Wendy McDonald

Wendy McDonald – Editor

Skilled developmental and copy editor specializing in middle grade and YA, especially the dark stories. Let's roll up our sleeves!

Overview

I’m an experienced writer and editor with a passion for stories of all types, but especially those for teens. My job is to help you craft your own story, your way—not turn it into someone else’s. We’ll work together to identify areas where your writing is already strong and where it needs some work or reimagining. I ask questions, identify trouble spots, and help you brainstorm potential solutions that fit your vision.

I have taught English at the middle school and high school levels, coaching students as they learn to read beneath the surface of a novel, as well as experiment with putting their own stories on the page. If you write for older kids, I can help you find opportunities for layering in all those metaphors and motifs that add the depth teens are so hungry for.

For the past 15 years, I’ve been an active member of writers’ critique groups and am well-versed in both receiving and giving editorial feedback. I have a clear understanding of plot structure and character development as well as the drafting and revision processes. I also have firsthand experience with the deeply personal nature of creating art with words. As an indie-published author, I’ve navigated all stages of the editorial process and value the importance of working with a skilled, responsive team of professionals. So I’m right there with you, drafting and revising my own stories and preparing them for publication. You can expect me to treat your work with the same dedication and care I do my own.

Are you looking for copy editing or proofreading? I’ve been editing others’ writing for over 30 years—even when it wasn’t an official part of my job. You can count on me to help you tighten and polish your writing until the only thing readers will notice is that they’ve lost track of time.

Let me help you move your project forward!

Services
Fiction
Cozy Mysteries Middle Grade Young Adult
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2023 — Present
I craft full-novel, Common-Core aligned curriculum units for use in middle school and high school classrooms. Units include: chapter-by-chapter assessment questions, writing prompts, character studies, explorations of literary terms, vocabulary guides, customized "further reading" lists, and a selection of culminating projects.

Self-employed

Jul, 2015 — Present
I have critiqued and edited manuscripts across multiple genres, primarily children's literature for independent, middle grade, and young adult readers but also including cozy mysteries and non-fiction. Editorial work has included developmental edits, line and copy editing, and proofreading.

Self-employed

Nov, 2021 — Dec, 2022 (about 1 year)
Under contract with Curriculum Associates, I wrote, edited, and produced educational content and lessons for a digital vocabulary program for middle school students. I also selected passages, identified broad topics, and outlined units for a digital reading comprehension program for middle school students reading below grade-level.

Self-employed

Oct, 2017 — Apr, 2018 (6 months)
Under contract with Heinemann Publishing, I reviewed and selected original stories for publication with an upper-elementary, guided reading program. I composed editorial letters outlining editorial team feedback regarding plot, characters, and themes, highlighting the manuscript's strengths and providing suggestions for solving issues. In addition, I formatted finalized stories for publication, providing illustrator notes as appropriate.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Match Made in Mehendi

Bajpai, Nandini

Little, Brown

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Secrets of a Fangirl

Dionne, Erin

Arthur A. Levine Books

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Lights, Camera, Disaster

Dionne, Erin

Arthur A. Levine Books

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Scavenger Night

Gregoire, Alicia

CheyLuck Press

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Any Way You Slice It (The Vernon High Chronicles Book 1)

Asselin, Kristine Carlson

Wicked Whale Publishing

Developmental Editing

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