Anna Bowles

Anna Bowles – Editor

I have 10+ years' experience working on children's and YA writing at UK publishers including Hachette and HarperCollins.

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, was longlisted for the 2022 Branford Boase award. 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!


My fees for work on YA and Middle Grade manuscripts are variable. For any manuscript under 2,000 words I can offer an editorial assessment report covering plot, characterisation, language and market context for a flat fee of £180.


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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to improvements in both these areas would be a valuable asset to any writer, but was especially enlightening for an unpublished writer like myself.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


Your report has been the most valuable Masterclass I could have invested in and I am so happy that I decided to go this route.

– Lisa Opatrny-Botha, pre-published Middle Grade author

Services
Fiction
Coming of Age Contemporary Fiction Fantasy Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy Picture Books Social & Family Issues Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (UK)
Certifications
  • BA in English Literature from Oxford University
  • MA in Russian Studies from University College London

Work experience

Self-employed

Apr, 2015 — Present

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.

Octopus (Hachette)

Dec, 2013 — Apr, 2015 (over 1 year)

Carlton Books

Dec, 2011 — Dec, 2013 (almost 2 years)

Orchard (Hachette)

Nov, 2010 — Dec, 2011 (about 1 year)

Egmont

Dec, 2005 — Jun, 2008 (over 2 years)

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
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 a... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
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 ... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
‘Walliams balances high comedy with an emotional message’ Daily Mail ‘Walliams does comedy with profound, genuine heart’ Guardian The new children’s book from No. 1 bestselling author David Wa... read more
Proofreading
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 ... read more
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Rapids

Anna Bowles

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... read more
Proofreading
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 w... read more
Developmental Editing
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 ... read more
Copy Editing
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... read more
Proofreading
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... read more
Copy Editing
A sequel to A A Milne's original 'Winnie-the-Pooh' stories. It takes you back to the Hundred Acre Wood for more adventures.
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment

Anna has 220 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Susan P.

Susan P.

Feb, 2024

Pinned
I have given Anna Bowles 5 stars for every aspect of her response to my request for an Editorial Assessment of my project. In truth, however, Anna exceeded in all of these and had I been able, I would have doubled all my star ratings to 10! Her response time was immediate, and for the actual report only a few days. She was extremely generous with her time and expertise, allowing me to ask 12 ...
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Tillie D.

Tillie D.

Feb, 2024

Pinned
Anna has truly been a standout professional. Her expertise in the subject matter is nothing short of impressive, she undeniably knows her stuff! What sets Anna apart is not just her in-depth understanding of the young fiction market but also her candid approach. She brings a breath of fresh air with her honest and detailed insights. The quality of Anna's insights is also really noteworthy. She...
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Laurens W.

Laurens W.

Jun, 2023

Pinned
Professional, concise and fair. As a first time writer I was worried about my work being completely dismantled. Although I have a lot of work to do, Anna struck a great balance between positive and constructive feedback, providing me with what I need to build my project in the right direction. Given Anna's experience, you can be sure that the guidance given is of a high quality. I will certain...
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N C.

N C.

Sep, 2024

Anna is a savant who reads/writes at superhuman pace. Her critique reflects her mastery of prose, and her extensive knowledge of the MG/YA literature has filled up my TBR. I also appreciated her willingness to answer up to 20 questions after the developmental edit. She tells it like it is, rather than what you want to hear. That’s why I selected her as my editor. If you want someone who will c...
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David A.

David A.

Sep, 2024

When I was looking for an editor to help me with my first book, I didn't know what I wanted, but Anna helped me understand what I needed for my book and provided exceptional service. She was great in both constructive feedback and a general copy edit, and helped me understand what I need to improve for this novel, and aspects I need to focus on for me to grow as a writer in the future. I would ...
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