Picture Book Services

Young child reaches up to pull a green book from a library shelf, touching their mouth in contemplation.

How hard could writing a picture book be? It's so short!
(Ever heard that one before?)

Meanwhile, you’re . . .

  • overthinking every word. Should you rhyme? Does your opening sentence have a good read-aloud rhythm? Is 750 words too long?
  • balancing TWO audiences. You want to wow young readers, of course, but the adults in their lives are the ones who buy them books.
  • trying to figure out how to make your story robust enough to shine all the more through illustrations . . . yet somehow still compact enough to fit onto about 32 pages.

If you’ve revised your “so short” manuscript more times than you can count and it still doesn’t feel right, you’re not alone. You’re working hard—but to move forward with purpose, you need clarity and direction. 

This is where I can help.

Hi, I'm Laura!

I’m an editor who specializes in Kidlit. I work with authors to find (and fix!) where their story is falling short—but more importantly, I help them lean into what makes it truly special.

To me, the editing process is NOT about rewriting everything. It’s about drawing closer to the heart of your story that’s already there, just waiting to shine . . . just waiting to offer entertainment, comfort, education, and hope to a kid who needs it most.

This is one of the many reasons I’m a Kidlit specialist, and picture books are my primary expertise. If you’d like my help in your editing process, you have options.

Read more about me

Full editorial support—from big-picture revisions to that glorious final draft!

Picture Book Package

Starting at $375*

  • Developmental Edits

    We'll start with one round of substantive editing focused on the content, structure, and characters of your story. All edit suggestions will be shared in Word Track Changes and in a separate editorial letter.
    After you review the edit suggestions, we'll discuss any questions you have about them over one 40-minute Zoom call. Once you implement the revisions, we'll move on to the next stage of edits.

  • Copy/Line Edits

    After developmental edits, I’ll begin a combined round of copy and line edits focusing on elements like grammar and style, sentence flow and structure, clarity, consistency in voice and tone, and word choice.
    If you’re writing a rhyming picture book, this is when I’ll dive deep into your rhymes and meter, helping you make the rhythm of your story flow smoothly and the rhymes true and fresh.
    You can email me any questions you have as you implement these edit suggestions into your writing. When you have finished revising, we’ll move on to your final stage of edits. 

  • Proofreading

    In this final stage of edits, we’ll be double-checking all of the details, details, details—including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency in formatting. All revision suggestions will be notated in Word Track Changes.

    LIMITED-TIME OFFER: With the purchase of a Picture Book Package, receive an extra round of proofreading FREE OF CHARGE (to be completed after the final step in your editing package.) Many self-publishing clients like to save this final look until the very end of their book-creation process, when their illustrations, front and back covers, back matter, and title and copyright pages are finished and formatted. (You’d be amazed at how many random errors sneak in!)

Price: starting at $375*

* Each editing project receives a customized proposal after the manuscript has been reviewed. Please refer to the median ranges of the Editorial Freelancers Association’s rate chart for a general idea.

Individual Services

for an editing experience as unique as your story

When it comes to a project this important, sometimes a typical package deal just won't cut it. That could be for a lot of different reasons. Perhaps . . .
  • It’s easier for you financially to pay for editing stages one at a time.
  • Your book has already been thoroughly edited, but you’d like one more set of eyes.
  • You’re hoping to consult with multiple editors and would rather hire me for only one stage of editing.
  • The editorial package is fine, but you’d like extra help as well—editing ideas for your Kickstarter campaign or Amazon description, an extra video call, or even help with your website text.
Whatever your reasons, you have many options here to find the support you need most.
A stuffed dog resting atop a stack of books on a brown wicker chair.

“Laura is a gifted editor. She caught mistakes in my manuscript that had been overlooked by my previous editor. I have much gratitude for her attention to detail and expertise.”

Karen Weiss

Multidisciplinary artist
Author & Illustrator of Firefly Lullaby

Your picture book deserves to shine, and you deserve some help in making that happen.

Let's get to work!

If you’d like to make my day and tell me about what you’ve been writing lately, fill out my contact form via the blue button below. (This will NOT sign you up for any email lists, by the way!)

After I read your response, I’ll reach out to you by email to ask you a few more questions, and you’ll have the option to discuss service options for your book—either by email or over a 20–30-minute videochat with me. Either option is free of charge!

Tell me about your bookCheck out other services I offer

“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’Tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

- Mark Twain