All about Amanda

After graduating in 2004 with a degree in English Literature and German Language, Amanda soon got her first job in children’s book publishing at Miles Kelly. This is where she first met Belinda Gallagher, her editorial mentor and co-Gingerbread Moon freelancer. 

Amanda’s dedication ensured that each book she project-managed was thoroughly researched, creatively written and edited with pizzazz to wow children. Fast forward a few years and she became the Managing Editor for a children's book brand collaboration with the Discovery Channel, working on a series of complex annuals that became bestsellers. She also headed up the editorial team at QED, an imprint of Quarto, before deciding that the commuting life was not for her, and freelancing was the way forwards. 

In her freelance editorial career, Amanda not only manages the longer projects of writing and ghostwriting children’s books, or planning and replanning way-off-the-mark children’s books, she also happily takes on the quick one-off jobs of proofreading picture books or fact-checking non-fiction books for kids. In fact, she really enjoys proofreading, and is most disappointed if she can’t find at least one error.

Amanda has also worked to editorially support the content, sales and marketing side of children’s book publishing, so not only knows the market well, but also how to persuasively write for parents, children and buyers – whether back cover copy, catalogues or sales material – to make a book really stand out.