Overview
Hello!
I'm a Fiction Editor with almost 10 years of publishing experience. While I read very widely and have worked across adult fiction, licensing and non-fiction, my heart lies in children's fiction. I love the magic, escapism and the real range. From cute, glittery unicorn books to gritty, emotional YA stories that rearrange your heart and stay with you for years.
I currently work at HarperCollins, on titles for children aged 5+ all the way to Young Adult crossover. Before this I was Penguin Random House for several years.
I’ve published and worked on NYT and Sunday Times bestselling books including This Woven Kingdom and Beasts of Prey and with authors like B.B. Alston and Jacqueline Wilson. As well as on household brands like Doctor Who. I’ve also had the pleasure of discovering and editing amazing debuts such as The Upper World and This Place is Still Beautiful.
Having worked with many authors at different stages in their writing careers, from un-agented talents to publishing giants, I understand that each title and author is a unique one, so I enjoy getting to know my author’s vision for their book intimately and collaborating closely to help bring their idea to life. Including adapting my working style seamlessly for every project, like offering extra support and guidance to newer writers.
I offer any level of developmental editing you require so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions or queries you might have. I’d love to work with you to shape your story and take it to the next level!
Services
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- 2022 Brandford Boase Award: Shortlisted for Editor Award
Certifications
- Publishing Training Centre: Proofreading
- Publishing Training Centre: Copyediting
- PRH Copy Writing Course
- London School of Publishing Book Editing
Work experience
HarperCollins Children's, Farshore
- Commissioning and managing titles for 5+ to Young Adult from conception to finished product
- Ensuring the highest possible standard of editing, including developmental editing, copyediting and proofreading
- Working very closely with my authors, keeping them involved at every step to create a book that they're very proud of
- Presenting and pitching my authors and titles to sales teams and reps for sell-in to bookshops
- Working with Design to select the perfect illustrator and look from book covers to illustrated fiction
Penguin Random House Children's
- Acquiring and commissioning diverse and exciting new titles (6+ to Young Adult, across fiction and non-fiction)
- Managing the publication of multiple titles; editing, collaborating with Design and Sales to create the perfect package and writing all the sales copy, pitch, blurb etc.
- Leading the full Doctor Who publishing for 2020-22; pitching ideas for new titles, acquiring new writers and editing every title
Penguin Michael Joseph
- Line editing and structural editing manuscripts
- Managing communication with authors across women's fiction, crime and contemporary fiction
- Overseeing the Pittacus Lore publishing strategy and driving the rebranding and positioning of the series
- Assisting the publishing director and several editorial directors
Hot Key Books and Piccadilly Press later Bonnier Zaffre
- Proofreading and copyediting Piccadilly Press titles
- Reading and reporting on manuscripts
- Working with sales, marketing and pr to create marketing material, write monthly newsletter and rights guide for adult and children's books
Portfolio
Asmaa has 1 review
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
Helen O.
Nov, 2023
