Overview
My 36 award-winning children's books are published internationally in numerous languages, and in Braille, and have been produced as YTV animations. My published work includes non-fiction and fiction across a wide range of genres, including fantasy, historical, contemporary, and sci fi. To view my picture books, junior books, and YA novels, please visit my web site at or view my books on Amazon.com
I have a BA in English literature, a BA in sociology, and a Bachelor of education, and have been a writer in residence at a university college, a workshop leader, and a literary event host.
I am an experienced, detail-oriented freelance editor via my website (please visit it to read comments from satisfied clients), personal referrals, and online sites including Upwork. Since 1997, I have been a creative writing instructor at the Institute of Children's Literature (CT, USA.) During this teaching time, I have edited literally thousands of children's stories, articles, and novels for my adult students in preparation for submission to publishers. In addition, I edit book-length manuscripts targeted to adult readers.
Here's what you can expect from me:
• Structural edits on your manuscript using Track Changes for text markup and margin comments.
• Line edits on your manuscript.
• A detailed critique letter to accompany my editing, with clear, concise explanations of your story's strengths and weaknesses, and how to revise them.
• Replies to any questions you have about your story, or your revisions.
• A focus on making your writing age appropriate, with creating a strong plot, with pacing, and with character development.
• Prompt, courteous communication.
• Respect for your deadlines.
• The benefit of my very extensive experience in the publishing industry.
I have worked freelance for over 20 years and would love to help make your manuscript shine!
I have a BA in English literature, a BA in sociology, and a Bachelor of education, and have been a writer in residence at a university college, a workshop leader, and a literary event host.
I am an experienced, detail-oriented freelance editor via my website (please visit it to read comments from satisfied clients), personal referrals, and online sites including Upwork. Since 1997, I have been a creative writing instructor at the Institute of Children's Literature (CT, USA.) During this teaching time, I have edited literally thousands of children's stories, articles, and novels for my adult students in preparation for submission to publishers. In addition, I edit book-length manuscripts targeted to adult readers.
Here's what you can expect from me:
• Structural edits on your manuscript using Track Changes for text markup and margin comments.
• Line edits on your manuscript.
• A detailed critique letter to accompany my editing, with clear, concise explanations of your story's strengths and weaknesses, and how to revise them.
• Replies to any questions you have about your story, or your revisions.
• A focus on making your writing age appropriate, with creating a strong plot, with pacing, and with character development.
• Prompt, courteous communication.
• Respect for your deadlines.
• The benefit of my very extensive experience in the publishing industry.
I have worked freelance for over 20 years and would love to help make your manuscript shine!
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Literary Fiction
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Science Fiction
Young Adult
Languages
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Awards
- Blue Spruce Award, Ontario School Library Assoc. Recommended, Children's Book Of The Month Club; Finalist, Independent Publisher Book Awards; Honor Title, Storytelling World Awards; Honor Book, Society of School Librarians International; "Outstanding", Parent Council of America; Runner-up, Blue Spruce Award; Short listed, Geoffrey Bilson Historical Fiction Award; Nominated, Red Maple Award, Ontario Library Assoc.; Nominated, Red Cedar Award, B.C. Library Assoc.; “Best Books for Young Adults”, Library Journal; “Notable” Children’s Book Council of America; “Children’s Book of the Year”, Alberta Book Awards; Nominated, Torgi Awards, Canadian National Institute for the Blind; Nominated, Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award; Winner, Youth Jury Prize, Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Art and Culture; Nominated, Panda Award (International Schools) in China; “Notable”, National Council of Social Studies.
Certifications
- B.A. English literature, B.Ed.
Work experience
Upwork
Apr, 2014 —
Present
Assist writers with idea generation and plot development; provide structural and copy edits on manuscripts; provide detailed written critiques of manuscripts; review marketing materials.
Institute of Children's Literature
Apr, 1997 —
Present
Provide written critiques of plot outlines with suggestions for development. Provide structural edits, copy edits, and written critiques on finished manuscripts in preparation for submission to publishers. Work with writers as they revise. Provide feedback on marketing materials.
Freelance
Aug, 1990 —
Present
Multi-published and award-winning author with books available in numerous countries and languages. Write non-fiction, and fiction in a range of genres including sci fi, historical, contemporary, and fantasy. My work is available in Braille, and is produced as YTV shorts.
Portfolio
Join the hero Tom on a high-action adventure with terrible Beasts and deadly danger!Tom's bravery and fighting skills are tested to the limit in his next Beast Quest. Is he brave enough to continue with his most challenging Beast Quest yet? Or will Mirka the I... read more
Alexander Ross was a Canadian ornithologist, medical doctor and naturalist...and so much more. As a young man in Belleville, in the years before the American Civil War, Alexander was introduced in his parents’ home to slaves who had made their way to freedom t... read more
Set in Victorian times, this is the story of Tom, a boy terrified of the sea. When poverty forces his mother to move them to Penzance, Tom is confronted by his worst fear. But when a storm sweeps his uncle's fishing boat from its moorings, Tom's fear is pushed... read more
How do you turn a shrimp sandwich into a horse? Jeremiah the auctioneer discovers how when he learns that one person's junk is another's "wonderful junk". When his truck breaks down, Jeremiah embarks on a series of trades to get himself a horse. He trades his ... read more
The village is holding a special auction to save the local carousel. People are bidding on the old horses and taking responsibility for refurbishing them. Sarah knows money’s scarce, but her grandfather bids on Starflyer, the horse that his late wife enjoyed r... read more
Damson lives in the house her great-grandfather built. The orchard is graced by a beautiful plum tree, grown from a plum stone her great-grandmother had carried across the ocean. It was in this house that Damson was born, and it is here she intends to stay amo... read more
Alberta Children_s Book of the Year Alberta Book Illustration of the Year Can she find courage in her new big city home? Meg is new to the city with its tall buildings and long shadows. It_s nothing like her Caribbean home. Here, the city closes in on her and ... read more
In 2205, the world is in the grip of another Ice Age, the end result of a chain of environmental reactions to humankind's activities. The North is snowbound, impoverished and starved; the border between it and the South is heavily guarded. And somehow, Chandra... read more
It's September 1914. Ten-year-old tomboy Millie MacCallum has just learned that her father, like so many other Canadian men, will be leaving for England to join in the war effort. More bad news: her mother has enrolled her in a new school where she'll be expec... read more
Book by Harrison, Troon
Sonnet has been away travelling the world for so long that when she arrives back home she doesn't know any of her neighbours. Her attempts to make friends are pretty disastrous, as she's brought some eccentric habits home with her and people just don't know wh... read more
Because of global warming, nuclear energy is getting a second look. This important book discusses the benefits and drawbacks of this controversial, but clean and reliable, source of power. Case studies show how new technologies are helping make production of n... read more
In The Twilight Box, the second of the fantasy series, Tales of Terre, two teens, Ambro and Noleena, search for their identities and the forces, natural and magical, that will fight the sorcery that has divided and is close to destroying their land.Ambro's los... read more
“A skillfully crafted novel, very highly recommended for its creative magical world and tangible vivid descriptions.” —Midwest Book Review Long ago, a fierce sea dragon sank a ship that carried two Corno d’Oro—Golden Horns—and their Keeper. The creatures—with ... read more
When Stella imagined her trip to England, she pictured herself as a girl in the pages of a magazine – beach parties with cute boys, surfing off the coast, exploring ancient castles. Instead, she finds herself in a flat with her father’s weird girlfriend, Skye,... read more
When her beloved cat, Muffin, dies, five-year-old Sophie writes a letter to God asking, "Please bring Muffin back to life." On Christmas morning, Sophie discovers that God did answer her prayer in a surprising and wonderful way.
Amelia Otterchild Mackenzie has never seen a horse until the great red stallion Firefox rescues her from drowning. Soon her natural skill with horses becomes clear. Could this be the key that will lead motherless Amelia to her missing father, a legendary horse... read more
was trapped here in this square brick house. Trapped with Willy's threats, Matthew's roars, Kathleen's silences -- not because I couldn't run away again if I chose to, and not because I had no money, or because I was scared of being alone in the dark countrysi... read more
Aaron loves animals more than anything else in the world. But when he is diagnosed with allergies, the doctor tells him that his pets --- a dog, a cat, six kittens and six guinea pigs --- have got to go. After Aaron reluctantly finds each pet a new home, he di... read more
For girls who love the historical adventures of American Girl and the equestrian details of Canterwood Crest or Horse Diaries, this wonderful new series delivers both. In The Horse Road, we meet Kallisto, a superb equestrian living in central Asia. On her way ... read more
Book by Harrison, Troon
