Can you picture yourself as a published author for children and young adults? This isn’t an impossible dream.
Start small. Start with one story. Just start. When you do, two things will happen:
You’ll get experience
You’ll create opportunity and connections
Both will lead to things you can’t currently imagine.
As a writer and editor, I combine creativity, craft and guidance in my critiques and coaching. I know how to break down complex ideas so they’re easy to understand, and I offer empathetic feedback and practical solutions to problems. I’m a hands-on editor and coach who works with you to improve your manuscript so you can sow your story seeds and grow your career as an author for children and teenagers.
Developmental Editing
Whether you’ve written a picture book, chapter book, middle-grade or young adult novel, my process is the same.
I will:
Identify your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses
Analyse plot, character, pacing, theme, voice, and marketability
Suggest solutions
Give you guidance on the next steps to take when revising
I’ll also:
Help you build engaging characters, thrilling plots and fresh voices
Inspire rather than overwhelm you
Elevate your manuscript
Prepare your story for submission or publication
Editing includes:
An edit with feedback in the form of comments using Track Changes on your manuscript
A Zoom chat of one hour to discuss my edits and any questions you may have
A revision (only for picture books)
You can top up your critique with extra Zoom calls or another round of editing
If you’re submitting queries, pitches, stories, articles, poems or work-for-hire packets to agents, trade publishers, children’s magazines, contests or educational publishers, I can help you too. Please contact me for a custom fee based on the length and complexity of your project.
What holds a lot of writers back isn’t a lack of talent, it’s not knowing the way forward. Does this sound like you?
No one can know everything all of the time. You may have a few knowledge gaps. Or confidence blips. Who doesn’t?
Coaching for storytellers is designed to bridge those gaps, boost your confidence and guide you in the right direction so you can tackle and complete your writing dream or project with confidence.
Coaching is the right option if you…
Want to write a children’s book but don’t know where to start
Feel stuck at a certain point in your manuscript
Need guidance on the ins and outs of writing prose and poetry
Have questions about the publishing process or book marketing
Need information on writing for magazines or the educational market
Need to learn the basics of poetry
Are looking for some guidance and hand-holding
Want to have a chat about anything and everything
Need to share some doubts or worries
I will:
Listen, guide you and help you solve problems
Help you improve your skills
Give you professional advice on the art of storytelling
Teach you the rules of poetry for children
Give you practical advice on the next steps to take
Point you toward relevant resources
Make sure you have answers to all your questions
Be your cheerleader
Schedule-as-you-need
In coaching, packages are the norm. The idea is that they help you stay committed and hold you accountable. But I don’t believe that.
I believe that creativity needs freedom and flexibility. It needs space to breathe. This is why I offer schedule-as-you-need coaching. You can book one session—or many. If you get what you need after one session, yay you! If you want coaching twice a month for the next six months, yay you!
I want coaching with me to be the inspired action you take when you need it.
“After writing my first rhyming picture book, I asked an expert in rhyme and meter to recommend a freelance editor. She sent me to Lou whose suggestions and comments were spot-on. Apparently, a slush-pile reviewer thought so, too. The book, IF YOU WAKE A SKUNK, was released by Sleeping Bear Press in April 2023.Lou and I continue to work together, and I always benefit from her expert help.”
Carol Doeringer
“Lou is easy and interesting to work with. I feel like I’m a student taking a college course in picture book writing taught by the best professor you can imagine. Her comments are timely and gentle. I’ve learnt so much!”
Allen McCaulley
“Lou was professional throughout the whole process and her expertise helped to bring my book to life. She wasn’t afraid to give honest feedback, which is essential during the editing process, and her suggestions hugely improved my children’s book. I wholeheartedly recommend her services and I look forward to hopefully working with her on future books.”
Dr Paul McNamara
“Lou’s developmental and line edit for my children’s chapter book has been enlightening. I had a lot of work to do, but Lou showed patience and gave me guidance during the process. With the knowledge I have gained about my writing weaknesses, book two will be cleaner writing. I will use Lou to edit my whole book series!”
Donna Kohler
“Lou was professional and communicative in editing our children’s books. She has a natural desire to help writers, and her approach to correcting structural errors, grammar and punctuation is candid but polite.”
Joanne Jacovich, founder of WONDERCHUMS
“Lou is an absolute delight to work with. She was genuinely interested in my story and provided meticulous feedback on various aspects of my rhyming manuscript – structure, character arc, rhyme, rhythm, grammar and punctuation. If you are a children’s book author, look no further! I highly recommend her services.”
R.C. Chizhov
“Lou provides clear, in-depth guidance. She is clearly an expert in children’s book editing, knows the markets, and bonus for me: she specialises in language-learning materials for kids too. I’ll be working with Lou again, that’s for sure!”
Violet Stone
“In looking for an editor for my MG mystery and YA graphic novel, I read over 300 biographies. I kept coming back to Lou. Her qualifications are impeccable. Her commitment to clients runs deep. You’ll find her feedback is on point, thorough and conveyed with respect, sincerity, and encouragement. Lou is a true pro. You need look no further. Lou is who you want to work with!”
