Arabella Alexander

Arabella Alexander – Editor

I'm an editor specialising in fantasy, wellness, and progressive stories. I love helping authors publish stories close to their hearts.

Overview

Thanks for checking out my profile. I'm a freelance book editor trained by Chapterhouse, a member of the Chartered Institute of Editing & Proofreading, and the former editor at LID Publishing, Panoma Press, and Story Terrace. It’s my goal to help you develop as a writer and connect with your reader on a deeper level.

My philosophy as an editor is it’s your book, so your word goes. I tailor my editing approach to each client. I’ll provide supportive and honest feedback with your creative vision in mind while advising you on the logistical and financial aspects of publishing and creating a book.

I’m comfortable working across genres: past projects range from horror novels and short stories to wellbeing books. I’m particularly passionate about the fantasy genre; Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson are among my favourite authors, and I studied the Ancient Greek classics like Homer’s Iliad at university. I actively seek to work with authors from and/or representing diverse backgrounds.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY:

"Bella did a fantastic job in identifying plot developments, providing scene suggestions and tips informed by her editorial expertise, all whilst creating a safe environment for a debut novelist." – Yasmeen Cohen, author

"Bella is always a pleasure to work with. Her keen eye and passion for storytelling enable her to elevate any project to a higher standard." – Cody Collins, author

"Before talking with Bella, I had hit a wall. What Bella does so well is illuminating what you're trying to achieve with your work. She truly understands how to lead you to a personal epiphany and I strongly recommend her services to anyone who is struggling to refine their work." – Sam Bottomley, screenwriter

"Personable and professional, Bella is a delight to work with. Her eye for detail is second to none, and she brings her infectious enthusiasm to every project she takes on." – Susan Furber, author and former editorial manager at LID Publishing

ABOUT BELLA:

Stories and writing have long been cornerstones in my life. I understand how personal and emotional writing a book can be; I’ll provide supportive and honest feedback with your creative vision in mind while advising you on the logistical and financial aspects of publishing and creating a book.​

I find correcting grammatical and textual errors deeply satisfying and I love helping creatives' work to flourish. I'm confident working on any part of the editorial process, whether it requires me to provide structural advice and guidance or to weed out grammatical errors and typos which are tricky to spot.

Before working in publishing, I worked in the film and television industries for companies like Stylist Magazine and the BBC. I also worked briefly in the events and hospitality industries. When I’m not editing, reading, or writing, I’m most likely watching a character-driven TV show (my recent favourite is Kin), attempting to learn how to play guitar, or hanging out with friends.

Services
Fiction
Epic Fantasy Urban Fantasy Young Adult Fantasy
Non-Fiction
Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Chapterhouse: Copy Editing & Proofreading
  • CIEP: Intro to Fiction Editing
  • Met Film School: From Story to Screen
  • BookMachine: Successful Freelancing
  • BA Hons: Greco Roman Culture
  • A Levels: Philosophy (A*); English Lit (A); Classical Civilisation (A)
  • Starting From Zero self-publishing course

Work experience

Self-employed

Apr, 2018 — Present
I work with publishers and indie authors to create the best possible version of their books. Previous projects have ranged across genres, from wellbeing books to multi-book fantasy series. I pride myself on guiding authors through the publishing process, helping to demystify the publishing industry and help clients make informed decisions to achieve their writing goals.

Panoma Press

Jul, 2021 — Dec, 2021 (5 months)
I oversaw the editorial process for all titles, from structural edit through to print. I managed the freelance editors, liaised with authors, and collaborated closely with colleagues including our dedicated designer to ensure our titles were published to the highest standard.

LID Publishing

Jun, 2019 — Jun, 2020 (about 1 year)
I was in charge of overseeing the editorial process for all of our books, from structural edit through to print, as well as proofreading some titles myself. I managed our freelance editors and liaised with authors, external contacts and colleagues to ensure books were published on time and to a high standard. I also collated information for our bi-annual catalogues, commissioned and managed audiobook production, and oversaw foreign rights for our titles. I greatly enjoyed maximising opportunities for our authors and helping them achieve their goals.

LID Publishing

Mar, 2019 — May, 2019 (2 months)
My main duties involved creating AIs (advance information sheets) and managing metadata for each book. I uploaded title data and ebooks to platforms like Nielsen, managed the production schedule, and liaised with external contacts and sales representatives. I also managed sales and book orders as well as stock at our distributor's warehouse. A large part of my role involved problem solving, and I worked collaboratively across departments and with our authors to facilitate smooth operations.

The Chicken House

Feb, 2019 — Feb, 2019 (less than a minute)
I learnt about the various roles involved in the publishing process and what each job entails across departments. I helped with general tasks like research, filing, mailing to international publishing companies and more. I shadowed different department heads and sat in on key editorial meetings, learning all the factors to consider when creating an editorial schedule and the importance of considering a book's position in the market. I helped the rights team prepare for key books fairs, contributing to unique marketing ideas for their new titles. I also helped the editorial department by reading and assessing manuscripts, providing editorial notes and feedback on excerpts, and writing blurbs for upcoming titles.

Portfolio

Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Ultimate Guide To Magic

Andi Gladwin

Vanishing Inc.

Query Letter Review Book Coaching
The Neuro Edge : People Insights for Leaders & Practitioners

Hyland, Clive

Happiness and Humans Publishing

Proofreading Book Coaching
Book Coaching
The Helix

Cohen, Yasmeen

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading Query Letter Review Book Coaching
Proofreading
Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Olivia and The Society

Nimalan, Anusa

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Sweden Calling

McArthur, L.M

LMD Publishing

Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Agile by Choice: A workbook for leaders

Michel, Lukas

LID Publishing

Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading Book Coaching
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading

Arabella has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Antony L.

Antony L.

Oct, 2025

Arabella was fantastic to work with. She was thorough and had a great eye for detail, providing clear and informative feedback. She also shared excellent reading material to help guide me further. Highly recommended!
Ron O.

Ron O.

Jul, 2025

I truly appreciate Bella’s thorough report. Its critical nature was spot on, allowing me to see my work through the eyes of an invested reader, one who wants everything to work in a natural, progressive fashion. I am now able to identify which characters I need to laser focus on, in terms of thei...
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Anusa N.

Anusa N.

Sep, 2023

A real pleasure to meet and work with Bella. I trusted her and her advice. I would definitely recommend.
David R.

David R.

Aug, 2022

Bella was great... brilliant, insightful and encouraging. Thank you!

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