I am a former senior editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers with over fifteen years of experience editing acclaimed and bestselling books for children and young adults. I have edited more than 200 titles across a variety of genres, from picture books and poetry collections to middle grade and young adult novels, and I bring this depth of experience and industry knowledge to every project.
Whether you are writing your first book or your fiftieth, if you choose to work with me you can expect: sincere respect for your creative vision; a thoughtful assessment of your work from an experienced editorial eye; and clear, actionable feedback to guide your next revision. I am honored that a majority of authors who’ve worked with me have chosen to work with me again.
I love collaborating with authors, helping to identify a work’s strengths and weaknesses, and ensuring that their vision is shining through from start to finish. Please visit my portfolio to see some of the books I’ve edited; read testimonials from authors, publishers, and agents I’ve worked with; learn more about the editorial services I offer authors, agents, and publishers; and contact me at julie@juliescheina.com if you are interested in working together. I also have a free resource for writers, Your Editor Friend, with writing guidance, revision advice, and encouragement. I’d love for you to check it out!
Authors who have worked with me have called me “the very best kind of editor” (Suzanne Selfors), “my most valued editorial partner” (Margaret Stohl), “a fantastic resource of editorial wisdom for a first time novelist” (Kaia Moritz), and “everything I could have hoped for in an editor. . . her gentle guidance has made me actually love the revision process, something I have never experienced before” (Cheryl Renee Herbsman).
Books that I have edited have spent more than 125 combined weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and include the #1 New York Times bestselling Beautiful Creatures novels by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl; The Lucy Variations by National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr; Iron Hearted Violet by Newbery Medal winner Kelly Barnhill; the Imaginary Veterinary series by Suzanne Selfors, illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Dan Santat; Lambda Literary Award finalist I Am J by Cris Beam; and New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Red Knit Cap Girl by Naoko Stoop. Other clients include Bloomsbury Children’s Books (an imprint of Macmillan), Greenwillow Books (an imprint of HarperCollins), the Gernert Company, Writers House, and the Greenhouse Literary Agency.
More about me: Growing up in Virginia gave me a passion for fried pickles, air conditioning, and narratives with rural settings. I am drawn to stories that are fresh and unique, whether in premise, art style, voice, setting, or mythology. My interests include realistic fiction, historical fiction, mystery, adventure, science fiction, and fantasy. I love meeting characters whose voices leap off the page, books in which the setting becomes a character in itself, and stories that take a standard genre or trope and turn it into something completely unexpected.
Prior to my career in publishing, I interned at The Spectator magazine in London, England; ran summer literacy programs for K–6th graders; and routinely checked out the maximum number of books that my local library allowed.