Are you looking for an editor to help you develop and polish your book? Someone who’s capable and skilled and has heaps of experience working with writers and publishers – but is also kind, sensitive and encouraging? Someone who understands well the challenges and vulnerabilities of being a writer, because she is one herself?
If so, then I may be the right editor for you.
My editorial experience
Over the past 20 years, I’ve ghostwritten, developed, edited and proofread many hundreds of books for authors and publishers – like these ones:
My approach to book editing
Finding an editor can be daunting. There are lots of editors out there to choose from, and lots of detailed information about levels of editing and how services work. And there’s the worry about how the editor will edit your writing. Will they trample on your style, be heavily critical, shred your manuscript? After the edit, will you be left disheartened, your confidence knocked?
I take a very simple approach in my editing:
I explore what the writer wants and needs, and then I edit responsively – and respectfully.
My book editing combines my logic and intelligencewith my creativity, sensitivity and empathy. I’m not just a professional editor, I’m a writer myself (with all the angst that comes with that), and this informs how I work. I want my clients to enjoy working with me, to feel that their writing is in safe hands, and to be inspired to write more!
Think of it this way: when you work with me, you’re not working with someone in a business suit: cool and driven and frankly quite stern. You’re working with someone who’s most likely wearing a comfy cardigan, who gets excited by things like bookends and clothbounds, and who genuinely cares about your writing.
Charlie was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her professionalism, expertise and advice were invaluable on what was a difficult project and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her!
– Caitlin Flynn, Publishing Officer, Imperial War Museums
My editorial services
Manuscript Assessment
Reviewing the big picture
I provide high-level feedback on the big picture of your book, covering plot/content, characterisation, structure, style, genre, marketability and readiness for publication. My report highlights strengths and areas for potential development, to inform your next steps.
Structure, content/plot, characterisation, style – in this detailed edit I develop the foundations and building blocks of the book. Depending on your preference, I may be ‘hands on’, making lots of edits myself, or I may guide you through queries and suggestions.
This edit is all about helping you to communicate well with the reader. In the copy-edit, I improve readability, clarity, accuracy and consistency in the writing, tidying and polishing. Quite simply, I help you say what you want to say effectively and elegantly.
In this final review before publication, I correct little mistakes that may have slipped through the net. At this stage, I’m not looking to improve the writing style; I’m looking for black-and-white errors like typos and misplaced punctuation that could distract the reader.
Like my coaching, my book editing is tailored to the writer’s needs and preferences. That means sometimes my services are blended together, and sometimes they bring in a little extra input, like ghostwriting.
Quite honestly, it doesn’t matter which level of editing I provide (and what we call it); all that matters is that you get the support that you want. You may want a super-intensive edit, or you may want a very light one. You may want some developmental input, or you may want an edit focusing only on the language. My aim is to help you develop your writing in the way that works best for you.
Charlie has passion for her work and it shows. She is thorough, exact, accommodative, imaginative and an absolute pleasure to work with.
– Sif Sigmarsdóttir, Author(Hodder)
Book editing genres and specialisms
I especially enjoy editing books in the following genres:
Women’s fiction
Romance
Children’s and young adult
Contemporary
Historical
Mystery and cosy crime
Supernatural and fantasy
Humour
Psychology and self-help
Health
Parenting and family
History
Business
Biography
The arts
How-to
I always enjoy working with Charlie because I can count on her considered and incisive editing skills to improve whatever I send her way. Independent yet collaborative, reliable and dedicated, Charlie is an editor of the highest calibre.
– Rachael Chilvers, Special Projects Coordinator (For Dummies), John Wiley & Sons
Book editing FAQs
How much does editing cost?
I cost each project individually, based on the scope and complexity of the edit. My rates are in line with those recommended by the UK’s Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading. As a guide, my starting rates per 1,000 words are as follows: £7.50 for a manuscript assessment, £12.50 for suggestions-based development editing, £22.50 for hands-on development editing, £15 for copy-editing and £8 for proofreading.
How long does an edit take?
Turnaround depends on the size of the project and my current workload. Deadlines can range from 1–2 weeks for a manuscript assessment, 2–4 weeks for a proofread, 4–6 weeks for a copy-edit and 6–8 weeks for a developmental edit. Where possible, I try to return projects sooner than the deadline.
Do you edit any kind of writing?
I mainly edit books, but I also edit stories, poems, personal essays and articles. I’m open to editing other kinds of writing too; over the years, I’ve edited everything from websites and marketing materials to reports and academic papers.
One thing I don’t edit is content generated by AI. My job is all about helping fellow writers to develop their writing, which for me is meaningful and fulfilling work.
Do you ghostwrite books?
Occasionally. Ghostwriting used to be one of my core services, and I’ve ghostwritten a good number of fiction and non-fiction books, as well as short stories and articles.
These days I generally focus on editing, which is easier to blend with my own writing. However, I do still ghostwrite when a project really lights me up. So if, having looked through my website, you feel I could be the right ghostwriter for you, feel free to get in touch.
If you’d like to discuss editing, please get in touch.
