Wesley Adams

Wesley Adams – Editor

Expert children's book editor backed by an award-winning career at an indie house and a Big Five publisher

Overview

Hello, friend. Over nearly four decades I have helped countless children's book creators achieve their publishing dreams, from acclaimed bestselling authors to debut writers discovered in the slush pile. I offer general editorial overviews, cosmetic touch-ups, developmental edits, and other services based on extensive experience in all phases of the publishing process. I specialize in children's picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade adventure and humor. I have also ghostwritten several spinoff titles in a bestselling picture-book series.

Working with me, you can expect constructive, thought-provoking feedback. I can help you accentuate your project's strengths, whether it's something you hope to self-publish or to submit to traditional agents and publishers. I can also help with personal projects you may be working on simply to develop your craft or to share with family and friends. In addition, I can provide critiques of query letters, pitches, and sample material based on years of reading thousands of submissions from agents and authors.

Questions about whether I might be able to help with your specific needs? Please feel free to get in touch.

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Middle Grade Picture Books
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Farrar Straus Girioux / Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

Jun, 1987 — Apr, 2026 (almost 39 years)
With nearly forty years in publishing at a top independent and a Big Five house, I have edited acclaimed literary and quality commercial fiction and nonfiction for young readers of all ages.

Portfolio

Sawyer Lee and the Quest to Just Stay Home

Weinersmith, Zach

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing
Dante N. Ferno: Camp Catastrophe

Gordon, Brian

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing
Sweet and Sour

Yanish, Brian

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing
Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel

Woodman-Maynard, K.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing
Reading the Bones: Homo Naledi and the Mysteries of Human Evolution

Aronson, Marc

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing
Leonard Grows a Haunted Garden (A Leonard the Ghost Book)

Ciccotello, Mike

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing
Chance: Escape from the Holocaust: Memories of a Refugee Childhood

Shulevitz, Uri

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing
Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood

Paulsen, Gary

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing
Sole Survivor

Ollestad, Norman

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Developmental Editing

Wesley has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Terry G.

Terry G.

Aug, 2026

Wesley Adams provided thoughtful, focused feedback that directly addressed my questions. His practical editing tips were extremely helpful and gave me valuable direction. I truly appreciated his insights, and the review was well worth it!

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