Andrew James

Andrew James – Editor

Award-winning editor and literary agent. I work on LGBTQ+, mental health, neurodiversity, autism and disability.

Overview

I am an award-winning commissioning editor and I have over 13 years of experience commissioning and editing fiction, non-fiction and children's books. I have worked in academic and professional publishing as well as trade and children's and I specialise in LGBTQ+, mental health, neurodiversity, autism, disability and academic topics. I provide manuscript editing, book commissioning, authenticity reading (sensitivity reading) and consultancy. I have worked on books that have won or been shortlisted for Polari Book Prize, Polari First Book Prize, Polari Children’s & YA Book Award, Lambda Literary Award, Stonewall Book Award and World Book Night.


I am a market-focused editor and aim to provide feedback that will ensure your book is suited to the target audience. I like to provide detailed feedback and work collaboratively with authors and clients to help them realise their vision for the work. I'm friendly and easy-going and aim to work quickly and to budget.


Services
Non-Fiction
Health & Wellbeing LGBTQ Non-Fiction Parenting & Families Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (UK)
Awards
  • The Bookseller Rising Star

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 2023 — Present

I represent LGBTQIA+ authors and work with them editorially to shape their books so they're ready to submit to publishers. I also provide editorial services such as manuscript editing, book commissioning, authenticity reading (sensitivity reading) and consultancy and strategy.

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Apr, 2016 — Aug, 2022 (over 6 years)

Responsible for developing and executing the editorial vision and publishing strategy for JKP’s market-leading LGBTQ+ publishing, which I established in 2016.

I commissioned award-winning practical non-fiction, self-help, memoir, children's books, graphic novels and workbooks.

Palgrave Macmillan

Dec, 2010 — Mar, 2016 (over 5 years)

Commissioned monographs, reference and trade non-fiction across Sociology, Social Policy and Education whilst managing a global team of assistants and editors. I was promoted from Editorial Assistant to Senior Commissioning Editor whilst at Palgrave.

Portfolio

To My Trans Sisters

Craggs, Charlie

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment

Andrew has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Nathanael W.

Nathanael W.

Apr, 2024

Great experience with a manuscript assessment - covered many aspects of the MS with helpful examples/references to the text so I could see what needed to be addressed. The manuscript assessment was laid out in the way of a general Introduction, before leading into headings such as Plotting, Voice, Style, Editorial Points etc., and finishing with a Conclusion which summarised the main points of ...
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Kelvin R. B.

Kelvin R. B.

Sep, 2023

Prompt, and exceedingly courteous, but I expected a little more detail. Andre gave me a few suggestions that were good. But ones i had already gotten from my spouse.

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