Editorial Freelancers Association
Member Profile
Laura Wally Johnston
I have worked as an Indie Bookseller, a High School Librarian, and a Managing Editor for a local micro press. These varied experiences give me a multi-perspective view of manuscripts and the book industry as a whole.
I like to consider editing a collaboration, and retaining the author’s voice and vision is very important to me. Tell me about your work and your goals! My eclectic taste means that no sub genre is too niche for me to consider, and I’m comfortable with new authors and veterans alike.
My services include providing insight into plot development, pacing, characterization, overall structure, etc., but I don’t mind giving line-by-line notes or acting as a copy editor or proofreader.
I am willing to consider any kind of project – if it sounds interesting, I’m on board. I am most familiar with adult and YA, but I also have experience with middle grade and picture books.
Credentials:
- BA in English Writing and Composition (Boise State University)
- Independent Bookseller, Book Buyer, Sales Manager (8 years)
- High School Librarian (8 years)
- Managing Editor of a small press (3 years)
- Freelance Editor (3 years)
Speaking Engagements:
- Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Convention – 2014
- Presenter/ Panelist – Kids Books: Pick of the List
- YALSA YA Services Symposium – 2015
- Presenter/ Panelist – “YA Services Without Borders”
- Boise Bookmarks, Teens Top Ten Nominating Group – 2017
- Mentor / Organizer, 2015 – 2019
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – 2020
- Guest Lecturer – “Book Covers and Visual Literacy”
Past projects as a Beta Reader:
- The Near Witch by Victoria (V. E.) Schwab (Disney-Hyperion, 2012)
- Empire of Shadows (Bhinian Empire #2) by Miriam Forster ( HarperTeen, 2014)
- The Hollow Gods (Chaos Cycle #1) by A. J. Vrana (The Parliament House Press, 2020)
- The Echoed Realm (Chaos Cycle #2) by A. J. Vrana (The Parliament House Press, 202)
- The Peacekeeper (The Good Lands #1) by B. L. Blanchard (47North, 2022)
Past projects as a Managing Editor for Rediscovered Publishing:
- A Kid’s Guide to Boise by Rick Just, Kelly Knopp-Illustrator (2018)
- Surviving Minidoka by Russell M. Tremayne and Todd Shallat (Reformat / cover redesign for reprint, 2019)
- Vardis Fisher’s Boise by Vardis Fisher, Introduction by Alessandro Meregaglia (2020)
Genres:
- Contemporary Realism
- Science fiction/Fantasy
- Romance
- Historical Fiction
- Magical Realism
- Weird Fiction
- Horror / Supernatural
Nonfiction subject areas:
- Education
- Film/TV/Theater
- Food and cooking
- Games/Gaming
- History
- Humor
- LGBTQIA
- Library and information science
- Lifestyle
- Multicultural Interest
- Popular culture
- Self-help
- Sociology
- Women’s studies / Intersectional Feminism
Age groups:
- Adult
- YA
- New Adult
- Middle Grade
Material types:
- Biographies / Memoirs
- Book proposals
- Comics / Graphic novels
- Creative nonfiction
- Essays
- Novels
- Poetry
- Recipes
- Reviews
- Short stories
- Speeches
BOISE, ID
US
Business phone: 2084094833
Email: laurawallyjohnston@gmail.com
Years in the field: 15
Years freelancing: 3
Laura Johnston
I have worked as an Indie Bookseller, a High School Librarian, and a Managing Editor for a local micro press. These varied experiences give me a multi-perspective view of manuscripts and the book industry as a whole.
I like to consider editing a collaboration, and retaining the author’s voice and vision is very important to me. Tell me about your work and your goals! My eclectic taste means that no sub genre is too niche for me to consider, and I’m comfortable with new authors and veterans alike.
My services include providing insight into plot development, pacing, characterization, overall structure, etc., but I don’t mind giving line-by-line notes or acting as a copy editor or proofreader.
I am willing to consider any kind of project – if it sounds interesting, I’m on board. I am most familiar with adult and YA, but I also have experience with middle grade and picture books.
Credentials:
- BA in English Writing and Composition (Boise State University)
- Independent Bookseller, Book Buyer, Sales Manager (8 years)
- High School Librarian (8 years)
- Managing Editor of a small press (3 years)
- Freelance Editor (3 years)
Speaking Engagements:
- Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Convention – 2014
- Presenter/ Panelist – Kids Books: Pick of the List
- YALSA YA Services Symposium – 2015
- Presenter/ Panelist – “YA Services Without Borders”
- Boise Bookmarks, Teens Top Ten Nominating Group – 2017
- Mentor / Organizer, 2015 – 2019
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – 2020
- Guest Lecturer – “Book Covers and Visual Literacy”
Past projects as a Beta Reader:
- The Near Witch by Victoria (V. E.) Schwab (Disney-Hyperion, 2012)
- Empire of Shadows (Bhinian Empire #2) by Miriam Forster ( HarperTeen, 2014)
- The Hollow Gods (Chaos Cycle #1) by A. J. Vrana (The Parliament House Press, 2020)
- The Echoed Realm (Chaos Cycle #2) by A. J. Vrana (The Parliament House Press, 202)
- The Peacekeeper (The Good Lands #1) by B. L. Blanchard (47North, 2022)
Past projects as a Managing Editor for Rediscovered Publishing:
- A Kid’s Guide to Boise by Rick Just, Kelly Knopp-Illustrator (2018)
- Surviving Minidoka by Russell M. Tremayne and Todd Shallat (Reformat / cover redesign for reprint, 2019)
- Vardis Fisher’s Boise by Vardis Fisher, Introduction by Alessandro Meregaglia (2020)
Genres:
- Contemporary Realism
- Science fiction/Fantasy
- Romance
- Historical Fiction
- Magical Realism
- Weird Fiction
- Horror / Supernatural
Nonfiction subject areas:
- Education
- Film/TV/Theater
- Food and cooking
- Games/Gaming
- History
- Humor
- LGBTQIA
- Library and information science
- Lifestyle
- Multicultural Interest
- Popular culture
- Self-help
- Sociology
- Women’s studies / Intersectional Feminism
Age groups:
- Adult
- YA
- New Adult
- Middle Grade
Material types:
- Biographies / Memoirs
- Book proposals
- Comics / Graphic novels
- Creative nonfiction
- Essays
- Novels
- Poetry
- Recipes
- Reviews
- Short stories
- Speeches
