Rebecca Hirsch – Editor

I'm an insightful editor and a cheerful advocate for writers. I love providing whatever help you need — from fleshing out an idea to polishing a manuscript — while staying true to your unique voice and your personal potential.

I'm new to Reedsy, but not to children's publishing. I've been a children's editor and writer for over 15 years, working with and for National Geographic Kids, Scholastic, Abrams, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, and many other traditional publishers. I earned multiple degrees in the sciences (BS from University of Massachusetts, PhD from University of Wisconsin), while studying art and design on the side.

Picture books are my passion — both fiction and nonfiction — but I have plenty of experience with other children's books, including easy readers, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult (teen) books. I particularly love working on anything with a nature, STEM, or environmental theme. My background in art and design gives me insight into how to craft writing so it can be paired with illustrations.

Some recent titles I've edited include THE OCEAN CALLS: A HAENYEO MERMAID STORY by Tina Cho and illustrated by Jess X. Snow, named a Kirkus Best Children's Book; WHEN A DRAGON MOVES IN AGAIN by Jodie Moore and illustrated by Howard McWilliam; and SOMETHING ROTTEN: A FRESH LOOK AT ROADKILL by Heather L. Montgomery, named an NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book.

I love working one-on-one with writers, and I'd be honored to help you, no matter where you are in your writing journey. If you work with me, I'll deliver feedback that's clear, good-humored, and practical. My goal is to show you how you can take your project to the next level, whether we're delving into big picture elements like theme or story structure, revising at the nitty-gritty level of words and sentences, or crafting a pitch or query letter. My mission is to help you find your voice, to honor your vision for your project, and to help you make your book be the best it can be.

Contact me today. I'd love to hear more about your story!

Testimonials:

"I'm thrilled to let you know that the very first publisher to whom I sent my manuscript just wrote and said they'd be delighted to publish it! Gonna open champagne with dinner tonight. Thank you SO much for your help with this story!" —Debra G., Author

"I worked on the revisions today. It’s a much better book today than it was yesterday. I really wish I’d had you critique it months ago." —Suzanne B., Author-Illustrator

"You gave me so much information and resources. I am pumped and can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and work on this book." —Beth S., Author-Illustrator