Overview
I have worked in non-fiction publishing for over 20 years for leading companies such as PenguinRandomHouse, Bloomsbury and HarperCollins. I have been a Senior Acquisitions Editor and a Managing Editor, and I've worked with many high-profile authors, including Michaela Coel, Vex King, Fred Sirieix, Deborah James, the Dalai Lama, and a former prime minister.
I specialise in food, health, parenting, wellbeing, popular psychology and fitness books, but as every book is new and unique, please do get in touch if your book is not in these areas, too. My Reedsy ratings are all 5-star.
I can edit to your brief - whether you want a proofread, a structural edit, help with cutting your book, or anything else you can think of!
I love working with first-time authors and know that your book is a culmination of months of hard work. My aim is to make the editing process collaborative and enjoyable, and that you end up with a book that is at UK/US industry professional standard.
If you plan to submit a proposal/pitch to agents, I can advise on your cover letter, contents list and sample chapters, as I know what publishers are looking for. You only get one shot at pitching so it pays to get it right.
What my authors say about me:
"Not only did you help cut the text down by over 20%, make the book more visually and textually readable, and ask questions that made me think more deeply about how to introduce concepts, I learned more about the craft of publishing and editing from you. It was reassuring to be in such professional hands, and it was truly a pleasure and an honor to work with you. Somehow you did all of this on a blistering timeline and still managed to be cheerful and delightful to work with - bravo!"
"Thank you SO much Becky! I couldn't have done it without you. You've been an absolute rock. Calm, encouraging and patient. I could never have got to this point without your brilliance. So grateful."
"I feel so lucky to have had you at the helm, steering my book safely through to publication. When I say you have been brilliant, I mean it: always prompt to reply, patient and kind and encouraging, and professional in everything you have done with those eagle eyes and gentle talons."
Recent books include:
Manifesto, Michaela Coel
The new hot, Meg Matthews, Penguin RH
Little veggie eats, Rachel Boyett, Penguin RH
The four thoughts that fxxx you up, Daniel Fryer, Penguin RH
The modern midwife, Marie Louise, Penguin RH
The depression cure, Stephen S Ilardi, Penguin RH
Find your voice, Caroline Goyder, Penguin RH
The energy plan, James Collins, Penguin RH
F*** you cancer, Deborah James, Penguin RH
Ageless body, timeless mind (new edition), Dr Deepak Chopra, Penguin RH
Fear Less, Dr Pippa Grange, Penguin Random House
Services
Non-Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- BA Hons English Literature and Language
- The Publishing Centre Commissioning and List Management
- The Publishing Centre Copy Editing
Work experience
Penguin Random House
Acquisitions for PRH, buying 14 books a year. Pitching ideas to the acquisitions board. Managing team of in-house editors. Structural editing. Author support.
Penguin Random House
Senior Acquisitions Editor for PRH, buying book for the wellbeing and health list.
Self-employed
Freelance consultant editor for PRH, Ebury and independent authors.
PenguinRandomHouse DK
Senior Acquisitions editor, responsible for buying 14 books, working with agents, pitching to sales teams, managing a team of in-house editors, briefing jacket designs, and managing freelancers.
Bloomsbury
Managing Editor in the adult non-fiction and fiction team (Alexandra Pringle's list) which includes literary novels, food, biography and thrillers. I project-managed a Sunday Times bestseller, Philip Larkin, Life, Art and Love, by James Booth and edited or proofread many more including a thriller set in Tuscany, an illustrated book about Gallipoli, an agent's memoir and cookery titles.
Self-employed
Freelance senior editor and proofreader for leading UK publishers including Penguin Random House (Vermilion, Ebury and Dorling Kindersley), Bloomsbury and Nourish. I have been part of the commissioning team in Penguin and Bloomsbury so have a real understanding of what publishers are looking for.
Dorling Kindersley
Worked in-house at Dorling Kindersley (now part of Penguin Random House) on various non-fiction projects including The Fairtrade Cookbook, Nutrition for Life and A Slice of Organic Life. Edited many children's food titles too, including many by Annabel Karmel.
Becky has 25 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
mark L.
Nov, 2024
Raja R.
Oct, 2024
Blake A.
Oct, 2024
Anya J.
Aug, 2024
Andrea B.
Jun, 2024
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