My Dear Readers … 

I’m celebrating my 30th year editing books for young readers by giving away a free edit. My publishing journey began in November 1995. On my first day, a fellow editorial assistant leaned in and whispered excitedly, “We have this really cool thing called email.” I spent 10 years in-house at Harcourt Children’s books, and (so far) 20 years freelance editing picture books, chapters books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and New Adult books, and even some books for adults. 10 – 20 – 30 years … I like those round numbers. During them, I’ve worked with veteran and debut writers on bestsellers and award-winners across genres. Three decades of variety amidst specialty. My work gives me such joy.

I’ve been through the industry’s ups and downs. The explosion of blockbuster YAs, the meteoric rise of middle grade, the downswing then upswing of picture books. The ebooks-triggered “Death of Books” phase, the 2008 recession, the pandemic, the current Middle Grade challenge. The emergence of graphic novels and hybrid, highly illustrated books for young readers. Hello, BookTok. I know we’re staring down AI, and there’s compression in the children’s book industry and various headwinds, but I am still ALL IN — for the hard and the joyous.

One of the best things I did was create DearEditor.com 15 years ago, shortly before the publication of my book WRITING YOUNG ADULT FICTION FOR DUMMIES. That began my dialogue with you all, which I consider to be the candles on my cake.

Today, I celebrate my big Editing 30 by putting out creative energy. I’m giving away a free edit of a picture book manuscript (up to 900 words) or the first 20 pages of a Middle Grade, Young Adult, New Adult, chapter book, or graphic novel (text only) manuscript. Please enter using this RafflePress box below by April 21, 2026 (read the Giveaway Rules & Terms in the box) and consider sharing the fun on your social media. The more at this party, the merrier!

Huzzah!
The Editor

The Editor, Deborah Halverson, has been editing books for thirty years and specializes in picture books, Middle Grade/Young Adult fiction and nonfiction, and New Adult fiction. For her editorial guidance in making your manuscript ready for submission to agents and publishers or for self-publishing, click Editorial services. Learn more in her books: Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies and Writing New Adult Fiction