Services
Do you have a book in mind? We help authors improve and refine until their dreams become a reality.
How We Can Work Together
Manuscript Critique
Unbiased analysis and guidance on how to improve the foundations of your novel.
Line and Copy-Editing
Fix your grammar, punctuation and spelling, and smooth out those sentences.
Editorial Appraisal
An assessment and edit of your first 5,000 words to point you in the right direction.
As a writer, working with you has been the best thing that’s happened to me […] I want to add my relief and happiness that you ‘got’ what I was trying to do; you didn’t just edit the words; you understood the concepts and your feedback helped me to tighten everything up and make it so much better, both in terms of subtext and style.
Portfolio
I’ve edited 100+ manuscripts since becoming an editor in 2011, working with both self-publishing authors and publishing houses. Here are just a handful of books I’ve worked on. For each, I’ve either conducted a manuscript critique or a line and copy-edit (or both).
I’ve worked with Sophie on two full-length novels. She tries to maintain the author’s voice as much as possible and has a great eye for detail – she’s not afraid of pushing you to make the best of your writing. I really don’t know where I’d be without her guidance in shaping my stories, or sharpening up those rough edges!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work with clients outside the UK?
Yes. Please let me know the nationality of your intended readership in your enquiry. Keep in mind I don’t normally work with authors whose first language isn’t English as this often requires a different set of skills.
How far in advance should I book you in?
My schedule can get pretty busy. Sometimes I’ll have availability to start on your project right away, but more often than not I’ll be booked up, on average, three months in advance. Get in touch with me as soon as your manuscript is ready and we’ll work something out.
Can you help me find a publisher?
No, I’m afraid not. You’ll need to work with a literary agent for that.
I’ve just signed a book deal. Can we still work together?
Absolutely. Just ask your publisher if I can be your editor. It’s common for authors to ask for a particular editor that they like. (And congratulations on the book deal!)
I’m an aspiring writer – can you give me some advice?
I offer lots of free advice on my blog, so check that out. If your aim is to be a published writer, I also highly recommend you read Write to Be Published by Nicola Morgan.
Can I give you a call or meet up in person to chat about my book?
I’d rather you didn’t – not because I don’t want to talk to you, but because it’s likely I’ll be immersed in another person’s manuscript. Plus, I think it’s much more useful to have a written record of our conversation to refer to, so email is always best.
But how will I know if you’re the right editor for me?
Every editor works (and edits) differently, so it’s important to find a good match between author and editor. But just because we don’t chat on the phone or meet face to face, it doesn’t mean we can’t get a feel for whether we’ll work well together. Firstly, if you like what I say on this website, that’s a good sign. Then we can chat a little over email. All of this should be enough for you to decide if we’re a good fit for each other.
Can I have a sample edit?
No problem. If I think we’re going to be a good match for each other, I’ll happily provide a free 500-word sample edit for line and copy-editing. This will give you a feel for the kinds of edits I might make on your manuscript and will help you decide if I’m the right editor for you. For my other services, it’s impossible to give samples, so I recommend reading the information on this site carefully and getting in touch if you have any specific questions.
