Rachel Mann - Editor
Children's/YA specialist and agent with 13 years' experience commissioning and editing. Ex-Penguin Random House, S&S and Roald Dahl HQ
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Overview
A professional commissioning, structural, line and copyeditor, specialising in children's & YA/crossover but now a literary agent representing well-known clients across adult and children's, in fiction, non-fiction and poetry. I've worked on editorial teams at large houses such as Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster and Egmont, across a range of ages and genres, with authors such as Rick Riordan, Darren Shan, Michael Morpurgo, Becca Fitzpatrick, Laura Ellen Anderson and Gayle Forman. Most recently, I was global publishing director at the Roald Dahl Story Company.
I'm now a freelance editor and literary agent, helping writers develop their voices and tell their most powerful stories. I'm particularly interested in marginalised voices and innovative forms, but happy to assist across a broad spectrum of genres and age-ranges. At the moment I'm only proofreading and copyediting around agenting, though I can take on shorter developmental edits and query letter reviews.
I'm now a freelance editor and literary agent, helping writers develop their voices and tell their most powerful stories. I'm particularly interested in marginalised voices and innovative forms, but happy to assist across a broad spectrum of genres and age-ranges. At the moment I'm only proofreading and copyediting around agenting, though I can take on shorter developmental edits and query letter reviews.
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Contemporary Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction
Literary Fiction
Middle Grade
Romantic Comedy
Social & Family Issues
Young Adult Fantasy
Awards
- Branford Boase shortlist 2016
- FutureBook 40 2018
Work experience
Literary Agent
Jo Unwin Literary Agency
January, 2019
–
Present
(over 3 years)
Having spent ten years commissioning and editing books for young people, I’m now actively growing a list of writers in fiction and non-fiction, with a particular focus on children’s and YA but also extending into adult work across many styles and genres. My clients include Eliza Clark, Caleb Femi, Lucy Cuthew, Jack Meggitt-Phillips and Bethany Rutter.
Publishing Director
Roald Dahl Story Company UK Ltd
January, 2017
–
August, 2018
(over 1 year)
I had full financial and strategic responsibility for global publishing activity across 47 territories and in 62 languages, with a focus on English Language publishing. In close collaboration with the estate's literary agents, I was responsible for the evolution, protection and development of global publishing identity and income across print and digital, for both adult and children’s titles.
Editorial Director, Fiction (maternity)
Egmont UK Ltd
August, 2016
–
January, 2017
(5 months)
Co-running department strategy; commissioning, editing and project-managing authors such as Michael Morpurgo, Laura Ellen Anderson, Kevin & Katie Tsang and Katy Birchall, as well as a number of debut authors and project publications. I also ran editorial and brand strategy on Egmont's Enid Blyton list.
Commissioning Editor, Children's & YA
Simon & Schuster UK
March, 2014
–
August, 2016
(over 2 years)
Commissioning, editing and project-managing authors such as Adam Silvera, Darren Shan, Becca Fitzpatrick, Gayle Forman, Michelle Harrison, Amy Alward, Laura Bates, Michelle Harrison and C. J. Flood, as well as a number of debut authors and project publications.
Assistant Editor
Random House Children's Books
March, 2013
–
March, 2014
(12 months)
Editing and project-managing authors such as Michael Morpurgo, Steve Cole, Chris Ryan, Richard Hammond and Bear Grylls.
Freelance editor and publishing consultant
Self-employed
January, 2011
–
Present
(over 11 years)
Editorial, publishing strategy and project management across a broad spectrum of publications, with a focus on fiction for children and young adults. All stages of development and delivery, from creative conception to structural development, through to copy editing and proofreading. Working with self-publishing authors, as well as Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster, Faber, Egmont, Scholastic, Stripes, Walker Books and Knights Of.
Editorial Assistant
Puffin Books, Penguin Children's
June, 2010
–
May, 2012
(almost 2 years)
Co-editing work by authors such as Rick Riordan, Melvin Burgess and Steven Butler.
Fiction Buying Assistant
Scholastic Clubs & Fairs
February, 2010
–
June, 2010
(4 months)
Portfolio (32 selected works)
The Beast and the Bethany (1)
Meggitt-Phillips, Jack, Follath, Isabelle
Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball
Laura Ellen Anderson
A GORGEOUSLY GOTHIC, WICKEDLY FUNNY NEW SERIES FROM WITCH WARS ILLUSTRATOR LAURA ELLEN ANDERSON Welcome to the world of Nocturnia, where darkness reigns supreme, glitter is terrifying, and unicorns are the stuff of nightmares! Amelia Fang would much rather hang out with her pet pumpkin Squashy and her friends Florence the yeti (DON'T CALL HER BEAST!) and Grimaldi the reaper than dance at her p... read more
High-Rise Mystery (The High-rise Mysteries)
Sharna Jackson
Winter Magic
Abi Elphinstone
A beautiful and classic anthology of frosty, magical short stories from acclaimed children’s writers such as Michelle Magorian, Berlie Doherty, Lauren St John and Katherine Woodfine, and edited by author Abi Elphinstone.Dreamsnatcher’s Abi Elphinstone heads up this gorgeous collection of wintery stories, featuring snow queens, frost fairs, snow dragons and pied pipers . . . from classic childr... read more
I Knew You Were Trouble
Paige Toon
Sunshine, rock gods and Hollywood hearthrobs! Jessie Jefferson is back in the next instalment from bestselling author Paige Toon. Perfect for fans of Geek Girl, Jessica Cole and Girl Online. Life as the undercover daughter of a rock god isn't going to be easy. How will Jessie adjust to her old boring life again after spending her summer living it up with her dad in LA? With tough decisions ahe... read more
Stop Those Monsters!
Steve Cole
'He's very good...my daughter monster-munched her way through it - and so did I.'The TimesThe Wizard of Ozmeets Monsters Incin this MONSTROUSLY funny stand-alone story from bestselling author phenomenon, Steve Cole.I'm Bob, a human boy stuck in a land of MONSTERS. I'm trying to get out with the help of three - count them, three - incredible creatures. There's Verity, who looks like a giant ham... read more
Only Remembered
Michael Morpurgo
Published to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, this beautiful anthology collects favourite extracts, poems and images from some of the UK’s leading cultural, political and literary figures.Poems, short stories, personal letters, newspaper articles, scripts, photographs and paintings are just some of the elements of this astonishing collection, with cover and artwork by... read more
ZOM-B Fugitive
Darren Shan
"Possibly the most mind-blowing [instalment] yet...it has what is hands down the biggest plot twist in the entire series, and that's really saying something. Darren Shan pulled out the big guns with this one."So Many Books, So Little Time "OH MAN!!!!!!! This has totally annihilated me! Cannot wait for Zom-B Goddess to come out!!! April 2016 is so far away!"Empire of Books via Goodreads WHERE D... read more
ZOM-B Goddess
Darren Shan
Double-crossed again, B is confused, enraged and broken. But the battle isn’t over. The end is nigh, but there are plenty of horrors to come. And who will survive? The zombies? The humans? Or worse . . .? The final, heartstopping installment from master of horror, Darren Shan. 'Zom-B Goddess doesn’t disappoint. We get another huge twist, another big moment for B to shine and a suitably mind-bl... read more
The Bubble Boy
Stewart Foster
Amir is mad. He’s crazy. But the hospital wouldn’t let a crazy person in. They must have interviewed him and checked his qualifications. But maybe he didn’t even meet them? Maybe he hasn’t even come from India. He might have arrived on an alien spaceship and snuck in here in the middle of the night. Eleven-year-old Joe can't remember a life outside of his hospital room, with its beeping machin... read more
Nightwanderers
C. J. Flood
A stunning, sad and darkly funny story about intense female friendship, from award-winning author, C. J. Flood.It all started with a poo in a flowerbed. Rosie and Titania are as close as sisters - closer, in fact. While Rosie is shy, red-faced and passive, Ti is big, tough and daring. They shouldn't be friends, but they are. Creeping out at night, the girls love to secretly wander through thei... read more
Circus of Thieves and the Comeback Caper
William Sutcliffe
Shank's Impossible Circus rolls back into town for this hilarious brand new adventure from Will Sutcliffe brought to life by wonderful illustrations from David Tazzyman! And there's about to be double the trouble as dastardly ringmaster Armitage Shank comes face to face with his long lost twin! Urgh, how will the world cope with two Shanks?
The Potion Diaries: Royal Tour
Amy Alward
Since winning the Hunt and saving her new BFF, Princess Evelyn, Sam Kemi has been royally busy.. What with TV interviews, working in her family’s potion store and preparing to join Evelyn on her world tour, Sam STILL hasn’t had time for a real date with Zain, her new-boyfriend-slash-former-rival. And that’s not happening anytime soon. Someone has tampered with Sam’s grandad’s mind and she is t... read more
The Other Alice
Michelle Harrison
What happens when a tale with real magic, that was supposed to be finished, never was? This is a story about one of those stories . . . Midge loves riddles, his cat, Twitch, and – most of all – stories. Especially because he's grown up being read to by his sister Alice, a brilliant writer. When Alice goes missing and a talking cat turns up in her bedroom, Midge searches Alice’s stories for a c... read more
Flight of a Starling
Lisa Heathfield
The stunning new novel from award-shortlisted Lisa Heathfield, author of Seed and Paper Butterflies. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven's All the Bright Places, Lisa Williamson, Sarah Crossan and Sara Barnard. Rita and Lo, sisters and best friends, have spent their lives on the wing - flying through the air in their trapeze act, never staying in one place for long. Behind the greasepaint and t... read more
All The Things That Could Go Wrong
Stewart Foster
'A moving, humane, funny portrait of two very different boys discovering what connects us all' Kiran Milwood Hargrave, author of The Girl of Ink and Stars ‘It’s amazing! Such a bold idea to have a character like Dan… you pulled it off brilliantly.’ Ross Welford, author of Time Travelling with a Hamster 'I loved it' Lisa Thompson, author of The Goldfish BoyThere are two sides to every story Dan... read more
Me Being Me Is Exactly as Insane as You Being You
Todd Hasak-Lowy
John Greenmeets 500 Days of SummermeetsNick Hornby.Darren hasn't had an easy year. His parents divorced, his brother left for college, and his best friend moved state. Also, he still doesn't have a girlfriend. Then his dad shows up at 6am with a glazed chocolate donut and a pretty world-shaking revelation. In full freak-out mode, Darren ditches school and jumps on a bus to visit his brother, N... read more
Daughters unto Devils
Amy Lukavics
Sometimes I believe the baby will never stop crying. Sixteen-year-old Amanda Verner fears she is losing her mind. When her family move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, Amanda hopes she can leave her haunting memories behind: of her sickly Ma giving birth to a terribly afflicted baby; of the cabin fever that claimed Amanda's sanity; of the boy who she has been meeting in sec... read more
Lyttle Lies: The Pudding Problem
Joe Berger
To Sam Lyttle, the truth is like an elephant. It’s heavy, worrying and wrinkly. And when it’s sitting in your way, you can’t go under it or over it. But you CAN skirt round it… So Sam does, every now and then, tell the odd porky-pie, much to the annoyance of his family. But is there more to Sam’s occasional streeeetching of the truth than meets the eye? The first book in this laugh-out-loud se... read more
Sam Wu Is NOT Afraid of Ghosts!
Kevin Tsang, Katie Tsang
Black Ice
Becca Fitzpatrick
Britt Pfeiffer has never been that adventurous, but that's about to change. Wanting to impress her ex-boyfriend, Britt convinces best friend, Korbie, to take a trekking trip with her. But when a freak storm leaves the girls stranded they seek shelter in a cabin, where they find two knights in shining armour. Or so they think. Britt quickly realises that the girls need to get off the mountain, ... read more
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles Book 3)
Rick Riordan
The Kane Chronicles: The Serpent's Shadow is the final thrilling instalment in award-winning author Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles trilogy. Is their inherited magic enough to battle against the most powerful mythical forces that Egypt's gods have to throw at them? CARTER AND SADIE KANE, descendants of the magical House of Life, are in pretty big trouble. Despite their bravest efforts, Apophis,... read more
Kill All Enemies
Melvin Burgess
Everyone says fourteen-year-old BILLIE is nothing but trouble. A fighter. A danger to her family and friends.But her care worker sees someone different. Her classmate ROB is big, strong; he can take care of himself and his brother.But his violent stepdad sees someone to humiliate. And CHRIS is struggling at school; he just doesn't want to be there.But his dad sees a useless no-hoper. Billie, R... read more
I Was Here
Gayle Forman
A brand-new, heart-wrenching novel from the bestselling author of If I Stay, Gayle Forman Cody and Meg were inseparable - best friends for life. They knew everything about each other. Or Cody thought they did. But how well do you ever really know your best friend? And what do you do whn they choose to leave you behind? As Cody numbly searches for answers as to why Meg took her own life, she be... read more
Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief (The Amelia Fang Series)
Laura Ellen Anderson
A brand new title in the bestselling gorgeously gothic and wickedly funny Amelia Fang series – perfect for readers of 7+Meet Amelia Fang! Everyone’s favourite little vampire.Amelia and her friends are taking part in a competition to visit Pumpkin Paradise Park – the most bloodcurdingly brilliant theme park ever! All they have to do is sell as many cookies as possible.But the creatures of Noctu... read more
The Day I Was Erased
Lisa Thompson (UK)
The brand new read-in-one-sitting mystery from the author of unforgettable bestseller The Goldfish Boy. Eleven-year-old Maxwell is always, always in trouble. Roaming the town with his beloved pet dog Monster (who he rescued as a puppy from being run over) as a way to escape his parents' constant sniping at home, he's a menace to the neighbours and teachers at school. While visiting an elderly ... read more
History Is All You Left Me
Adam Silvera
The NYT Besteller and 2017 Zoella & Friends Book Club Selection by Juno DawsonYou’re still alive in alternate universes, Theo, but I live in the real world where this morning you’re having an open casket funeral. I know you’re out there, listening. And you should know I’m really pissed because you swore you would never die and yet here we are. It hurts even more because this isn’t the first pr... read more
A Pinch of Magic
Michelle Harrison
'A SPELLBINDING STORY, STEEPED IN MAGIC. I ADORED IT' - Abi Elphinstone, author of Sky Song Three sisters trapped by an ancient curse. Three magical objects with the power to change their fate. Will they be enough to break the curse? Or will they lead the sisters even deeper into danger? ...The enchanting new story from Michelle Harrison, author of the bestselling THIRTEEN TREASURES trilogy Pr... read more
Love is for Losers
Wibke Brueggemann
A laugh out loud look at first love, loss and trying to avoid the girl of your dreams.What a stupid expression that is in the first place: To fall in love.Like you fall into a ditch or something.Maybe people need to look where they’re going.As far as Phoebe Davis is concerned, love is to be avoided at all costs. Why would you spend your life worrying about something that turns you into a compl... read more
My Broken Vagina
Fran Bushe
This book is one woman's funny, moving, and sometimes awkward quest to fix her sex life, but it's the story of millions of women everywhere - half of all women have felt pain during sex. During award-winning writer and performer Fran Bushe's journey towards building a better relationship with her genitals, doctors advised her to have a glass of wine to loosen up, and male friends suggested she... read more
The Way We Survive
Catriona Morton
'This book will often hurt. It will make you angry, it will make you feel. My hope is that this hurt, this anger and these feelings will move you to change the way we talk about surviving sexual violence.' Sexual violence is an epidemic happening across all intersections of society, impacting every one of us. In the aftermath of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements, a cultural conversation has b... read more
Blood Moon
Cuthew, Lucy
Rachel has 48 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Thanks Rachel. Very helpful, useful and clear.
Hernán Valderrama, October 2021
Very pleased with this editor's work. Copy edit was completed very professionally and right on time.
Topher Allen, August 2021
Just a quick read-through this time, but work was completed on time and I got plenty of useful feedback. Very pleased.
Rory Stuart, August 2021
Rachel was exceptionally easy to work with, she kept me updated throughout and was willing to work with a small schedule shift, I will most enthusiastically hire her again.
Mercer Black, July 2021
This was my first time working with an editor, and it has been as inspiring as I hoped it would be. Rachel has been insightful, clear and informative throughout. As it is my first time it is hard to comment on ‘value’ but I have been thoroughly pleased with the detailed reports she has provided me with, as well as answering my questions about the details mentioned there in. I am hoping to work ...
Read more
Rory Stuart, July 2021
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Jenna Dolan
Since 1987, I've copyedited hundreds of works of nonfiction for low pay, on time, and with a smile. Ask my cats.
New York, NY, USA
Margaret Milan Wright
Developmental Editor specializing in Y/A and middle grade with experience at Penguin Young Readers Group and Simon and Schuster Children's.
Hopewell Junction, NY, USA
