari... read more
Hand-selected by Alastair Humpreys, read about the incredible journeys undertaken by twenty of the most heroic and impressive explorers who ever lived, including Ibn Battuta (14th-century explorer); Apsley Cherry-Garrard (a member of Scott's Antarctic expediti... read more

Lisa has 103 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Allison C.

Allison C.

Dec, 2024

Pinned
This was my first time working with a professional editor, and truly, I don’t think I could have asked for someone more equipped. Not only does Lisa bring a diverse array of experiences to the table, but also an intuitive knack for storytelling. She treated my story with the same curiosity and care I feel as its creator, and didn’t shy away from providing direct, unfiltered feedback–and my manu...
Read more
Lisa E.
Thank you so much, Allison. I’m blown away by that review! I feel as though we’ve had a true creative collaboration, which is immensely rewarding.
Sybil G.

Sybil G.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
Working with Lisa has been an honor. Her editorial precision is formidable, and contrasts beautifully with her creative insights. Lisa sees the inner bones of a story and knows how to coax the clearest version forward. She can help a writer actually create the story they thought they’d written!
Lisa E.
Thank you SO much, Sybil. It was a real pleasure working with you.
Rhiannon H.

Rhiannon H.

May, 2023

Pinned
Working with Lisa is an incredible experience. Her experience, attention to detail, critical and pointed feedback around plot, structure, character development, and concept are unparalleled. My book was unimaginably worse when we first started working together, and I'm excited to continue collaborating to make my book the best it can possibly be.
Lisa E.
Thank you so much, Rachelle. Looking forward to working with you again.
Catherine M.

Catherine M.

Mar, 2025

Lisa's attention to detail really helped polish my manuscript. She was very responsive and asked great clarifying questions that aided in tightening up various elements of the story line. I enjoyed working with her and will definitely be contacting her for book 2. She was well worth the investment and I know has made a tremendous difference in the quality of my manuscript being ready to publish.
Lisa E.
Thank you so much, Catherine. I’m looking forward to working with you again.
George Allen M.

George Allen M.

Feb, 2025

Working with Lisa was fantastic. She's professional, kind, and tells you like it is. I hope to work with her in the future!
Lisa E.
Thank you, George! I hope we can work together again too.

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