Lynne Kelly

Lynne Kelly – Editor

I'm a USA Today bestselling author of children's books, and I love working with writers to make their manuscripts as strong as can be!

Overview


From working with editors on my revisions and critiquing manuscripts for other authors, I know that it's often hard to see what our own work needs. Because we're so close to the story, it's easy to overlook everything from typos to missing plot threads. A pair of fresh eyes and constructive feedback can help you get your manuscript in the best possible shape. After reading your manuscript, I'll give you notes on things like the plot, character development, the setting, and/or specific concerns you want to focus on. It will still be your story told in your authentic voice, only better and stronger.


A little about my own writing path: I started writing in 2006 when I got the idea for what became my first novel, Chained. Though it was a lot of work to write, revise, and research the novel, I discovered that I really liked creating a story and seeing it unfold. My 2019 novel Song For a Whale, about a deaf girl who forms an unlikely bond with the “loneliest whale in the world,” has been described as “finely crafted,” “important,” and “uplifting” by reviewers from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. Song For a Whale received the 2020 Schneider Family Book Award and was named one of the best books of the year by New York Public Library. Translated editions of Song For a Whale are being published (so far) in France, Italy, Russia, China, Iran, Korea, and Turkey. In April 2024, my novel The Secret Language of Birds was published as an instant USA Today bestseller, and my next novel, Three Blue Hearts, will be out in October 2025.


Conference presentations I've given on the craft of writing include adding emotion to your story, plotting with character, and strengthening the midpoint.


I've critiqued manuscripts in a variety of genres from picture books through YA, but I'm most familiar with contemporary middle grade fiction.


Let's get your story ready for the next step on your publication journey!



Services
Fiction
Middle Grade
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Schneider Family Book Award
  • Odyssey Audiobook Award Honor
  • Surrey Schools (B.C) Book Of the Year
  • Spirit of Texas List
  • Georgia Children's Book Award
  • Maryland Black-Eyed Susan List
  • Vermont Middle-Grade Children's Book Award
  • Virginia Reader's Choice
  • Oklahoma Sequoyah List
  • Kentucky Bluegrass Award
  • Sunshine State Young Readers Award
  • Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
  • Parents Choice Award
  • USA Today bestseller

Work experience

self-employed

May, 2012 — Present

Portfolio

Three Blue Hearts

Kelly, Lynne

Delacorte Press

Song for a Whale

Kelly, Lynne

The Secret Language of Birds

Kelly, Lynne

Delacorte Press

Chained

Kelly, Lynne

The First Kiss Hypothesis

Mandelski, Christina

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Seaside Stroll

Trevino, Charles

Developmental Editing
The Sweetest Thing

Mandelski, Christina

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing

Lynne has 11 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Dolores P.

Dolores P.

Sep, 2021

Pinned
Lynne gave me sound, helpful advice. Her insighful suggestions on the first draft of my first children's story put me on a positive path. I would definitely recommend her.
Maria M.

Maria M.

Aug, 2021

Pinned
I enjoyed working with Lynne. She is very professional. Her proofreading was thorough and right on schedule. Additionally, Lynne provided comments that helped me clarify a few things in my story. I highly recommend her!
Tira A.

Tira A.

Jul, 2021

Pinned
Thank you so much Lynne for your advice and all your hard work. You are very knowledgeable and I appreciate everything you have done for me. I would definitely hire you again.
Alex V.

Alex V.

May, 2025

Ms. Kelly was incredibly helpful and made my first book-writing experience a good one. She had helpful suggestions and went above and beyond what she originally had me quoted for! I would recommend her to any author! Thank you so much, and I hope to work with you again!
Paola M.

Paola M.

Apr, 2025

Wonderful

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