Anna Bowles - Editor
I have 10+ years' experience working on children's and YA writing at UK publishers including Hachette and HarperCollins.
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Overview
During my decade of experience as an in-house editor, I worked on top children's commercial fiction series such as Rainbow Magic and Beast Quest, becoming a commissioning editor at Hachette before going freelance in early 2015. Since then, as well as taking on individual clients, I have continued to copy-edit for Hachette, Penguin and HarperCollins amongst others, working on high-profile authors such as David Walliams, Babette Cole and Holly Smale. I've also been involved in the fiction publishing side of dozens of brands, from Winnie-the-Pooh to Wallace and Gromit, meaning that I can offer clients the benefit of my extensive experience in developing and working with characters.
I'm a published writer as well as an editor, and my first YA novel, Rapids, is out now from ZunTold Press. I've also ghostwritten for the Secret Kingdom and Agent Asha series. So I know what it's like on your side of the desk (or computer) as well as mine!
On the non-fiction side, I spent for four years as a commissioning editor at Carlton Books and Octopus, creating quality children's reference material on subjects from space to ponies.
I have an MA in Russian Studies, and a particular interest in books set in Russia or featuring Russian characters.
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Some recent testimonials from my Reedsy clients (see the reviews section for more):
Anna's keen eye for story structure and detail combined with her killer work ethic and human touch makes for a great editorial experience. I really feel I'm getting top-notch industry advice on my manuscripts when working with her. I couldn't recommend her more highly!
– Mez Blume, author of the Katie Watson series
Anna's insight into what publishers and readers are looking for, and also what makes a great story, is a powerful combination. Her ability to marry these priorities and make suggestions that may lead to improvements in both these areas would be a valuable asset to any writer, but was especially enlightening for an unpublished writer like myself. I cannot recommend Anna highly enough, she is like antivirus software for your manuscript.
– Tim Cove, author of the Riftgate series
I gained more in one Developmental Edit from Anna, than I have from many a Creative Writing course. Anna is straight to the point and very insightful. I wish I had paid for a service such as this years ago. This is the missing link for many writers who are yet to be published and looking for clear feedback on their work.
– Emma McGuire, pre-published Middle Grade author
I'm a published writer as well as an editor, and my first YA novel, Rapids, is out now from ZunTold Press. I've also ghostwritten for the Secret Kingdom and Agent Asha series. So I know what it's like on your side of the desk (or computer) as well as mine!
On the non-fiction side, I spent for four years as a commissioning editor at Carlton Books and Octopus, creating quality children's reference material on subjects from space to ponies.
I have an MA in Russian Studies, and a particular interest in books set in Russia or featuring Russian characters.
***
Some recent testimonials from my Reedsy clients (see the reviews section for more):
Anna's keen eye for story structure and detail combined with her killer work ethic and human touch makes for a great editorial experience. I really feel I'm getting top-notch industry advice on my manuscripts when working with her. I couldn't recommend her more highly!
– Mez Blume, author of the Katie Watson series
Anna's insight into what publishers and readers are looking for, and also what makes a great story, is a powerful combination. Her ability to marry these priorities and make suggestions that may lead to improvements in both these areas would be a valuable asset to any writer, but was especially enlightening for an unpublished writer like myself. I cannot recommend Anna highly enough, she is like antivirus software for your manuscript.
– Tim Cove, author of the Riftgate series
I gained more in one Developmental Edit from Anna, than I have from many a Creative Writing course. Anna is straight to the point and very insightful. I wish I had paid for a service such as this years ago. This is the missing link for many writers who are yet to be published and looking for clear feedback on their work.
– Emma McGuire, pre-published Middle Grade author
Languages
English (UK)
Fiction
Coming of Age
Contemporary Fiction
Fantasy
Middle Grade
Middle Grade Fantasy
Science Fiction
Young Adult Fantasy
Certifications
- BA in English Literature from Oxford University
- MA in Russian Studies from University College London
Work experience
Freelance
N/A
April, 2015
–
Present
(over 6 years)
I have been freelancing since April 2015, as well as having freelanced previously from 2008 to 2011. In addition to individual authors, my recent clients include HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Scholastic and various divisions of Hachette.
Commissioning Editor
Octopus (Hachette)
December, 2013
–
April, 2015
(over 1 year)
Senior Editor
Carlton Books
December, 2011
–
December, 2013
(almost 2 years)
Managing Editor, fiction
Orchard (Hachette)
November, 2010
–
December, 2011
(about 1 year)
Editor, fiction and brands
Egmont
December, 2005
–
June, 2008
(over 2 years)
Portfolio (14 selected works)
Code Name Bananas
David Walliams
Go back in time with No. 1 bestselling author David Walliams for a whizz-bang epic adventure of action, laughter and secret plots – and the extraordinary friendship between a little boy and a huge gorilla that just might save the day... 1940. Britain is at war with Nazi Germany. Eleven-year-old Eric spends his days at the place that makes him most happy: London Zoo. And there’s one animal in p... read more
An Atlas of Tolkien
David Day
This lavish, colour atlas is a complete guide to the weird and wonderful geography of Tolkien's world. Packed with full page maps and illustrations of events in the annals of Middle-earth, it is the perfect companion to the bestselling A Dictionary of Tolkien. This book is unofficial and is not authorised by the Tolkien Estate or HarperCollins Publishers.
Twelve deadly Trials. A race for immortality. Her last chance for revenge.Olympus is a beautiful but dangerous place, controlled by twelve gods wielding unlimited power. Now they have devised the a new kind of entertainment; a chance for their favourites to compete in twelve Trials to win the ultimate prize - immortality.Lyssa didn’t think the Gods knew who she was, until she was chosen to try... read more
A sequel to A A Milne's original 'Winnie-the-Pooh' stories. It takes you back to the Hundred Acre Wood for more adventures.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
Jessica Townsend
An instant New York Times bestseller!"Poignant....A Harry Potter-esque adventure." --Time Magazine A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world--but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born,... read more
Radio Silence
Alice Oseman
The second novel by the phenomenally talented author of Solitaire, Alice Oseman - the most talked-about YA writer right now. What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong? Frances has always been a study machine with one goal, elite university. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret - not even the person she is on the inside. But when Frances meets Aled, the s... read more
Head Kid
David Baddiel
Illustrations Steven LentonFrom David Baddiel, bestselling author of THE PARENT AGENCY and BIRTHDAY BOY comes a wildly entertaining wish-fulfilment adventure that asks the question: what would happen if the strictest head teacher swapped bodies with the naughtiest kid in school?Strictest head naughtiest boy = chaos.Bracket Wood is about to be visited by the school inspectors. But there's one b... read more
Forever Geek (Geek Girl)
Holly Smale
My name is Harriet Manners and I'll be a geek forever... The FINAL book in the bestselling, award-winning GEEK GIRL series is here! Harriet Manners knows almost every fact there is. Modelling isn't a sure-fire route to popularity. Neither is making endless lists.The people you love don't expect you to transform into someone else.Statistically you are more likely to not meet your Australian ex-... read more
Angelica the Angel Fairy
Daisy Meadows
Get ready for an exciting fairy adventure with the no. 1 bestselling series for girls aged 5 and up. Angelica the Angel Fairy makes sure we all treat each other kindly at Christmas time. But when Jack Frost steals her magic items, everyone from Brownies to the residents of an old folks' home start acting up! Can Kirsty and Rachel restore order in time for Christmas?'These stories are magic; th... read more
Unicorn Valley
Rosie Banks
Enter a magical world of friendship and fun!In the second book of the series, Ellie, Summer and Jasmine are very excited to visit the Secret Kingdom again! Wicked Queen Malice has hidden a thunderbolt in Unicorn Valley. Can the girls help their unicorn friends save the magical land from hundreds of greedy caterpillars...? Secret Kingdom is a brand new series full of the things girls love most:... read more
Hubert Horatio: How to Raise Your Grown-Ups
Lauren Child
Hubert Horatio Bartle Bobton-Trent is back in this hilarious and gloriously illustrated book for ages six and up from the superstar creator of Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola, Lauren Child. “These stories are about the days when the Bobton-Trents had it cushy, very cushy indeed.” The Bobton-Trent seniors certainly know how to make the most of their extravagant wealth – socialising, doing thi... read more
Robin Hood: Hacking, Heists & Flaming Arrows
Robert Muchamore
A town. A forest. A hero. You can't go far without a quick brain and some rule-bending in a place like Locksley. After its vast car plants shut down, the prosperous town has become a wasteland of empty homes, toxic land and families on the brink. And it doesn't help that the authorities are in the clutches of profit-obsessed Sheriff of Nottingham, in cahoots with underworld boss Guy Gisborne.W... read more
Katie Watson and the Painter's Plot
Mez Blume
“Sherlock meets Shakespeare in this time-travel, murder mystery with a twist of magic.” Visiting an old manor house is hardly Katie’s idea of an adventure. But then, Otterly Manor isn’t just any old house… When an enchanted painting whisks Katie back in time to Shakespeare’s England, she lands in the middle of a perilous adventure beyond her wildest imagination. With the help of Princess Sophi... read more
Alessia in Atlantis: The Forbidden Vial
Laine, Nathalie
Anna has 155 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Not a good match for me. Nothing bad to say just not a good match. The editor I got subsequent was better able to chisel my mess into something good.
Season C, November 2021
I sent my story to both Anna and a beta reader. Much of Anna's feedback was boiler plate for any MG or YA novel. She did give me a list of other MG novels that she likes, and that she thought I could use as examples. One of the major "faults" she found in my story was the lack of a villain to be defeated. Several of the books she recommended also had no villain to be defeated. The beta reader ...
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Lois Wickstrom, November 2021
This was my third book with Anna, and, as always, Anna exceeded my expectations in regards to the quality of insights, thoroughness of analysis, and recommended improvements. I’m learning a lot from Anna, and hugely grateful for all the coaching and advice. If you haven’t done so yet, please check out her wonderful book, Rapids, which I use as my desk-top manual on how to write quality YA. A h...
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Olga Vrublevskaya, November 2021
Working with Anna has been incredible. Her editorial report was thorough and helped greatly in showing how to improve my draft. She is punctual and incredibly detailed in her work.
Kate Dramis, November 2021
Anna's industry knowledge and writing expertise was invaluable. She was prompt, honest, and thoroughly thoughtful and I will be a better writer for it. I will definitely seek her counsel again!
Jill Rosen, November 2021
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