Lynne Marie

Lynne Marie – Editor

Lynne is a multi-published, award-winning picture book author. She wears many hats, including editor at The Little Press Publishing.

Overview

Lynne has worked as a literary agent intern, creative director, and developmental editor. She is the Editor and Agent Spotlight columnist at Children's Book Insider. On Thursday evenings, she runs a free Zoom Meeting called Mentor Text Talk, where she explores books and craft and also features Guest Authors in Ask An Author Sessions. She currently works as an Editor at the Little Press and runs her own independent publishing company.

She has extensive kidlit experience and has created a career in helping aspiring writers bring their writing and storytelling to the next level. She has helped cultivate many ideas and drafts to publication. She's a highly editorial and honest mentor and critiquer, offering idea consultations, as well as line edits, big picture suggestions, and underlying craft and storytelling guidelines and concepts.

She's excited about the prospect of helping you to make your work shine!

Services
Fiction
Children's
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Seymour Agency

Jan, 2024 — Dec, 2024 (almost 1 year)
Worked as a Literary Agent Intern Assistant under Marisa Cleveland. Was offered a position as Agent, but declined due to another offer.

Self-employed

Mar, 2010 — Present
I have had the pleasure of being developmental editor to many successful projects over the year, as well as a coach for many successful authors on story ideas, current projects, cover letters and more. I have an extensive teaching / speaker's portfolio, as well.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing
Abuelita's Gift: A Día de Muertos Story

Ríos Ramírez, Mariana

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
JoJo and the Fashion Show

Clayton, Annette M

Lerner Publications ™

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Mama Won't Mind

Bahr, Kathleen

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Home Away From Home

Akbari, Nazneen

Barefoot Books

Developmental Editing
The Mithai Box Is Not Empty

Agarwal, Namrata

Holiday House

Developmental Editing
Fishing with Grandpa and Skye

Spizzirri, Candace

Clear ForkPress

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Stanley's Secret

Sullivan, John

A Paula Wiseman Book/Beach Lane Books

Developmental Editing
Ethan and the Strays

Sullivan, John

A Paula Wiseman Book/Beach Lane Books

Developmental Editing
Can I Keep It, Please?

Sullivan, John

Beach Lane Books

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Bella's Recipe for Success

Siqueira, Ana

Beaming Books

Developmental Editing

Lynne has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Oliver P.

Oliver P.

Sep, 2026

Lynn was kind but also very clear and honest about what needed to be changed. She also went above and beyond, getting a second opinion and feeding it back to me.
Brian S.

Brian S.

Sep, 2026

I had a video call with Lynn, and it was an excellent experience. She was very friendly, open, and professional. She provided valuable insight into my book and gave me an honest and thoughtful assessment of both the areas where I can improve and the things I am doing well. I really appreciated he...
Read more
Lynne M.
Brian is the consummate professional, with a marketable project and the will and drive to make his project the very best it can be. I have great faith in him and his ultimate success! He is a pleas...
Read more
Samuel S.

Samuel S.

Sep, 2026

Very useful direction that caused me to view my objective from a different perspective.
Brian S.

Brian S.

Aug, 2026

Lynn provided very insightful and thoughtful feedback that was extremely helpful as I worked through my book assessment. Her comments gave me a clearer perspective on the strengths of the book as well as areas that needed further consideration. I really appreciated the time she put into her feedb...
Read more
Dequilah B.

Dequilah B.

Aug, 2026

Lynne Marie provided thoughtful, detailed, and meaningful feedback. She identified areas of my story that I couldn’t see on my own and helped me better understand the importance of writing with my intended audience in mind. Her feedback was honest, constructive, and exactly what I needed to stren...
Read more

Most recent contributions

What makes a good character flaw?

In picture books, a good flaw is often part of the story solution. For example, in NED THE KNITTING PIRATE by Diana Murray, it was a problem that Ned knit instead of being a proper pirate, but in the end, his knitting offered solutions to the problems. Likewise, in THE STAR IN THE CHRISTMAS PLAY ...
Read more

How do editors and agents evaluate whether a manuscript has commercial and craft potential?

As an editor for a small children's book press, I first read the story to see if the manuscript is well-written, and the story is well told. If I get to the end (there are many reasons that editors and agents will stop reading and go on to the next cover letter and story), then I evaluate whether...
Read more

What factors influence the ideal paragraph length in nonfiction writing?

For Children's Writers and Authors: There's a lot of good tips to mine here, but here's an example specific to my genre. I wrote a creative non-fiction childre's picture book published by Beaming Books, and I was told approximately 25 words for the text on each spread, and approximately 25 words ...
Read more

Professionals similar to Lynne

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

Debbie M.

I'm an editor with a long work history at publishers where many clients went on to win awards and be featured on Amazon and at Barnes&Noble.

Gilbert, AZ, USA

100% reply rate

View profile

Kim L.

Trad. pub'd author, certified fiction book coach, 7-year Pitch Wars mentor, developmental editor. Helping you meet your publishing goals.

Chicago suburbs

100% reply rate

View profile

Dan S.

Accomplished non-fiction editor & author with 25+ years in the industry. Specialising in crime, biography, history, politics and reference.

London, UK

100% reply rate

View profile