Introduction to Children's Book Editing

with Paula Ayer

When: Four Tuesdays, October 13, 20, 27, and November 3, 2020, 7:30 to 9:00 pm

Where: All sessions are via Zoom

Children’s books are a resilient and growing part of the publishing industry, ranging from simple board books for babies and toddlers to complex and sophisticated fiction and non-fiction books for older children and teens. But how do you develop the skills needed to work as a children’s book editor? And how is editing for children different from editing for adults? This online workshop will address the basics of children’s publishing, how to get work as a children’s book editor, the different genres within children’s publishing, and special considerations when editing for each age group. Over four 90-minute sessions, we will cover:

• The children’s publishing landscape in Canada, including the different genres and formats within children’s publishing
• Editing picture books
• Editing chapter books and fiction for middle-grade readers
• Editing children’s non-fiction

Each session will include tips for building your experience and finding work as a children’s editor. Editors do not need any previous experience in publishing to attend this workshop. Each online session will include a short assignment or reading, with time for discussion and questions.

Paula Ayer is an editor at Greystone Books and previously worked for Annick Press, where she edited, developed, wrote, translated, and art directed a variety of children’s books, specializing in non-fiction for middle-grade readers and teens. She has authored or co-authored three award-winning children’s non-fiction books as well as a picture book.