Avery Naughton Editorial
Hello! My name is Avery, and I am a professional freelance writer and editor with 9+ years of experience in traditional publishing. I specialize in children's book writing and editing fiction and non-fiction projects across all ages.
I also proofread select projects and fact check books for all ages.
Please find my resume here, and a OneSheet of my portfolio here.
WRITING & EDITING SERVICES
I have nearly a decade of experience in fiction and non-fiction publishing as an editor with the Smithsonian and National Geographic Kids Books.
I believe that the best editors are the best listeners and communicators. With every project, I bring a sharp eye for: tone, pacing, character development, research authenticity, reading level, and consistency.
I am happy to offer developmental and line editing services for a variety of writing projects, including full-length fiction and non-fiction book manuscripts of all genres. I also edit: blogs, website content, marketing materials, magazine articles, essays, query letters, brochures, and guides.
I also offer proofreading for shorter projects like picture books, readers, and early chapter books.
In addition, I fact check all ages and levels of books. I have experience with both adult and children's titles.
Trusted experience
Editing takeaways
More editing information
Writing
A handful of upcoming non-fiction and fiction titles I've authored will release in 2027. Publishers include Scholastic and Silver Dolphin.
My writing has also appeared in the Explorer Academy series, the Cutest Animals on the Planet franchise, Predators: A Smithsonian Coloring Book, and Smithsonian trivia sets with Clarkson Potter. I have also worked on 50+ marketing materials including back cover copies and TI sheets.
I hope to get the privilege of collaborating with you. Please feel free to reach out to me with any writing inquiries.
ABOUT AVERY
Avery Naughton is a freelance writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience in traditional publishing at National Geographic and the Smithsonian. She holds a degree from Carleton College. Originally from San Diego, she now resides in Portland, Oregon.
Growing up, she was always storytelling in one form or another, from writing silly poems about animals to penning op-eds for her school newspaper.
Outside of work, she loves—you guessed it—reading both fiction and non-fiction books (her favorite authors are Lisa See, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Madeline Miller, and Pat Conroy). Whenever she gets the chance, she loves traveling. So far, her favorite destinations are Japan, Tanzania, Namibia, Egypt, and Italy. She spends as much time as she can with her rescue dog, Pickles, who is the cuddliest and most co-dependent big dog she has ever met.
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EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
B.A. Carleton College, History
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
B.A. Carleton College, History
I graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude from Carleton College.
National Geographic Books, Editor
I worked as a book editor in the National Geographic Books division.
I managed roughly ten-fifteen projects at a time, including both fiction and nonfiction titles. I found and hired authors, pitched and developed book ideas, proposed and managed budgets, edited manuscripts, and wrote marketing material for each book. Projects include New York Times Bestseller Greeking Out and the Explorer Academy Series.
Smithsonian Licensed Publishing, Editor
I was a book editor at the world's largest museum and research complex. Within the licensed publishing team, I collaborated with notable publishing partners like DK and Penguin Random House to brainstorm book ideas, develop proposals, edit and review projects, and mitigate curatorial feedback.
TESTIMONIALS
01
"I am so pleased with Avery's work! She was organized, helpful, super easy to work with, and very timely with answering questions. She was meticulous with detail within the manuscript and also with managing her set deadlines. She always got things back to me prior to the deadline. I never had to chase down anything she was doing, nor did I ever wonder or doubt her amazing feedback on the manuscript. I wish I was working on a second book so that I could continue working with her. Initially, I asked her to plan on having milestone meetings after each milestone to be sure we were progressing on the same page. We had one - and that was all that was needed because we worked together seamlessly. This was the best possible experience I could have had with my first time working with a developmental editor. I highly recommend Avery for any type of project like this. She is friendly, professional, and extremely organized."
02
"Avery is incredible. I wish I had used her as my copy editor instead of just proofreading. Her notes were invaluable and her edits were spot on. I've already recommended her to two other writers less than a week after the job completed. Amazing work!"
03
"Avery was absolutely brilliant. She was extremely thorough and detailed, and provided feedback that significantly improved the overall composition of my work. I’d hire her over and over again for copy edit or proofreading. She’s a must-hire. I’m so glad I found her!"
04
"Avery's insights have transformed my writing. I appreciate that her feedback was not only constructive, but also conveyed with genuine care for my growth. Additionally, I value her commitment to excellence in all three of my projects."
05
"Ms. Naughton is exceptionally professional and thorough. As a first time author, this is all new territory and like most, if not all writers, our stories are so personal. Ms. Naughton, in a few brief email exchanges explained her process, gave a projected completion date and more importantly she cared and treated my project as her own. Her multi-layered work was completed ahead of schedule and the detail and attention of her work says so much about her and her commitment as an editor. I hope to work her again."
CONTACT ME
Please feel free to email me at naughtonavery@gmail.com, or reach out via the form below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.