Hi, friends! Just sharing that I have now officially reopened to freelance editing projects. I offer manuscript evaluations, developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for a range of middle grade, YA, and romance projects.

My brother: Happy Birthday! You’re now old enough to run for president! Me: Oh dear GOD. Hello, 35. 👋

Tomorrow's my birthday and: - My toddler caught the flu yesterday - My husband is now getting really sick - I might have to pick up the birthday treat he was going to surprise me with 🤣 Honestly? It's OK. Thankful for him and my little one, and at least I'm starting 35 on brand!

In case you're interested, here is my (short, but hopeful) year in review: open.substack.com/pub/jamiesev...

Despite everything I navigate on a daily basis, I always need to remember that I married a guy who adds things like this to our shared family calendar. He literally tracks milestones in days for so many important things in our lives (and now that includes our daughter too). 🥹

I just walked away from my dream job. It really was my dream job, and I mean it. It checked every possible box I could have imagined: working in children’s book publishing, copyediting and proofreading amazing books, managing titles and schedules, and a very short commute to the Atlanta office.

I had a special moment tonight. My parents have been through a lot recently. They finally made time to renovate the kitchen and basement in their house of 40+ years. We’re in town for Thanksgiving and helping put things back. One of those things is my dad’s 50-year-old ping-pong table.

I am always happy to talk with folks looking to break into publishing, whenever I can. My career counselor from undergrad has me listed as a key contact. But it kinda hurts when someone emails me questions and I spend over an hour answering, and then never hear from them again.

Seeing this in one of the categories of the Free in Kindle Store is just making me 🥹

It's true that my main focus (and love) is writing for young readers. But I also write for the adult space! And I'm pleased to share that my collection of short stories (which received a starred review from Kirkus) is free for a short time! www.amazon.com/Unbroken-Col...

Please don't settle for anything less than a partner who will offer to carve your Halloween pumpkin for you because you're just too tired to do it—after he's already carved your daughter's AND his. 🧡🎃🖤

I just figured out my costume for the company Halloween party...and I'm quite excited. 👀

Sunday night I had Word read my MG revision back to me with the voice feature, thinking it would help me review it fresh. I put on headphones, lay down, listened to a couple chapters, and when I opened my eyes…it was 5am. Welp, not sure what that says about me OR my writing! 😂

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, but parting ways with your agent truly feels like an actual breakup. You ask yourself what you did wrong, what you could have done differently or better. I avoid my previous agent’s social media posts. It just hurts. Even if it wasn’t the right fit.

Me: Finishing out revisions on one of my middle grades because I refuse to give up on this age category and it's so important to keep these books going. Also me: Thinking about an older speculative YA manuscript I've revised multiple times. Worth revisiting? The pain of decisions...

My husband and I are taking a trip to Europe next fall, and he is letting me plan it because he's planned literally every trip we've ever taken... ...and omg, the sheer willpower it is taking me to not just turn this into a literary tour of England, you guys.

I was officially diagnosed with ADHD this week, and all I can say is...even though it's a late diagnosis (I'm 34), I'm glad I'm finally getting some answers now.

My parents are cleaning out their basement, which is full of 40 years of stuff, so they can finally redo it. My mom has been sending me pictures of my old things that she's been finding, stories I wrote, pictures I drew. Anyways, look what I’m going to be hanging in my office at work.

BAND NERD x ALL THE ANSWERS When Ellie discovers her grandma's piano has magical notes that answer her questions, she finds hope: to get her dad a job and win a showcase so she can still study music. But when the magic goes awry, Ellie must win on her own, or lose what she loves. #QuestPit #MG #Q

After parting with my agent on good terms, I’m optimistic about querying the next book we had been working on together. If you’re interested in repping a MG with: *A magical piano *A huge arts competition *Parents dealing with job loss *Supportive siblings & friends …let me know. 💛 #amquerying

I have not-great news. I am headed back to the querying trenches. It makes me sad for me, of course, but also for the state of middle grade overall. With that said, if you’re an agent actively seeking middle grade stories, please do let me know. Some tidbits about my completed manuscripts: 👇

As a native St. Louisan, I highly encourage you to make this recipe. (Aka, make it right now please and invite me over.) cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014...

My latest topic on Substack: Other ways to work in publishing when the search feels hopeless. Especially in today's volatile job market, I hope some of these ideas help! Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/jamiesev...

This is my origin story.

Does working in publishing actually help you get a book deal? I realize this can be a very sensitive topic, but in this post I've tried to be as helpful and open as possible. My latest topic on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/jamiesev...

Time for a little reminder, folks!

I’ve started a Substack! Working on both sides of publishing has been interesting, to say the least. So I’m sharing my experience and trying to shed some light on an industry that isn’t always accessible. Anything you want me to discuss? Comment below! jamiesevans.substack.com/p/introducti...

Sharing more widely now! Working in managing editorial, I don't always get to interact with authors, and I miss it. So in addition to working in house, I'm reopening to freelance editing! If you need a developmental or copy editor, I'd love to hear from you: jamie-evans.com/editorial-se...

One of my close friends from high school recently told me that everything is “figure-out-able” and in unrelated news I now have a new motto.

Off to a great start at work after two days away and loads to catch up on: Adobe Acrobat is freezing every time I open or save something. Yep, this will be great! 🫠

Me: I'll leave this cliffhanger line for now and figure out what to do with it later. Me, later: Why do I do this to myself.

Long story short, I'm rewriting the new MG I sent to my agent based on her feedback, and honestly, I think this new direction will make the story a lot more relatable and relevant, which is so important. I'm about midway through revisions and hopeful. 🤞 Y'all, don't ever be afraid to revise (again)!

We're still seeking a Managing Editorial Coordinator to join our department at Holiday House and Peachtree Publishing! This position can be based in New York or Atlanta. If you have 1-2 years of copyediting/proofreading experience and love #kidlit, have a look! holidayhouse.com/wp-content/u...

Sharing for the evening crowd!

Picture book friends: Looking for feedback on a work-in-progress from a professional editor and some of your peers? @writersloftma.bsky.social and I are putting on a picture book round table on May 21, and we'd love to have you! www.thewritersloft.org/offers/gbqNY...

Come work with me! My department is hiring a Managing Editorial Coordinator to work on Holiday House and Peachtree titles. Info below. 👇 holidayhouse.com/wp-content/u... We're a close-knit, fun bunch. ☺️ #jobsinpublishing

Happy Library Week to all of the public librarians, school library media specialists, and aides who make sure our kiddos have access to the stories they need! We don't tell you often enough how much we appreciate you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. ❤️

I am continuing to focus on whatever good things I can—and that includes thinking about the new middle grade I wrote that I’m so proud of. It’s getting close to going on sub, and here are a few of my favorite things about it:

It's about time I made an EDITOR'S GUIDE TO my middle grade that's on sub! 📖 Editors, if you'd like to see a contemporary MG featuring a main character with misophonia (there aren't many available like that), please contact me or my wonderful agent, Esty Loveing-Downes at ArtHouse Literary Agency.

Grateful for coworkers who know me so well. 😂

Hi, everybody. I know the job market is absolutely bonkers at the moment, but if you’re an employer looking for an experienced and invaluable web developer/technical lead for your team, I have someone close to me based in the DC area who’s looking! And I would absolutely recommend them/connect you.

For years I have been so bummed that there aren’t any indie bookstores in my part of town. Well, I just found out this one opened earlier this month and it’s in my area and I’m SO HAPPY! www.mdjonline.com/news/local/g...

Oh, these are wonderful tips!!

The MS is still with my agent, but I was asked to write a brief synopsis and pitch to accompany it, and yes, it’s still just as hard to do. But I did it! And you can, too! 🤓

I've officially sent my new middle grade—contemporary with a touch of magic—to my agent and I'm feeling all the feels right now. ✨

Just sat in on a terrific (and packed!) @americanbookseller.bsky.social Winter Institute panel called "Engaging the In-Between: Combatting the Middle Grade Reading Crisis" & want to share some highlights & thoughts. (thread)

Worked on my first picture book MS since grad school, and I’m here to report that writing picture books is still just as hard. (And I will forever be awed by PB authors!!!)

In today’s edition of driving in Atlanta traffic: Me: I wonder who will be the nice person who lets me in since I’m clearly stuck behind this stalled truck? The answer: NOBODY. 😂 Stay safe out there, folks.

As of a couple days ago, I HAVE FEEDBACK. And it is spot-on! Taking a breather (which is always important to do) and then diving into revisions!

I don’t think a middle grade has made me cry in recent memory as much as THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN just did. Highly recommended. You will probably cry too.