Ms Jennifer Navarre

Featured

Kidlit Editor and Writing Coach | Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade Novels

Media

1 Illustrated Books

2 Books

3 Educational Materials

Experience

Freelance since 2018 (year)

 

1. Job title: Researcher
 

    Company: Tennessee General Assembly   Dates (years only) 2016-2021
 

2. Job title: Teacher
 

    Company: US schools   Dates (years only) 2001-2003, 2006-2016
 

3. Job title: Assistant Editor, Math

 

    Company: McGraw-Hill Digital Learning   Dates (years only) 2004-2006

Training

1. Developmental Editing: Fiction Theory self-study (Sophie Playle) Year: 2021
 

2. Book Mapping for Developmental Editors (EFA)  Year: 2021
 

3. Editing Children's Picture Books (EFA) Year: 2021
 

4. Introduction to Children's Literature (EFA) Year: 2020
 

5. Crafting the Chapter Book (Writing Barn) Year: 2020

 

6.  Working with Indie Authors (Tanya Gold) 2020

 

7. Copyediting certificate (UCSD) 2017-2018

Clients

https://jenavarre.com/portfolio

 

https://jenavarre.com/testimonials

Subjects

kidlit

children's books

children's literature

picture books

chapter books

middle grade novels

graphic novels

books for kids

books for children

books for tweens

board books

early readers

early chapter books

Qualifications

BA English and Spanish

MA Teachking K-6

UCSD Copyediting certificate

Video

testimonials

It was an amazing experience that helped me achieve the very thing I was looking for in an edit.

 

I had a great story but I wanted to elevate it and ensure I was delivering the words the right way. This story was inspired by true events, so I really wanted to make sure the manuscript delivered the right emotion. I didn’t want an editor that would strip the whole story of its true essence.

 

I was referred to Jennifer and trusted that she would be a good fit. I am so glad I did because it was such an amazing experience. It was so helpful to hear Jennifer walk me through her thoughts on different aspects of the edits she had made and why the changes might have been required. The edits really took my manuscript and helped me make sure my words were packed with the right emotions that I wanted for my book!

 

I have been so inspired knowing it is possible for my ideas to be transformed into an amazing story. I have now had people read the book and connect with the message, and I’m looking forward to writing more books!

Onaolapo Dagunduro, Picture Book Author, My Big Welcome

If I could recommend a kidlit editor to everyone writing books for children, I would definitely send them to Jennifer a million times over. Not only does she have an eye for grammatical errors, issues with clarity, and sentence structure, but she found words that hadn't been added to the dictionary yet for when my book takes place. I hadn't even thought about it, but she pointed it out and I was able to change it, and keep everything true to the period.

 

Her edits are easy to understand, her comments are extremely helpful, and I love that she sends a video explaining the changes, what didn't work in the story, and what she absolutely loved. I felt like I had an editor, but also a cheerleader for my book.

 

Nightshade Forest wouldn't be where it is at without Jennifer's expertise, and I am so thankful that she chose to work on it with me. I can't wait to send her the rest of the books in the series to edit.

Nikki Mitchell, Middle Grade Author, Nightshade Forest

Jennifer provides concise, insightful feedback tailored to publishing for children and young adults.

 

I had lost control of my story. It was too long for a picture book. Past critiques had been very general and lacking in suggestions on how to improve the story.

 

Jennifer helped me bring clarity to my story so I could cut down the word count and leave room for the illustrator. My document was returned not only with Tracked Changes but with an audio of her explaining the changes and offering suggestions. In the audio, I could hear her enthusiasm for my project.

 

Since having my book edited, I have done a Twitter pitch that received several requests from agents to query. I feel more confident sending it out to agents and look forward to getting my book published.

Alexis Villareal, Rhyming Picture Book Author, Noa Wonders

My story was finished to the best of my ability, but it needed polish and a final edit. I feel hiring an editor is an important investment to make so my books are the very best they can be before distributing them to the public, where they are out there forever.

 

I chose Navarre Editorial Services because Jennifer had edited Tillie and the Golden Phantom, the first book in my series, and I was delighted with the experience and the end result.

 

As I’d used Jennifer for a previous book edit, I knew all about her eagle eyes. She picks up on things that have been skipped by me and my beta readers. Jennifer has a great knowledge about young children’s chapter books and what is suitable content for this genre. She’s a pleasure to work with and communicated throughout the editing process so we could agree on certain strategies. My books are written in UK English, which wasn’t a problem for her.

 

It is always a total pleasure to work with Jennifer Navarre.

Heather B. Moon, Middle Grade Author, Tillie at Jamaica Inn

With Jennifer, you are in good hands!

 

I was excited to develop my book further, but I knew it needed professional editing. I didn't know who I could trust.

 

I met Jennifer and immediately knew she would take good care of my story. Her services are professional, timely, and effective. She gave care to my story and really wanted to make it great.

 

I took Jennifer's edits and ran with them; I’m so happy with where my manuscript is. And after sending it off to publishers, I’m excited to announce my book will be published!

 

I will definitely be using Navarre Editorial Services again for my future books!

Christina Furnival, Picture Book Author, The Not-So-Friendly Friend | How to Set Boundaries for Healthy Friendships

Jennifer improved our book series in a subtle yet profound way.

 

After writing our books, we were unsure if we needed an editor (WE DID). Would someone try and change too much of our story? Was it worth the investment?

 

Jennifer was extremely responsive, thorough, and knowledgeable. We felt supported before, during, and after the editing process, and we loved communicating with her through video; we felt like we were right in the room with her having a conversation.

 

During the edit, we learned more about rhyme and meter and how this would impact the flow of our books. We now feel so much more confident that our rhyme, meter, and sentence structure are cohesive throughout our series—and now that our Kickstarter campaign has been funded, we can’t wait to hold our printed books in our hands.

Cece Leigh, Picture Book Authors, Hello, God! I See You!

As a new writer, I was looking for an editor that could assist with both development and traditional editing services. Jennifer provided both for me and did a fantastic job. She was great in giving suggestions but respecting the line between editor and writer. She provided a video clip of her edits so that I could completely understand the reasoning behind the notes that she was giving. I would recommend Jennifer as an editor.

Megan Zavaglia, Picture Book Author, Maggie Goes to Scotland

It’s so easy to self-publish these days, and sadly, many people are doing so without the benefit of a copyeditor. Before you risk foisting your errors on the reading public, please consider Jennifer's excellent service. She not only checked my story for spelling and grammatical errors; she fact-checked places and dates, ironed out my baggy paragraphs, and made sure that what I wrote made sense to the reader. I now have a manuscript that I can confidently shop around. With her teaching background, she knows what turns kids off—and what keeps them turning pages!

Liza Martini, Middle Grade Author, The Caroler

• Editor