Dr Sarah Stewart

Dr Sarah Stewart – Editor

Ex-Scholastic Commissioning Editor, proud to have worked on award-winning, best-selling children's and YA fiction. Usually hungry.

Overview

I'm a former Commissioning Editor with over 15 years' experience, always hungry for exciting new projects (and snacks). I also sift manuscripts and provide feedback for major UK literary agents. As an editor and editorial consultant, I've worked with Canongate, Curtis Brown, Faber & Faber, Scholastic Inc and Thames & Hudson, among others.

I love my work and feel lucky to be able to help bring authors' stories to life and into the marketplace. As a published children's author myself (I write the Elspeth Hart series as Sarah Forbes), I completely understand how nerve-wracking the editorial process can feel.

I'm always thoughtful and encouraging in my editorial work, and I strive to find creative solutions that respect each author's vision for their story.
Services
Fiction
Dystopian Humor & Comedy Literary Fiction Middle Grade Romance Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Young Adult
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (NZ) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • M.A. Hons
  • M.Litt
  • PhD

Work experience

Floris Books

Aug, 2013 — Aug, 2014 (about 1 year)

At Floris I acquired and edited The Nowhere Emporium (winner of the Blue Peter Best Story Award 2016, the Scottish Children's Book Award 2016, the North East Book Award 2015), Thorfinn The Nicest Viking (shortlisted for the Laugh Out Loud awards) and The Fourth Bonniest Baby in Dundee (shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize).

Self-employed

Aug, 2010 — Present

Offering sensitive editorial guidance and manuscript appraisal for both published and unpublished writers. We've helped many writers land agents and book deals through our supportive editorial feedback.

Self-employed

Aug, 2010 — Present

As an editor and editorial consultant, I've worked with Curtis Brown, Thames & Hudson, Canongate, Black and White and Faber & Faber.

Scholastic Children's Books

Feb, 2008 — Aug, 2010 (over 2 years)

At Scholastic I acquired the best-selling Tom Gates series by Liz Pichon (winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, the Red House Book Award, and the Waterstone's Prize, and now translated into 36 languages).

I was the UK editor on The Hunger Games and the Captain Underpants series, and edited Dan Freedman's Jamie Johnson series (now a CBBC TV show).

Portfolio

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

Liz Pichon

Tom Gates is the master of excuses for late homework: dog attacks - spilt water - lightning... Tom's exercise book is full of his doodles and thoughts, as well as comments from his long-suffering teacher, Mr Fullerman.
The Star in the Forest

Kellock, Helen

Jamie Johnson 2: Shoot to Win

Dan Freedman

Jamie Johnson can't believe his luck. He's playing for Kingfield School in the Cup semi-final, and scouts from his favourite club, Hawkstone United, are coming to watch! This is Jamie's big chance. He's determined to shoot to win! But there are some people who... read more
Calum's New Team

Danny Scott

'Ferguson picks up the ball inside the Scottish half and he's off. He skips round England's Dawes. . . nutmegs Bryan. . . shoots. . . and SCORES! Goal for Scotland in the 89th minute of this World Cup quarter-final! England are on their knees. Ferguson sends t... read more
Dancing to the End of Love

Adrian White

*** INTRODUCTORY OFFER PRICE ***It's the start of a stormy, passionate affair when internationally successful singer Siobhan McGovern turns up at the launch of Robert Lanaghan's latest book in Dublin. Though they both love the written word - and each other - t... read more
Sign of the Black Dagger

Joan Lingard

One day, Will and Lucy's dad just ... vanishes.They have no idea why he's disappeared until a creepy stranger reveals their dad was keeping a BIG secret. Then there's the second clue: an old diary they find hidden in the walls of their Royal Mile house, with a... read more
Elspeth Hart and the Magnificent Rescue

Sarah Forbes

Elspeth has escaped the clutches of the dastardly Miss Crabb and her sidekick Gladys Goulash, and now she's determined to find her parents. After the dim-witted Gladys let slip that they'd been sent to Australia, Elspeth sets off on their trail, with the help ... read more
Elspeth Hart and the Perilous Voyage

Sarah Forbes

Elspeth Hart and the Perilous Voyage is the second adventure featuring the fabulous Elspeth Hart, a modern heroine with doodles on her Converse trainers and unstoppable determination. Now she’s finally free of the School for Show-offs, Elspeth is on a desperat... read more
Elspeth Hart and the School for Show-offs

Sarah Forbes

Ever since her parents were tragically washed away in a flood, Elspeth Hart has been forced to live in the attic of the Pandora Pants School for Show-offs with her disgusting aunt, Miss Crabb. She spends her days helping out in the kitchen and dodging Tatiana ... read more
Blitz Next Door

Cathy Forde

Pete has never even heard of Clydebank in Scotland, but when his dad finds a new job at last, Pete finds himself leaving his home in London overnight. There are advantages to his new life, including a massive new bedroom and his first ever garden, complete wit... read more
Tom Gates 2: Excellent Excuses (And Other Good Stuff)

Liz Pichon

No school for two whole weeks! (Yeah!) I can concentrate on good stuff like: band practice for DOGZOMBIES (with my mate Derek). Watching TV and eating caramel wafers. Excellent. Unfortunately a couple of small problems called the dentist and my big weirdo sist... read more
Dragon's Green: Worldquake, Book 1

Scarlett Thomas

After the worldquake, magic is seeping into our world. Effie Truelove has made a promise to keep her grandfather's magical books safe from danger. Whatever it takes. But it's not always easy when you're a pupil at the Tusitala School for the Gifted, Troubled a... read more
Consumed

Kate Cann

The thrilling sequel to POSSESSED!Rayne's countryside escape has proven to be anything but -- the remote mansion house where she lives and works holds terrible secrets, and she feels trapped there. And when a new manager shows up, things take an even more sini... read more
Beneath

Gill Arbuthnott

Jess thought the old tales of dangerous creatures living beneath the water were just crazy stories, until her friend Freya was stolen. To rescue her Jess must capture one of them - a shapeshifter, a kelpie - but he's nothing like she imagined. Finn sees her in... read more
The Raspberry Rules

Karen McCombie

Rare Book
Tarzan: The Savage Lands

Andy Briggs

A TREACHEROUS LORDLord Greystoke has arrived at the logger's camp in the Congo, and will stop at nothing to find and eliminate his long-lost cousin, Tarzan.A CRAZED QUEENRobbie and Jane set out through the jungle to warn Tarzan, and find themselves trapped in ... read more
The Puzzle Ring by Forsyth, Kate (June 1, 2009) Paperback

Excellent Book
Jamie Johnson 1: The Kick Off

Dan Freedman

Jamie's heart was beating all through his body. Everything depended on him. He HAD to score... Soccer prodigy Jamie Johnson is desperate to become Highwood School's star football player (and, in his dreams, Hawkstone United's, too). But after he wrecks his cha... read more
Thorfinn and the Awful Invasion

David MacPhail

Prepare yourself for the wrath of the Norsemen! That is, if you don't mind and it's not too inconvenient... Everyone knows Vikings are ruthless barbarians whose idea of a good time involves pillaging, plundering and feasting. But Thorfinn isn't an ordinary Vik... read more
The Nowhere Emporium

Ross MacKenzie

When the mysterious Nowhere Emporium arrives in Glasgow, orphan Daniel Holmes stumbles upon it quite by accident. Before long, the 'shop from nowhere' -- and its owner, Mr Silver -- draw Daniel into a breathtaking world of magic and enchantment. Recruited as M... read more

Dr Sarah has 24 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

S G.

S G.

Apr, 2023

Pinned
Sarah has been incredibly helpful! Her notes and line by line commentary have been instructive and I am so grateful. If you want clear direction, feedback and someone who will really make an effort to coach you then I recommend Sarah. It has been a joy to work with you!!! Thank you!
Dr Sarah S.
Thank you so much for these lovely words!
Janet S.

Janet S.

Jan, 2021

Pinned
Dr. Sarah Stewart was wonderful to work with. She told me how the process would work. She was timely and her responses were kind, respectful, and informative. She was able to convey things I really needed to understand, but hadn’t yet figured out. Highly recommend. She was the perfect choice for me.
Dr Sarah S.
Janet, thanks for your lovely review! Such a pleasure working with you.
Ifor E.

Ifor E.

Jun, 2020

Pinned
Sarah was awesome. She provided me with a good breakdown on where my novel was working and some great advice on one thing in particular that needed to be reworked. My book is much improved as a result of following her advice. Communication was very professional and she was very supportive and open. Will be going back for more help with a query letter! Would definitely recommend Sarah to anyone...
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Dr Sarah S.
Thanks so much, Ifor! It was a real pleasure working with you.
Shirley G.

Shirley G.

Nov, 2023

Sarah is a warm and very approachable editor to work with. The notes she sent back to me were excellent and comprehensive. Dr Sarah responded to my questions quickly and gave explanations that helped me to understand how to strengthen and make my story effective. I now feel more confident to complete my work and to take the next step to approach an agent. It has been a rewarding learning...
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Dr Sarah S.
Thanks so much, Shirley!
Sam F.

Sam F.

Jan, 2023

I engaged Dr. Sarah for an editorial assessment asking for specific feedback on whether my middle grade manuscript read as derivative. Unfortunately the feedback received was superficial and frequently contradictory. Dr. Sarah offered very few concrete suggestions for improvement and no opportunity to ask follow up questions.
Dr Sarah S.
Hello Sam, and thanks for taking the time to give feedback. This is my first negative review in over 15 years of editing award-winning fiction, so I am glad to have the chance to respond! I would ...
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