Naomi Kirsten is a freelance editor, creative consultant, product developer, and publishing industry leader. During her 16 years as an editor at Chronicle Books, Naomi acquired and edited hundreds of titles, including award-winning picture books, cookbooks, novelty books, board books, games, stationery, and toys. Prior to Chronicle Books, Naomi was an Assistant Editor at Harper’s Magazine, and she helped launch Discovery Girls Magazine while studying English literature at the University of California, Berkeley.

While at Chronicle, Naomi’s interest in product development and ideation resulted in multiple projects for Star Wars/LucasFilm, a 12-title suite of products for NASA, a 6-title, international-best-selling picture book series with Benjamin Chaud and Davide Cali, and original games with best-selling children’s book author Taro Gomi. Naomi also developed publishing and product lines with Marc Boutavant, Marianna Coppo, GAMAGO, Girl Scouts, Boo the Dog, Micah Player, Moomin, Richard McGuire, and Shinsuke Yoshitake, among others.

Naomi’s notable and award-winning books include New York Times Notable Book There Must Be More Than That!; New York Times Notable Book and Society of Illustrators Gold Medal winner The Bear’s Song; New York Times Best Illustrated Book The Boring Book; Neighbors, winner of the 2021 BolognaRagazzi Award Opera Prima 2021; The Book That Can Read Your Mind, which was shortlisted for Barnes & Noble’s Best Picture Book of the Year in 2024; and Junior Library Guild Selection and international bestseller I Didn’t Do My Homework Because…, which has 22 foreign editions to date.

Naomi is currently a creative consultant and freelance editor who regularly speaks on publishing industry topics, product ideation, and the creative process. She has been an instructor and presenter at international conferences, webinars, and illustration schools, including Mimaster Illustrazione in Milan, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Inked Voices, Signs & Lines in Milan, Orange Beak Studio, and the Bologna Book Fair Illustrator Survivor’s Corner.

For information about freelance editing and creative consulting services, visit this page or email naomikirstencreative[at]gmail.com.