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:

• More than 30 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.
• For seven years, I worked as a Mentor in the Children's Literature Fellow program at Stony Brook University. This role allowed 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 16 original children's books published by Scholastic, HarperCollins, Henry Holt, Simon & Schuster, Clarion, 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.

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MENU OF EDITORIAL SERVICES

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Developmental Editing*
​(includes Editorial Assessment, if requested)

If you select this service, I would:
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• Write a thorough, multi-page 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. 
• Explain the pacing of a typical picture book and how you might harness this to enhance your own storytelling.
• (If you’ve chosen to write in verse) Provide a short tutorial showing how you can dissect and then reconstruct your verse for better results. (Fair warning: this is tough writing work!) I will break down my thoughts about rhythm and rhyme, using both a master text and specific examples from your text. 
• ​Offer an Editorial Assessment if requested. I'll provide some general context and advice about self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, as well as a sense of the current children’s book market. I will explain how and why you might research competition as you pursue this project. I will provide a number of resources that you might find useful, no matter which publishing path you decide to pursue.​

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*Included in a round of Developmental Editing is an (optional) opportunity to follow-up with me regarding clarification of any unclear or outstanding questions via email or via a 20-minute Zoom or phone call.
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Copyediting*

If you select this service, I would:
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• 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.

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*Included in a round of Copyediting is an (optional) opportunity to follow-up with me regarding clarification of any unclear or outstanding questions via email or via a 20-minute Zoom or phone call.
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​Proofreading

If you select this service, I would:
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• 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). ​​

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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. 
-Look to correct all grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
-Work with you until we agree the letter is ready for submission
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​A great query letter is your chance to make a first impression and convince an agent or publisher to read your story.    ​
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60-minute Video Chat Consultation 

If you select this service, you would:
-Let me know your preferred platform (Zoom, Google Chat, Skype, phone, etc.)
-Share 1 or 2 picture book manuscripts or ideas (and sketches, if appropriate) in advance

I  would:
Let you set the agenda via our email exchange. You might choose from any of the following (or have different needs entirely): 
     -a short industry overview  (including the important differences between the
      two paths of publishing: traditional vs. self-publishing)
      -answers to your questions about the ins and outs of the industry
      -project-specific feedback and thoughts about where you might go from here 
      -send you a link for our meeting
​      -possibly refer to you follow-up resources after our meeting concludes

NOTE: I am not able to recommend specific agents or publishers. Our discussion would be more broadly informative about the industry and the picture book genre.

Testimonials

"Thank you for your exquisite feedback and industry insight. You helped me to see the possibilities in the big picture and in the details. I also appreciate your frankness over what you think didn't work." —Lauren Gould, author of HOPING FOR YOU

"It’s so scary for someone like me, a nobody with zero training in writing a book, to put themself out there. YOU have given me confidence in myself!" 
—Connie Thornell, author of the Touring with Tinzie Jo and Brindley series: From Rust to Radiant (Book 1) and A Centennial Birthday (Book 2) 

"Amy was a fantastic editor to work with. We edited three picture books in a short amount of time and had a lot of fun finishing those projects. Because she also publishes and ghost writes children's books, I found it easy to bounce ideas off of her, incorporating her own suggestions, and articulating the changes to the story in the most kid-friendly manner."
      --Alan Matkovic, author, most recently of THE LONELY CLOUD in the Amazing Adventures of Alexander and Sophia series

"Amy did an outstanding job editing and proofreading my story. My book was written in rhyme, and she was so helpful in making sure the rhymes flowed perfectly. Amy was very quick to answer any questions. She is professional, friendly and an expert at what she does."
     —Margrit Strohmaier, author of WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GET YOUR DOG, winner of the American Book Fest 2021 Best Book Award (picture book nonfiction) 

"Amy was great to work with. She provided insightful feedback and suggestions to improve my work without changing my voice or the message of the story. Her turnaround time was excellent and I felt that she gave my book a thorough evaluation before providing feedback. I was pleased with her work and highly recommend her editorial services."
      --G.A. Sealy, Award-winning author of the I LOVE ME and the YOUNG SCIENTIST series

​"All I can say is wow! Your edits have really elevated my story. Thank you so much for all your help, Amy. I could not have done it without you."     —Rita Sullivan, author of I LOVE MY . . . DOG?!

"Amy has been fantastic to work with on our book and BEYOND helpful as our editor. She wasn't afraid to tell us what we needed to hear, not what we wanted to hear.  
      As a result of working with Amy, our story went from just a dream to a full-fledged published book, worthy of being on store and library shelves everywhere! With reasonable timelines, she made the whole process smooth and easy.   
     We can't recommend her enough, and we would hire her again in the future."  —Lou & Tami Santini, co-authors of GET UP AND GO, GINGERBREAD JOE!

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.
       --Diana Aleksandrova, author of SPECIAL MONSTERS COLLECTION, a picture book series about not-so-scary monsters, and the humorous chapter book series, DINO TROUBLE 

"Amy was literally an answer to a prayer. She takes deep interest in each of her clients' projects and sincerely wants everyone to be successful. She helped me to organize my thoughts and develop a great storyline that expressed my message in a clear and creative new way. She had me so inspired I actually wrote 2 books!!!" — Julie Priess, Author of ANGELS ADORE YOU and (soon) HUCKLEBERRY AND HENRY

​"I absolutely love your version of my query letter. Wow!"      —Mary Jo Magnasco, author of BE THE VIOLIN

Amy went far and beyond what I hoped for when I requested her copy-editing and proofreading services. As a result my story got a stronger opening, more natural working and better rhymes. As for the proofreading part—I had no clue how badly my text needed Amy's help. I am very happy with the results, and hope to work with Amy on my next picture book project."      —Yakov Varganov, author of CAT AND COD

"As an aspiring picture book author, I have gained much needed support and guidance from Amy. It is daunting to work towards your first published book. Rejection can be discouraging. However, Amy always provided encouragement with honesty and hope to move me forward. She has helped me sharpen my writing skills and develop my own personal voice in the process for which I will always be grateful."
--Irene Hope Gazza, Author of MAISIE AND MO: A Moose Story

​"Bob and I gained much from our hour-long Zoom meeting and so much to think about. We are enthused about moving forward and just wished we had spoken to you a year ago." 
--Maggie Yates and Bob Buckenmayer, author-illustrator collaborators

​"Amy did two rounds of edits for my picture book. First, she guided me in developing my story arc. Then once I revised, she helped me with copy editing. She was wonderful to work with!"
     --Hilary Mungle, author of DIZZY V AND THE CCC 

"Amy can see the big picture and flow of a story—the structure, heart, theme, and characters. At the same time, she has the precision to dissect grammatical or poetic details and nuances. She gave me a lot to think as I revised my story. The writing process can be exhausting, but she was encouraging with action-able suggestions. I feel so much better knowing that my story went through top quality editing!" --Joy Yi, author of THE LAUGHING JAR

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.