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 in March 2021, 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.
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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to improvements in both these areas would be a valuable asset to any writer, but was especially enlightening for an unpublished writer like myself.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 in March 2021, 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.
***
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
Contemporary Fiction
Fantasy
Middle Grade
Middle Grade Fantasy
Picture Books
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
(almost 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 (13 selected works)
The Ice Monster
David Walliams
From No. 1 bestselling children's author, David Walliams comes his 11th novel and his biggest and most epic adventure yet!Illustrated by the artistic genius Tony Ross.This is the story of a ten-year-old orphan and a 10,000-year-old mammoth...Read all about it! Read all about it!ICE MONSTER FOUND IN ARCTIC!When Elsie, an orphan on the streets of Victorian London, hears about the mysterious Ice ... 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
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
Hubert Horatio: How to Raise Your Grown-Ups
Lauren Child
2: Unicorn Valley (Secret Kingdom)
Rosie Banks
Unicorn Valley
A sequel to A A Milne's original 'Winnie-the-Pooh' stories. It takes you back to the Hundred Acre Wood for more adventures.
Angelica the Angel Fairy (Rainbow Magic)
Daisy Meadows
Angelica the Angel Fairy
Futureworld: Tomorrow's Technology Today
Joel Levy
Where will we be in 2025? This book reveals the technology that's in prototype today, and will be commonplace tomorrow. Whether it's flying cars, space tourism, nanobots or airships, it reveals an exciting and totally real vision of a future that is almost within our grasp.
***DOWNLOAD THE AUDIOBOOK FREE! See inside or visit www.mezblume.com/audiobook/ for details*** Sherlock Holmes meets Shakespeare in this time-travel murder mystery with a twist of magic. Eleven-year-old Katie is sure her summer is doomed. Sheltered because of her injuries from a horse riding accident, she longs to break free on an adventure like the ones in her favourite detective novels. Inst... read more
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
Anna has 131 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
This was my second time working with Anna, which goes to show how much I value her help. Like before, Anna was efficient and thorough with her work. The task on this occasion was brief, but Anna managed to go into precise detail, pinpointing what changes would improve my work. I have no complaints and lots of praise!
Liam Findlay, January 2021
Hiring Anna was hands down one of the best decisions I’ve ever made when it comes to my writing.
I’m a penny pincher to the very end, but Anna’s expertise was worth every cent. I’m so glad I had her take a look at my YA sci fi/fantasy manuscript and offer a developmental assessment before I started querying agents. She saved me so much time and heartbreak. I now know exactly what I need to do ...
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Morgan Randall, December 2020
I worked with Anna on an editorial review of a YA novel. She was prompt and professional throughout our correspondence and her review was comprehensive, balanced, fair and forensic. Her knowledge of the genre and market, including its difficulties was excellent, and her suggestions for editorial changes were insightful and incredibly helpful. I have learnt so much from Anna's review and am a...
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Sophie-C Cooper, December 2020
I was very impressed by Anna and her professionalism. I got exactly what I wanted from our development editing cooperation (and in fact much more than originally expected). As a high-quality professional, Anna is providing both: observations on characters, their arcs, plot cohesion, genre etc. as well as recommendations on possible improvement paths. Anna understands the market really well and...
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Olga Vrublevskaya, December 2020
i only worked once with Anna but the advice she gave me is so clear and so helpful that I am still using it today.
thank you for your help.
dina abdoulaye, December 2020
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