Karen Ball – Editor

"Karen is one of the best editors I’ve ever worked with. Her instincts are rock-solid, her eye for detail is brilliant and her feel for the story is exceptional."

— ROSS MONTGOMERY, WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S AUTHOR OF THE YEAR

“I have always admired Karen’s editorial instincts. Her eye for the ingredients of a good story is second to none.”

— Claire Wilson, Director, Rogers, Coleridge & White literary agency

"Karen is a delight to work with and her expert eye was critical in my transition to writing for teens.”

— Alex Wheatle, author of Carnegie-longlisted Liccle Bit

“Karen is creative, efficient and a consummate professional, and I love working with her.”

— Sam Eades, Editorial Director, Simon & Schuster

With 30 years' publishing experience, I have edited two Waterstones-awarded authors, Ross Montgomery and Steve Cole, and commissioned some of the most successful children's series including Agent Zaiba Investigates, Beast Quest and Frankie's Magic Football, selling millions of copies worldwide.

I also have experience of structural edits on commercially successful adult novels, working closely with authors and publishers to crack genres from thriller to crime, romance to historical.

My strengths lie in creative collaboration, working closely with authors on structural edits and reader reports to ensure that the shape, plot, commercial hook and voice are all working as strongly as possible. I bring empathy, humour and an eye for detail to this process. My approach is relaxed and informal, whilst always professional.