Overview
Hi! I'm Abi and I'd love to work with you to make your book the very best it can be. I have over a decade's experience, most recently running the digital-lead imprint at HQ, HarperCollins, and I love working with authors wherever they are in their journey, from working on an initial idea right through to polishing a near-final manuscript.
There are lots of ways I can help you, whether you're looking for feedback on your ideas, an appraisal of your manuscript, or a more in-depth structural/development edit. I can also feed back on your submission package; I've managed the submissions inbox for both literary agents and in-house at big publishers, and I can help you pitch your story to get attention. Or, if you're aiming to self-publish, I can help you brainstorm market-focused titles and craft appealing copy to persuade readers to buy.
Books I've edited include no.1 Kindle bestseller Murder by Candlelight by Faith Martin, Bookseller Heatseeker The Little Venice Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin, USA Today bestseller The Secret of the Chateau by Kathleen McGurl, and winner of the International Thriller Writers Ebook Original award The Couple at Causeway Cottage by Diane Jeffrey. I've also worked with many unpublished authors, providing manuscript appraisals, book coaching/mentoring and query letter assessments through Black Girl Writers, Asian Women Writers, and various charity auctions.
As an editor I aim to be supportive, thorough, and collaborative. It's your book, so whilst I'll make suggestions on improvements – and give ideas on how to make changes too – I'll also try to explain why I'm suggesting things. Often I find that explaining the reasoning behind my suggestion helps authors find their own way of solving things, whilst remaining true to their vision of the book!
Whatever stage of your writing journey you're at, I'd love to help. Do reach out, and let's work out how I can help you achieve your goals.
Services
Fiction
Languages
Work experience
Freelance
I work as a freelance editor, offering developmental and line edits, proofreads, manuscript appraisals and more to publishers and authors. I specialise in commercial fiction, particularly books targeting a large digital audience.
HQ, HarperCollins
I ran the HQ Digital list at HQ, HarperCollins, where my authors included bestsellers Faith Martin, Rebecca Raisin and Kathleen McGurl. I have published USA Today bestsellers, Bookseller Heatseekers, and Kindle bestsellers, including the no. 1 bestseller Murder by Candlelight.
Asian Women Writers and Black Girl Writers
Alongside my day job I provide mentoring, query letter assessments, manuscript appraisals and edits for authors through Asian Women Writers and Black Girl Writers, as well as various charity auctions. Authors I worked with include Ptissem Abourachid, whose novel The Checklist won the TLC Pen Factor competition in 2023.
Bookouture, Hachette
At leading digital publisher Bookouture, I published across all areas of commercial fiction, including crime/thriller, saga, historical and women's fiction, in both the UK and US. My authors included bestsellers Pam Howes, Colleen Coleman and Karen Clarke.
HarperCollins
I worked in various editorial roles across the ebooks and audio departments, latterly managing the audiobook publishing programme for HarperFiction, HarperNonFiction and Avon, whose authors included George RR Martin, Agatha Christie, Bernard Cornwell, and Fern Britton.
Portfolio
Abigail has 4 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
