Overview
I am a professional children's books editor with more than 15 years of experience with US publishers, including Callisto Media, Boyds Mills Press, and Chronicle Books. I have worked on a wide range of projects, but I have a particular passion for middle grade nonfiction and middle grade and young adult novels. In novels, I gravitate toward coming-of-age stories with plenty of heart and also smart genre books, especially reality-based paranormal, horror, magical realism, and light sci-fi. I love working with writers of all levels of experience and am known for having a supportive, collaborative working style that brings out the best in authors. I am also an exacting copy editor and proofreader, consistently maintaining the highest standards.
Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Coming of Age
Dystopian
Horror
Literary Fiction
Middle Grade
Time Travel
Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Work experience
Boyds Mills Press (Highlights for Children)
Jan, 2013 —
Feb, 2018
(about 5 years)
* Acquired and edited 6-8 books per season, including fiction and nonfiction picture books, long nonfiction, and middle grade and young adult novels
* Worked closely with authors to shape and fine-tune novels, including extensive work on plot, pacing, and characterization
Learning Media (subcontractor of McGraw-Hill)
Jun, 2011 —
Mar, 2012
(9 months)
* Edited fiction and nonfiction leveled readers for McGraw-Hill, totaling 4 books per week for a full school year
* Heavily edited fiction and nonfiction pieces to improve quality, clarity, and age-appropriateness and to meet McGraw-Hill’s guidelines and specifications
Chronicle Books
Jun, 2006 —
Apr, 2011
(almost 5 years)
* Acquired and edited a wide range of projects, including board books, picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels
* Provided editorial support to executive and senior editors
Portfolio
With a fascinating plot involving time travel, this fast-paced, emotional suspense novel will keep middle grade and young adult readers at the edges of their seats.By both society's measure and her own, fifteen-year-old Zoe Mahar is pretty much a loser. Then o... read more
Fox brothers Rusty and Rojo toil and till in their vegetable garden all summer long until they're finally ready to make their splendid, scrumptious, marvelous rabbit stew. Then they begin to pick colorful ingredients one by one, from lean, green runner beans a... read more
Niko and his crew embark on an intergalactic adventure to the Planet Zorg, where Niko’s cousin Sasha is being held captive by a space pirate (who is actually Niko’s sister, Posh!). But when Niko and his crew charge in to the rescue, the girls do the unthinkabl... read more
Dog park? Let’s go! Percy may be a small dog, but he more than makes up for it in attitude and energy. Holding tight to his precious toy ball, he makes his way to the dog park, coming across three friends along the way—Molly, with her kerchief; Oatmeal Cookie,... read more
In this fast-paced time-travel thriller starring a compelling female character, Alex’s power as a spinner—a teen who can rewind time to help solve crimes—is suddenly in question. At sixteen, the dreaded time sickness that causes all spinners to die early strik... read more
This clever and hilarious story stars Cat, who starts out perfectly content and relaxed, and Duck, who infuriates him by meowing like a cat instead of quacking like Cat thinks he should. Written completely in dialogue, this minimalist text by award-winning nov... read more
From the author-illustrator of the award-winning Goose and Bear series comes an endearing picture book about friendship and tolerance for children ages 3-7. A sweet group of young animals shows readers that even though others might look, talk, or walk differen... read more
This fast-paced, sharply written multiple-perspective YA science-fiction debut opens on a future Earth ravaged by solar radiation. Desperate for money to save his sick mother, seventeen-year-old Matthew agrees to participate in the Exo Project, a government pl... read more
This lyrical and beautifully illustrated lullaby picture book prepares children ages 3-6 for bedtime by imagining what animals dream.This soothing bedtime story explores the question, When animals sleep, what do they see in their dreams? The lyrical text tells... read more
David Gershwin's summer is about to take a turn for the weird. When his dad's new patient Zelda tells him shes from outer space and on a quest to take Johnny Depp back to her planet, he knows he should run away screaming. But with one look from her mean, green... read more
Here is a stunningly illustrated nonfiction picture book for young readers ages 6-9 about a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis.This gorgeous and lyrical picture book continues the Secret Life series by renowned science author Laurence Pringle an... read more
Eleven-year-old Mattie Marvelwood comes from a family of traveling performers. Her dad is an illusionist; her mom is a fortune-teller; her brother has a vanishing act; and she herself is a mind-reader. But the Marvelwoods have a deep secret. The acts they perf... read more
After an abrupt move across the country to San Francisco, sixteen-year-old Livvy is shocked to find that her mother has lied to her. Instead of looking for work at a bakery, her mom is taking care of Adelle, Livvy’s grandmother, who Livvy thought was long dead... read more
Set in the summer of 1939, this sensitive, coming-of-age historical novel explores the complex nature of justice as a young girl struggles to stand up for what she knows is right, even when her community wants to turn the other way. It’s the calm before the st... read more
For fans of Goosebumps and other young horror titles, here is the first book of The Goolz Next Door series. When horror novelist Frank Goolz and his daughters, Ilona and Suzie, move next door, twelve-year-old Harold is only hoping to make exciting new friends.... read more
The #1 New York Times bestsellerAs the sun sets behind the big construction site, all the hardworking trucks get ready to say goodnight. One by one, Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and Excavator finish their work and lie down to rest—so they'... read more
