Hi! I'm Laura,
and I'm so glad you're here!
I'm a developmental editor, copyeditor, and proofreader who specializes in Kidlit.
With me on your team, you'll have . . .
A skilled professional
I’m a graduate of the UC San Diego copyediting certificate program and an active member of several professional editorial organizations. To keep my skills sharp and my market knowledge current, I study craft books and children’s books of all categories and attend webinars on a regular basis. I edit all projects with signed service agreements, contracts, and nondisclosure agreements in place so you can feel confident that your expectations will be met—and that your work will be safe with me.
A lifelong lover of story
Almost as soon as I could write sentences, I was writing stories to share with my first grade class. At age 9, I typed up my first novel about the misadventures of my cat, Bagheera. In middle school, I loved talking with authors about their publishing experiences; in high school, I spent many after-school hours editing a literary magazine. My work today is a culmination of all the things I’ve always loved about writing and publishing, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
A longtime musician
At 11, I fell in love with the violin and the magic of music—a passion that infuses my editing process today. My background as a former orchestra director guides my work in helping authors master rhyme and meter and sculpt sentences with musical fluidity.
A mom
My 4-year-old son keeps me on my toes and maxes out my library card every week! He constantly shows me just what a difference a good book (but really, MANY good books) can make in a kid's life, and this breathes life into my mission as an editor.
A military spouse
My husband serves in the US Air Force, and this has shaped my professional and personal life in countless ways. Moving every 1–3 years can be difficult, but I like to think life as a human tumbleweed has given me greater flexibility, open-mindedness, and communication skills—not to mention some truly amazing friends all over the world.
A teacher at heart
My favorite part of being an editor is cheering my clients on. I’m not here to just nitpick the details! I want to help you lean into your own strengths—into what makes your book most engaging. And most of all, the teacher heart in me wants you to feel encouraged and come away from your revision process with lessons that will feed your writing career for years to come.
As an editor, I believe . . .
- Quality matters. Even if you plan to self-publish, an important part of my job is helping your book read as though it could have been championed by one of the “Big 5” publishing houses.
- This is your book, not mine (even if I love and support it wholeheartedly!) You deserve to have your unique authorial voice preserved and respected in this process and shouldn’t feel pressured to implement edits that don’t align with your creative vision.
- You deserve to see a return on your investment in editorial services, including positive feedback from literary agents or readers, greater confidence and satisfaction in your revisions, and fresh insights about the writing process that will benefit even your future books. Are any of these something I can guarantee? Absolutely not, but these are the results I strive for.
You deserve support in helping your book fit into the competitive Kidlit market, appeal to readers, and be the very best it can be.
"I was seeking a book editor and contributor for my first children's book. Our kids are older, and I haven't had much exposure to children's literature or book formats. My first meeting with Laura immediately made me comfortable. Throughout the revision process, Laura helped me focus on my book’s message, as well as the role and agency of some of the characters. I highly recommend Laura for her knowledge of the editing steps and process. Laura was prompt, professional, and knowledgeable. All along the way, she helped me feel confident that we were on the right track."
Michel Delifer
author of Justin the Butterfly and the Healing Tree
Where do we go from here?
Well, enough about me.
I’d love it if you could tell me about what you’ve been working on lately. No pressure—it’s just a contact form I’ll receive in my email inbox! Filling out the form will NOT sign you up for an email list.
After I read your response, I’ll reach out to you by email to ask a few more questions, and you’ll have the option to discuss service options for your project either by email or over a 20–30-minute Zoom meeting with me—with either option free of charge.
(Like I said . . . no pressure! You certainly won’t be forced into a video call if you’d just rather not!)
“I love revisions. Where else in life can spilled milk be transformed into ice cream?”