Picture Book Editor

"Polly is so encouraging. She caught my vision and reflected it back to me! She has been a light and an encouragement every step of the way! Polly helps and encourages me to present my best work! She's a visionary with positive energy!!!" ~ Leanne Litka

"Thank you Polly! Wow! It is beautiful" ~ Mary Ann Ordinario

"Wow, thank you so much . . . [your editor's letter] was incredibly helpful! I appreciate your detailed feedback, line notes, encouraging kind words, and the resource for constructing . . . I'm working hard with the next draft! How exciting!" ~ Picturebook Writer

I’ve been working as an independent editor and illustrator of children's books since 2018. With my undergraduate degree in art and MFA in writing for children, I am able to give you really helpful advice on creating a professional-quality children's book to send to agents, editors, or straight to the printer!

I'm an encouraging editor, and I will tell you all about the wonderful things in your story and share the best picture book practices that apply to your manuscript. You'll receive:

A page-turn chart with pacing and plot analysis
Illustration notes with any artwork submitted
Editorial notes by page and line
A plot and theme analysis
An editorial letter describing what your story is doing well and where it could be improved.
Optional one-on-one consult by phone or online.

To schedule a call to talk about your picture book and set up a consultation or email me your manuscript. Picture book manuscript edits are $250. For ghostwriting, please ask for a quote. Online samples here.

Character

The MC of a picture book must have more than a problem, they need passion, empowerment, and personalization from the author's experience. Specific little details can mean everything. I can help you decide what fits!

Theme

Picture books are mostly written in the third person and past tense and usually under 500 words. Theme is a way I guide authors to find nuances in their story to help make every moment matter.

pacing

Pacing can be tricky until you use my double page spread chart that heps you see the action in your story and how it relates to page turns and the kid satisfaction with your book.

Dialogue

Dialog can be some of the most important work in your picture book. Deciding which charactrers speak up and how to create a consistant voice is something I can help with.

I edit and design children's books to give a voice to the author sharing books with family, friends and school readings. My specialty is high-quality and creative design. Interested in book design or or publishing services?

Journey to Feedback:

$150 for developmental editing of up to one children's book manuscript and illustrations if included.

A page-turn chart with pacing and plot analysis
Illustration notes with any artwork submitted
Editorial notes by page and line
A plot and theme analysis
An editorial letter describing what your story is doing well and where it could be improved.
Optional one-on-one consult by phone or online.

Journey to Design:

$800 for the layout of a children's book

Free editorial feedback with purchase of design (save $150)
Author Bio edit
Book Summary or Jacket Copywriting
Artist Statement or Author Forward edit
**Cover Design ( hardback or removable jacket is an additional $200)
Legal and readable font design and copyright

Journey to Publishing:

$100 Publishing to Barnes and Noble with ISBN and barcode
$100 Publishing to Ingram Spark (additional book cover required) (means it will migrate or become available in places like Walmart and Barnes and Noble and Indie book store Websites also available for libraries and book stores to order from)
order your author copies at 50% MSRP with two-week delivery or take your design files and self-publish.

Journey to Digital:

$200 for a digital poetry book plus $25 for each distributor includes:

Publish to Ebook Kindle/ Paperwhite
Publish to Digital maximum includes:
Barnes and Noble/ Nook
Publish to Apple Books
Publish to Kobo/ Clara
Publish to Google Books/ Android

**I offered illustration services to select submissions at $400 per illustration.