Services Offered:

Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Line Editing
Query Critique
Author Coaching

Preferred Age Level & Genre of Expertise:

Danielle’s sweet spot is middle grade, though she also edits picture books, young adult, new adult, and nonfiction. She has an affinity for contemporary realistic fiction, memoir, novel-in-verse, historical fiction, fantasy, humor and anything that will break her heart.

More About Danielle…

Danielle Sunshine (she/her) has written professionally for over 25 years. She began her career writing marketing copy but later turned to fiction because it was much more fun. A lifelong reader and lover of story, Danielle has extensive experience editing picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, and memoir. She has a keen interest in developing writers of all levels and helping them hone their craft through collaboration, constructive feedback, communication, and support.

Danielle holds a BA in English Literature from the University of California at Berkeley, an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts (focus on writing for children and young adults), and a TESL Certificate from the University of Cambridge.

Danielle volunteered as the Regional Advisor of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators San Francisco South chapter for five years, helping hundreds of writers further their craft and build their careers. Along the way, she founded Middle Grade Lunchbreak, a book club of professional writers who discuss books with an eye for craft.  She has taught writing and poetry to middle grade and high school students and is a frequent guest lecturer at Stanford University. She currently teaches writing and American Culture at Cañada College.

In addition to working with writers, Danielle has worked as a Managing Editor, Copy Editor, Line Editor, and Proofreader for Room to Read and the Asia Foundation, two NGOs focused on building literacy around the world. In October 2020, she was honored to be chosen as one of 10 editors for the Room to Read Peace & Equality Book Collection.

Danielle’s picture book, The Soapbox, was nominated for the Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award at the SCBWI Los Angeles Conference in 2018. Her middle grade historical, Guys Like Us, won the Best Novel Manuscript at the SCBWI Golden Gate Year Conference in 2022.

Favorite Books:

• The Fire-Eaters by David Almond

• The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt

• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

• Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

• The Giver by Lois Lowry

• Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

• Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

• Holes by Louis Sachar

• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

• Love that Dog by Sharon Creech

• Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

• Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

• How to be Both by Ali Smith

Favorite TV Shows:

Jane the Virgin, Downton Abbey, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Crown, Endeavor, The Office, Ted Lasso

Testimonials.

Danielle went so far above and beyond what I would expect of an editor. Professionally, Danielle's edits were detailed and thorough, whilst getting straight to the heart of where my writing could stand to improve. Her editorial letter rang true and reasonable in the areas she identified for improvement, and she clearly explained her reasoning so that I knew not just where but how and why to make changes to my manuscript. I knew as soon as I started reading that she was right on the money with her assessment, and I felt immediately inspired to get back to work on my manuscript and improve it with her directions. Personally, Danielle really looked after me as a writer. She checked in on my progress more than she was obligated to. Her critique never felt like criticism, it felt like she was genuinely trying to help me become a better writer. She identified and encouraged my existing strengths as a writer, and was considerate in the way she brought up areas for improvement. I genuinely felt like she cared about my work and me as a writer and wanted to see both do better. If you are lucky enough to form a working relationship with Danielle, you will be well looked after.
-Jarryd Bendall

Danielle did a substantive edit of my 37,000 word middle-grade fantasy novel. She went through my novel so carefully. Her comments have been instrumental in bringing my story to a new level. I highly recommend her services.
-Pam Verhagen

Danielle Sunshine’s vast knowledge and leadership experience in the SF regional chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators means that she is uniquely qualified to edit work with an eye to both the craft and business of writing. Her patience, kindness, and sense of humor make learning from her a pleasure.
-Lisa Papademetriou, MFA and bestselling author, former faculty at Sierra Nevada College

I think Danielle excels as an editor. She is thorough, precise and inventive. She has a wide knowledge of children’s literature and a superior command of the English language. Whether for line editing or copy editing, I highly recommend her.
-Jane Houng, MFA and author

Danielle Sunshine is a conscientious and creative editor with a deep knowledge of craft. She is one of those rare mentors who can simultaneously support and challenge an author to bring out the best in a story.
-Ashley Walker, PhD, MFA, writer

Danielle Sunshine performed a line edit of my entire book and suggested changes that made each chapter sensorially richer. She took many of my clunky sentences and transformed them into elegant, inviting prose. She was a great pleasure to work with throughout the process and greatly improved the manuscript at every turn. I will definitely work with her again.
-Anne E. Beall, author of 8 books including, 5-Minute Meditation Vacations - Magical Journeys with a Personal Message