Rachel Solomon - Editor
Experienced editor with an eye for details. Specialties include romance, YA, MG. Multi-pubbed author at Simon & Schuster and Penguin.
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Overview
Hello! I'm an experienced freelance editor and multi-published author with Simon & Schuster and Penguin Random House. Over the past 10 years, I've worked as a professional copy editor, book coach, and slush reader, in addition to operating my own freelance editing business, Rainy Day Editing. Currently, I divide my time between writing and freelance editing.
Since 2014, I've volunteered as a Pitch Wars mentor, reading hundreds of submissions and mentoring writers, many of whom have gone on to secure literary agents and book deals. I currently serve on the Pitch Wars leadership committee. After spending a considerable amount of time in the query trenches and on submission, I understand how crucial it is to have a polished manuscript to snag an agent's attention.
I strive to highlight each story's unique qualities, and clients find my editing style supportive, insightful, honest, and detailed. My specialties include MG, YA, and romance, and my knowledge of those markets is especially strong. I also have experience working with diverse and LGBTQ+ fiction. I'm available for developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, proofreading, editorial assessments, query critiques, and a number of other services — feel free to ask if you don't see the exact package you're looking for!
I'm the author of the YA novels YOU'LL MISS ME WHEN I'M GONE, OUR YEAR OF MAYBE, and TODAY TONIGHT TOMORROW, all published by Simon & Schuster's Simon Pulse imprint. My first adult romantic comedy, THE EX TALK, will be published by Penguin Random House's Berkley imprint in 2021.
Whether you're preparing to query or seeking an editor for your independently published book, I'd love to help take your work to the next level!
"I've been lucky enough to receive feedback from Rachel on several projects at different stages. She has a fabulous eye for structural edits, character development, and heightening stakes. She is very communicative and a pleasure to work with." — Gloria Chao, author of AMERICAN PANDA and OUR WAYWARD FATE (Simon & Schuster)
"Rachel is a dedicated and thoughtful developmental editor who brings a vast array of wisdom about the landscape of the publishing industry to her work. Through her feedback on multiple manuscripts, Rachel has again and again brought a keen editorial eye and a knack for digging deep into the big picture to her work." — Kit Frick, author of SEE ALL THE STARS and ALL EYES ON US (Simon & Schuster)
"I had the absolute best experience working with Rachel. Her edit letters are comprehensive and detailed, her comments the perfect blend of critical and supportive. She’s the type of editor whose comments make you excited to dive in and tackle revisions. She truly got the heart of my story and knew what I was trying to do. Less than a month after Pitch Wars ended, I signed with my dream agent. I am a better writer for working with Rachel, and I cannot recommend her enough!" — Marisa Kanter, author of WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU (Simon & Schuster)
Since 2014, I've volunteered as a Pitch Wars mentor, reading hundreds of submissions and mentoring writers, many of whom have gone on to secure literary agents and book deals. I currently serve on the Pitch Wars leadership committee. After spending a considerable amount of time in the query trenches and on submission, I understand how crucial it is to have a polished manuscript to snag an agent's attention.
I strive to highlight each story's unique qualities, and clients find my editing style supportive, insightful, honest, and detailed. My specialties include MG, YA, and romance, and my knowledge of those markets is especially strong. I also have experience working with diverse and LGBTQ+ fiction. I'm available for developmental editing, line editing, copy editing, proofreading, editorial assessments, query critiques, and a number of other services — feel free to ask if you don't see the exact package you're looking for!
I'm the author of the YA novels YOU'LL MISS ME WHEN I'M GONE, OUR YEAR OF MAYBE, and TODAY TONIGHT TOMORROW, all published by Simon & Schuster's Simon Pulse imprint. My first adult romantic comedy, THE EX TALK, will be published by Penguin Random House's Berkley imprint in 2021.
Whether you're preparing to query or seeking an editor for your independently published book, I'd love to help take your work to the next level!
TESTIMONIALS
"I've been lucky enough to receive feedback from Rachel on several projects at different stages. She has a fabulous eye for structural edits, character development, and heightening stakes. She is very communicative and a pleasure to work with." — Gloria Chao, author of AMERICAN PANDA and OUR WAYWARD FATE (Simon & Schuster)
"Rachel is a dedicated and thoughtful developmental editor who brings a vast array of wisdom about the landscape of the publishing industry to her work. Through her feedback on multiple manuscripts, Rachel has again and again brought a keen editorial eye and a knack for digging deep into the big picture to her work." — Kit Frick, author of SEE ALL THE STARS and ALL EYES ON US (Simon & Schuster)
"I had the absolute best experience working with Rachel. Her edit letters are comprehensive and detailed, her comments the perfect blend of critical and supportive. She’s the type of editor whose comments make you excited to dive in and tackle revisions. She truly got the heart of my story and knew what I was trying to do. Less than a month after Pitch Wars ended, I signed with my dream agent. I am a better writer for working with Rachel, and I cannot recommend her enough!" — Marisa Kanter, author of WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU (Simon & Schuster)
Languages
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction
Literary Fiction
Middle Grade
Romance
Thriller & Suspense
Women's Fiction
Young Adult
Certifications
- BA in Journalism, University of Washington, 2011
- 5-year Pitch Wars mentor
Awards
- 2019 Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book: YOU'LL MISS ME WHEN I'M GONE
- Winter 2018 Kids' Indie Next List Top 10: YOU'LL MISS ME WHEN I'M GONE
- Winter 2018 Indies Introduce Selection: YOU'LL MISS ME WHEN I'M GONE
- February 2019 Best New Paperbacks: YOU'LL MISS ME WHEN I'M GONE
- Winter 2019 Kids' Indie Next List: OUR YEAR OF MAYBE
Work experience
Book coach
Author Accelerator
May, 2016
–
March, 2018
(almost 2 years)
Worked one-on-one with writers to build their novels from the ground up. Guided them through various exercises inspired by Lisa Cron's STORY GENIUS, edited weekly submissions, and offered editorial insight. We worked together on outlines, character sketches, and scene cards to ensure writers felt confident to begin drafting.
Slush reader
Entangled Publishing
April, 2013
–
May, 2015
(about 2 years)
Read romance and YA manuscripts submitted to small publisher, wrote detailed reader reports outlining strengths and weaknesses.
Freelance editor
Self-employed
March, 2012
–
Present
(over 10 years)
Provide developmental edits, line edits, copy edits, and query assessments for numerous writers, including many repeat clients.
Copy editor
The Daily of the University of Washington
September, 2008
–
January, 2010
(over 1 year)
Worked as a copy editor for professional newspaper at the University of Washington. Circulation: 10,000.
Portfolio (17 selected works)
You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone
Rachel Lynn Solomon
A heartbreaking and lyrical debut novel about twins who navigate first love, their Jewish identity, and opposite results from a genetic test that determines their fate--whether they inherited their mother's Huntington's disease.Eighteen-year-old twins Adina and Tovah have little in common besides their ambitious nature. Viola prodigy Adina yearns to become a soloist--and to convince her music ... read more
Our Year of Maybe
Rachel Lynn Solomon
From the author of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone comes a stunning contemporary novel that examines the complicated aftermath of a kidney transplant between best friends.Aspiring choreographer Sophie Orenstein would do anything for Peter Rosenthal-Porter, who’s been on the kidney transplant list as long as she’s known him. Peter, a gifted pianist, is everything to Sophie: best friend, musical co... read more
Today Tonight Tomorrow
Rachel Lynn Solomon
The Hating Game meets Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by way of Morgan Matson in this unforgettable romantic comedy about two rival overachievers whose relationship completely transforms over the course of twenty-four hours.Today, she hates him. It’s the last day of senior year. Rowan Roth and Neil McNair have been bitter rivals for all of high school, clashing on test scores, student counc... read more
Nothing Left to Burn
Heather Ezell
The autumn morning after sixteen-year-old Audrey Harper loses her virginity, she wakes to a loud, persistent knocking at her front door. Waiting for her are two firemen, there to let her know that the moment she's been dreading has arrived: the enormous wildfire sweeping through Orange County, California, is now dangerously close to her idyllic gated community of Coto de Caza, and it's time to... read more
See All the Stars
Kit Frick
“A gripping and atmospheric contemporary thriller.” —Kirkus Reviews “Complex, captivating, and gorgeously written.” —Karen M. McManus, New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying We Were Liars meets Goodbye Days in this thrilling debut novel that sweeps readers away as they try to solve the mystery of what happened then to make Ellory so broken now.It’s hard to find the truth benea... read more
American Panda
Gloria Chao
"Weepingly funny." --The Wall Street Journal"Delightful." --BuzzFeed"Charmed my socks off." --David Arnold, New York Times bestselling author of Kids of Appetite and MosquitolandFour starred reviews for this incisive, laugh-out-loud contemporary debut about a Taiwanese-American teen whose parents want her to be a doctor and marry a Taiwanese Ivy Leaguer despite her squeamishness with germs and... read more
Boomerang
Helene Dunbar
Michael Sterling disappeared from his Maine town five years ago. Everyone assumed he was kidnapped. The truth is worse―he ran away and found the life he always dreamed of.But now, at seventeen, he's Sean Woodhouse. And he's come "home," to the last place he wants to be, to claim the small inheritance his grandparents promised him when he graduated high school, all so he can save Trip, the neig... read more
Queen & Commander (The Hive Queen Saga Book 1)
Janine A. Southard
“Anywhere but here” has its drawbacks.“...like Joss Whedon's Firefly but for teenagers.” – The YA’s NightstandDo your Test results define you?Teens flee their Test results in a not-quite-stolen spaceship that they can’t even fly. An ensemble adventure with intrigue, science, and deception.“...everything I love about science fiction” – Donnie Darko Girl review blog “Right from the beginning I w... read more
All Eyes on Us
Kit Frick
Pretty Little Liars meets People Like Us in this taut, tense thriller about two teens who find their lives intertwined when an anonymous texter threatens to spill their secrets and uproot their lives.PRIVATE NUMBER: Wouldn’t you look better without a cheater on your arm? AMANDA: Who is this? The daughter of small town social climbers, Amanda Kelly is deeply invested in her boyfriend, real esta... read more
Hive & Heist (The Hive Queen Saga Book 2)
Janine A. Southard
A space station caper! Here’s the sequel to the award-winning Queen & Commander.Is it really stealing when you take back what’s yours?Exhausted and broke, Rhiannon’s Hive limps into John Wayne Station on the Ceridwen’s Cauldron. Safe at last, this stop-over is looking bright until the authorities steal their ship’s engine. The only solution: steal it back!Between stage-handing a play (at the l... read more
Reign & Revolution (The Hive Queen Saga Book 3)
Janine A. Southard
The Hive Queen Saga's Thrilling Conclusion! Rhiannon and her Hive have mastered space travel. Sort of. At least, they’re better at it. They've outsmarted kidnappers, survived severe oxygen deprivation, and heisted back their own ship engine from would-be thieves.Since joining up, they’ve traveled farther and farther away from their home planet. But out on Yin He Garden Station (in Chinese-owne... read more
The Robot Who Stole Herself (Archival and Recovery Book 1)
Janine A. Southard
Before she became an American Space Ranger. Before she joined Queen-Commander Rhiannon on the Ceridwen’s Cauldron. Before she was sentient, robotic M3L-15-A was a nanny.In this science fiction short story, Melissa turns her child-rearing programming on herself and climbs to sentience. She would happily continue in her caregiving role, but her new interests lead her to less-than-ideal choices (... read more
Cracked! A Magic iPhone Story
Janine A. Southard
A First Place Category Winner for the Cygnus Awards 2015What can your phone do for you?This is the story of a girl and her iPhone. No, that’s not quite right. This is the story of a middle-aged statistician and her best friend. Though she didn’t consider herself middle-aged. And the best friend was more of a roommate-with-whom-she’d-developed-a-friendship. And this description completely ignor... read more
These Convergent Stars
Janine A. Southard
Shapeshifting cats in space! A novella of mistaken identity...300 years ago, Earth was destroyed, but the Terrans aren’t giving up. Maya Qaitra is a special type of Terran, created to sniff out biologically compatible species. But Maya’s talent comes with a hefty cosmetic price: half the time, she looks like a mountain lion.On a space station over the planet Elsajh, she’s mistaken for a local ... read more
The Customer Is Always Wrong
CC Standish
'90s grunge kid Conrad Jacoby is on the verge of graduating from Hiawatha High. Eager to leave the nest and his alcoholic Vietnam veteran father behind, Conrad joins the workforce where he tests his luck at minimum wage jobs in food service and retail, building his savings and his backbone with the goal of moving out. Although Conrad is determined, he quickly finds that his sheltered Minnesota... read more
Untethered: A Magic iPhone Anthology
Rhiannon Held, Manny Frishberg, Edd Vick, H.M. Jones, Kris Millering, Raven Oak, Jon Lasser, Sarina Dorie, Jonathon Burgess, Amanda Hackwith
20 stories of magic and technologyAlmost everyone carries a smartphone these days. They sit in pockets and on tables. They sleep on headboards and are the first things their owners check in the morning. They’ve edged out more mundane equipment like calendars and MP3 players.They aren’t magical, of course. Or are they?In Untethered: A Magic iPhone Anthology, 21 authors twist reality and call in... read more
What I Like About You
Marisa Kanter
“Heartwarming, endearing, and sure to leave you swooning, What I Like About You shines with authentic characters you will absolutely fall in love with. This story is as sweet as the cupcakes you’ll be craving by the end!” —Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times bestselling author Can a love triangle have only two people in it? Online, it can…but in the real world, its more complicated. In this ... read more
Rachel has 7 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I absolutely LOVE working with Rachel. I swear, she's so thorough and does a fantastic job with suggestions that keep the voice of my story. It's so obvious that Rachel has a passion for this--she's by far one of the best editors I've worked with. The comments I've received will only strengthen my story--I don't think I disagreed with a single one. I'm so excited to come back and collaborate in...
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Sarah Sutton, November 2020
She's an extremely helpful writer and evidently passionate about her craft. My YA novel wouldn't be half as good without her help. She was always punctual with feedback and messages in our conversation. I'd highly recommend her to anyone who is not only looking for criticism of their work but to take a lesson from a skilled teacher. Congrats on your debut novel and all of the best for your con...
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Zach Neuman, December 2019
Working with Rachel was a great experience all the way around. She communicated very well with deadlines and updates and her editing and feedback were extremely helpful. I highly recommend Rachel for developmental editing as she is able to give constructive criticism that gives the story new ideas without changing too much. I really appreciate Rachel's work!
Sarah Ammerman, October 2019
It was my first time working with a freelance editor, and it was the best experience I could've asked for. Rachel was so invested in my project, and the feedback was so detailed and helpful. Even checked in around the halfway point to reassure me that the edit would be done by the deadline, which I never really thought of as important until I sat by my computer, waiting for time to pass. It was...
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Sarah Sutton, October 2019
Rachel's keen eye was exactly what I needed to take my work to the next level. She has a way of seeing exactly what your story wants to be and pointing out what needs to be deepened or developed to get it there. Unlike some editors who may impose their own ideas on your story (take that mystery and turn it into a romance), Rachel is more about helping your story be what it wants to be.
In addi...
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Malulani Moreno, September 2019
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