Editor
Best-selling children's authorKate Lee
Kate is the author of six books for children, including best-selling picture book ‘Santa’s Suit’. An experienced mentor, editor and coach, Kate’s style is warm, calm and supportive, encompassing practical strategies to help writers thrive, as well as developing their narrative skills.
Kate worked with award-winning children’s author Swapna Haddow early in her career (and now of Dave Pigeon fame!). With Kate’s support, writers have been longlisted in the Mslexia Children and YA Novel Competition and successfully self-published picture books, a creative non-fiction wellness guide for children and a popular dog-inspired chapter book series.
Kate has a special interest in maps in children’s books – the focus of her PhD in Creative Writing. Her ‘history with a twist’ Middle Grade novel was shortlisted in the Wells Festival of Literature.
Kate has given talks in the UK and USA. She reviews children’s books as a volunteer for IBBY and is involved in their work selecting internationally published children’s books, including work in translation, for awards.
Passionate about making reading fun, Kate has published articles in the ‘Times Educational Supplement’ and early years magazines. You can find out more about her writing life on the ‘Writing Around the Kids’ podcast.
Kate's specialties
Why we love Kate
Kate has an incredible knowledge of the children’s books market, and her experience as a mentor means she is able to support writers at all stages of their journey.
As an editor, Kate helps writers find the heart of their story, and has a great knowledge of how pace, tension, characterisation, POV, and world-building work in children’s books.
What Kate says about editing
As a mentor, editor and writing coach, I see my role as that of creative partner – offering kind, honest observations and comments on your manuscript, along with skilled guidance to help you develop as a writer.
I’m passionate about supporting writers get to grips with ‘narrative building blocks’. Together we’ll explore aspects such as pace, tension, world-building, logic, point of view, your cast of characters and, of course, their motivation. A clear pair of eyes, plus a relationship of trust, can be a huge help in developing a strong and satisfying book for children. I especially enjoy helping writers find the true heart of their story, whether that’s a timeless emotional truth or a fun discovery for little ones.
I can also advise on publishing practicalities, such as the ideal picture book word count, pros and cons of writing in rhyme and chapter lengths for Middle Grade novels. Plus writing a synopsis, crafting a pitch, researching agents and submitting your work when it’s ready to share – and shine!
I also provide feedback on books for adult readers in historical fiction, contemporary humour, family epics, literary fiction, and anything that crosses over into nature writing.
I wouldn’t be the right fit for violence or cruelty/abuse themes.
What Kate works on
By purchasing any of these products, you'll have the opportunity to express your interest in working with Kate.
Manuscript Assessment
Developmental Editing
Agent Submission Pack assessment
Post-editorial guidance
Opening Section Review
Mentoring
