Picture Book Editing Services

Take your picture book manuscript to the next level.
Are you looking for editorial feedback on your idea or manuscript?
Do you want to polish your story before you self-publish or submit to agents?
Are you writing in verse and want to make sure your words sing?
You've come to the right place. I'd love to work with you!
I excel at developmental and big picture editing, as well as close-up line editing and proofreading. I have a knack for verse. I'm experienced and reliable, and I deliver on time.
My credentials:
CONFESSION: My favorite genre to edit is picture books and poetry for children. This is exclusively how I choose to spend my editing time. If you've written a novel or chapter book, I wish you well, but we're not a good editorial match. I'm a picture book specialist.
Don't be shy! I'd be happy to discuss your project. Estimates are free. All questions are worth asking. I look forward to helping you take your work to the next level. For additional testimonials, check out my editing page on the Reedsy platform.
Are you looking for editorial feedback on your idea or manuscript?
Do you want to polish your story before you self-publish or submit to agents?
Are you writing in verse and want to make sure your words sing?
You've come to the right place. I'd love to work with you!
I excel at developmental and big picture editing, as well as close-up line editing and proofreading. I have a knack for verse. I'm experienced and reliable, and I deliver on time.
My credentials:
- More than 25 years of publishing experience both as an author and an editor
- Editing: I began my career as an editor at HarperCollins Children's Books, where I edited picture books, chapter books, and middle grade novels and where I oversaw series such as MathStart and Let's-Read-and-Find Out Science. Next I worked for Studio Goodwin Sturges, a boutique agency representing children's book illustrators. I have edited dozens of published children's books ranging from board books to middle grade novels. In the past year alone I've worked with more than 75 aspiring authors on their picture book manuscripts.
- Since 2013, I've worked as a Mentor in the Children's Literature Fellow program at Stony Brook University. This role allows me to work with brand-new and developing picture book writers over the course of a semester. For me, helping writers learn and hone their craft is satisfying and inspiring work.
- Writing: I'm the author of 15 original children's books published by Scholastic, HarperCollins, Henry Holt, Clarion, Quarto, and Little, Brown. They include picture books (fiction and nonfiction), board books, beginning readers, and poetry collections. Additionally, I have published more than 50 children's books as a ghostwriter or under my pen name, Amy Edgar, for companies such as Disney, HarperCollins, Scholastic, Little Brown, Random House, and a handful of educational publishers.
CONFESSION: My favorite genre to edit is picture books and poetry for children. This is exclusively how I choose to spend my editing time. If you've written a novel or chapter book, I wish you well, but we're not a good editorial match. I'm a picture book specialist.
Don't be shy! I'd be happy to discuss your project. Estimates are free. All questions are worth asking. I look forward to helping you take your work to the next level. For additional testimonials, check out my editing page on the Reedsy platform.
MENU OF EDITORIAL SERVICES
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Developmental EditingIf you select this service, I would:
-Write a thorough editorial letter that provides in-depth feedback concerning elements such as plot, concept, characterization, structure, consistency, and style. -Evaluate your story arc: Is there a strong beginning, middle, and end with a compelling climax? I would use excerpts from your story to show you what I think does and doesn’t work. -Assess your story generally and share my ideas for how you might revise. -If you’ve chosen to write in verse, I'll share my general tips for incorporating rhythm and rhyme, using specific examples from your text. CopyeditingIf you select this service, I would:
-Give your entire text an up-close, redline edit. I would review each line. -Look for ways to help you improve voice, consistency, and word choice. During this stage, I ask myself questions, such as: Could a better word be used here? Could this be said in a simpler or more compelling way? -Provide suggestions that you could adopt or reject or use as inspiration for thinking of a new solution. -If you have chosen to write in verse, I would pay close editing attention to the rhythm and rhyme of each line, pointing out areas that could use improvement and making suggestions. ProofreadingIf you select this service, I would:
-Look to correct all grammar, spelling, and punctuation. (I'm a grammar nerd, so this is fun for me!) -Make sure your story is ready to be designed for publication (if self-publishing) or submission (to an agent). Query Letter Review
If you select this service, I would:
-Review and tweak the cover letter that you have drafted (I'd be happy to share a tutorial link to get you started,). -Take what you’ve written and reorganize or polish it to make it sound as professional and engaging as possible. A great query letter is your chance to make a first impression and convince an agent or publisher to read your story. |
Testimonials"I've worked with many editors and every time something was still missing. I feel lucky to have found Amy, She helps me through the developmental stage, line by line edits, and the final proofreading. What I value most, is that she not only points out the problem in my stories but has a creative solution for it too. Working with an editor who compliments me is essential for the success of my work. |
To request a quote for me to edit your book, please fill out this form. If you are unsure about which service(s) to select, I would be happy to assess your manuscript and make a suggestion.