Sarah Evans – Editor

I began my career working in children's book publishing at Scholastic, with over three years in editorial, and have continued to hone my editorial and writing chops in the years since. These days I'm a writer in higher ed while freelancing on the side.

I've collaborated with experienced and new writers on YA and middle grade novels and chapter books, including serving as an assistant editor on New York Times bestselling series Wings of Fire and I Survived and on books by NYT bestselling authors like Meg Cabot, Jim Benton, and Aimee Friedman.

I love engaging with writers to bring out the story they most want to tell. Developing character and plot are two of my favorite aspects of editing. They're so intertwined: Characters' choices drive the plot, and the events of the plot drive their growth. Together we'll work through a character's motivations and think about the structure and series of events that will help that character to grow.

When we encounter challenges, my goal is to help you explore possible solutions and options and select the one that best serves you and your book. Generally I'll write an editorial letter that outlines what I love about your book and what opportunities for improvement I see. Depending on the project, I may offer comments in manuscript, and I'm also open to scheduling a call to talk through the letter in more detail.

I'd love to work with you on your MG or YA novels, especially contemporary or fantasy stories -- from friendship and family to fairy tales and dragons. I'm not a good fit for horror, or anything with violence or an unhappy (or rather, unhopeful!) ending.

Let me know how I can help you with your book!

Some recent reads and rereads: The Secret Country trilogy by Pamela Dean (a long-loved middle grade/YA favorite), The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch by Jacqueline Firkins (awesome adult contemporary romance), and currently reading At First Spite by Olivia Dade (whose novels that center on a Game of Thrones-esque TV show are a delight).