Alison Birch

Alison Birch – Editor

Friendly, creative and helpful copy-editor specialising in novel-length fiction. Intermediate-level SfEP member, ALLi partner member.

Overview

Fiction is my favourite - I've edited crime, romance and sci-fi - but I'm willing to tackle anything within reason (I've worked on subjects as diverse as EU banking law, organising a funeral, and piezoelectric motors!).
I'm friendly and approachable, not averse to an Oxford comma or two, and I'm always happy to provide sample edits if required. The writers I've edited for have always given me excellent feedback (some of which you can see on my LinkedIn profile) and I've enjoyed building productive and creative working relationships with them.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry
Fiction
Humor & Comedy Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Romance Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (UK)
Certifications
  • Intermediate member, SfEP
  • Approved Partner Member, Alliance of Independent Authors

Work experience

Self-employed

Aug, 2018 — Present

I set up my editing business in August 2018, while I was still working full-time in the NHS. Since then, I have edited novels, website copy, nonfiction books and postgraduate-level study materials.
Editing is now my full-time job.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Jan, 1992 — Mar, 2019 (about 27 years)

I spent 27 years working as a Clinical Scientist in a hospital diagnostic laboratory, specialising in Genetics.

Portfolio

Soft tissue disorders can affect eighteen out of every thousand. If you’re unlucky enough to have Achilles tendinitis, you have probably suffered in silence, but you’re doing less sport, less running or even just less walking. This chronic disorder will negati... read more
Sometimes you can’t forgive and forget.Jessica Ripley didn’t kill her ex-husband. But everyone thinks she did. After serving twelve years for his murder, it’s time to get her own back on those who put her inside.During those twelve years, Jessy’s son, Michael,... read more
Immortal

Nick M Lloyd

“We’re coming to help.”That’s the message humanity receives from the depths of space.The senders, calling themselves the Ankor, claim a colossal gamma ray burst from a supernova will engulf the Earth in less than a year, sterilising all life.But they provide n... read more
Raymond had known hardship from a very early age. He witnessed his mother’s suicide and his father’s alcoholism. Throughout his teenage years he had suffered pain and neglect and swore to make something of himself – whatever the cost. Driven by ruthless ambiti... read more
I'm Eddie Collins, a CSI. This is the story of how I saw a dead man die.I was finishing up at a sudden death in an old house, waiting for the body snatchers to arrive, when I heard a noise from the cellar.I had time to kill, so I went to investigate.Turns out ... read more
Sword of Damocles

Andrew Barrett

When the remains of a woman are found in a burnt-out car, Eddie Collins reluctantly teams up with his enemy, DI Benson, to untangle the knot of lies behind this apparent suicide. In the midst of all this, Eddie's life grows more complicated by the day; his per... read more
My name is Becky. I arrived home to find my husband, Chris, stabbed to death and a gang of men ransacking our house.Turns out that Chris has something that belongs to them. And if I want to stay alive, I have to find it and return it. They have given me seven ... read more
“It’ll screw you up into a tiny ball of hatred and then spit you out into a cell.”SOCO, Roger Conniston, always believed in the law. Not now though. Now he believes only in himself. He has business with people who have no right being alive, and if success cost... read more
“Examining crime scenes was never supposed to get personal.”Roger Conniston has a lot to prove and a lot to protect. He’s up against an ex-bare-knuckle fighter called Hades who is planning the most audacious robbery in England’s history.For Hades, the success ... read more
Do you like realistic forensic-based crime thrillers?They discovered her naked body with a puncture wound to her neck and blood everywhere. This was the second such case West Yorkshire Police had running. Both unsolved.Until they found that one elusive piece o... read more
Looking for your new favourite CSI mystery? Then discover the unmissable The Third Rule today.Propelled by a wave of atrocities, the government introduces a severe code of capital punishment. They designed The Rules to rid England of serious crime, but they fa... read more

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