Rachel Boden

Rachel Boden – Editor

Children's books editor since '99 with extensive knowledge of UK trade market. Worked at Macmillan, Hachette, Bloomsbury, Walker and Egmont.

Overview

I have edited children's books since 1999 in the UK. In that time I've commissioned and edited young fiction, middle grade, YA and picture books. I have worked at Macmillan, Egmont, Hachette, Bloomsbury, Little Tiger and Walker - so, in large companies and smaller, independent publishers. I have worked with very established authors and illustrators, including two Children's Laureates, and also with debuts. I am currently back at Hachette.

I offer structural edits. There's nothing like reading a fresh voice for the first time, and thinking of ways to enhance it and bring it to the market. Book people always want to share the joy! I love finding a shared vision with the author and honing the manuscript with them. It is a real team effort, and it's the collaboration that I enjoy most.

I am very thoughtful and constructive in my advice, and I'm always aware that it is the author's story. I am a time-aware communicator and I aim to provide a helpful and positive experience.
Services
Fiction
Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy Picture Books Social & Family Issues Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Hachette Children's Group

Jun, 2020 — Present

Walker Books UK

Nov, 2018 — Dec, 2019 (about 1 year)

Maternity cover in the picture books and young fiction team.

Little Tiger Ltd

Sep, 2017 — Jul, 2018 (10 months)

Managed the editorial and design teams for the Stripes fiction imprint, covering a maternity leave.

Hachette Children's Group

Jan, 2017 — Jul, 2017 (6 months)

Managed the editorial team for the Hodder picture book list. Sabbatical cover.

Bloomsbury Children's Books

Oct, 2015 — Jul, 2017 (over 1 year)

Worked in both the fiction and picture book teams. Managed the latter editorial team.

Egmont UK Ltd

Feb, 2004 — Jun, 2012 (over 8 years)

Commissioned and edited fiction, from young chapter books through middle grade and to Young Adult. Worked with both debuts and established names.

Macmillan Children's Books

Aug, 1999 — Jan, 2004 (over 4 years)

Edited fiction and poetry for children aged 5+.

Rachel has 6 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Tony L.

Tony L.

Oct, 2021

Rachel has been a brilliant help - Her recommendations and advice have been so practical & detailed that it's been easy to implement and change my book for the better. She's also been incredibly encouraging and generous with her time. I'd definitely recommend working with Rachel.
Rachel B.
Thank you very much for this kind review, Tony. I was delighted to work on your book. The very best of luck with it! Rachel
Wendy B.

Wendy B.

Jul, 2021

Rachel is a consumate professional with the ability to get to the heart of a story and highlight its problems as well as suggest ways to rectify those problems in a thorough and well-explained report. She was honest, friendly and a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to applying her wise advice to my manuscript.
Rachel B.
Thank you, Wendy. I'm delighted that you have found my advice useful.
Fiona M.

Fiona M.

May, 2021

I'm thrilled that I worked with Rachel on my opening chapters, synopsis, and blurb. She gave me very insightful feedback, helped me look at my novel from other angles, and pushed me to think in fresh ways. I'd definitely work with Rachel again.
NmaHassan M.

NmaHassan M.

Mar, 2021

Besides being compassionate and responsive with high sense of courtesy, Rachel is thorough...a true professional! A Master of the Art!
Rachel B.
Thank you, Hassan! I enjoyed working on your charming story.
Olamide F.

Olamide F.

Feb, 2021

Rachel was great; we requested and paid for a copy edit for a children's picture book but she did more than that and provided some developmental edit feedback. She answered all the questions we had! We would certainly use her again!
Rachel B.
Thank you, Olamide. I enjoyed reading Ebun's story.

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