Becky Alexander

Becky Alexander – Editor

Senior Acquisitions Editor, PenguinRandomHouse. Ex Managing Editor for Bloomsbury and HarperCollins UK.

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
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Health & Wellbeing Parenting & Families
Languages
English (UK)
Certifications
  • BA Hons English Literature and Language
  • The Publishing Centre Commissioning and List Management
  • The Publishing Centre Copy Editing

Work experience

Penguin Random House

Oct, 2023 — Nov, 2023 (about 1 month)

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

Oct, 2022 — Nov, 2023 (about 1 year)

Senior Acquisitions Editor for PRH, buying book for the wellbeing and health list.

Self-employed

Oct, 2022 — Present

Freelance consultant editor for PRH, Ebury and independent authors.

PenguinRandomHouse DK

Sep, 2022 — Sep, 2023 (12 months)

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

Mar, 2015 — Oct, 2015 (7 months)

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

Jan, 2008 — Present

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

Jan, 2004 — Feb, 2011 (about 7 years)

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.

Portfolio

F*** You Cancer

Deborah James

More Home Comforts introduces 100 new recipes from James Martin, favourites that you will want to cook time and time again.This brand new book features super-fast Instant Comforts, including Pea and Parmesan Soup and Keralan Prawns; Sharing Comforts for when y... read more
Philip Larkin was that rare thing among poets: a household name in his own lifetime. Lines such as 'Never such innocence again' and 'Sexual intercourse began / In nineteen sixty-three' made him one of the most popular poets of the last century. Larkin's reputa... read more
Bursting with quick, simple and deliciously healthy recipes, "Healthy Speedy Suppers"will inspire anyone who feels too tired or busy to cook at the end of the day.Katriona MacGregor started her Speedy Weeknight Suppers column for"The Telegraph"online in 2013, ... read more

Becky has 16 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Bar A.

Bar A.

Mar, 2024

Working with Becky on the editing and development of my book was an incredible experience. Her expertise was not only evident in her meticulous editing but also in her invaluable suggestions that significantly enriched the book's content. Becky's deep understanding of the subject matter allowed her to offer insights that were crucial for enhancing the reader's experience. Her contributions went...
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Becky A.
Thank you Bar for your kind words. I have no doubt your book will help many people and look forward to seeing it out in the world.
Dancy S.

Dancy S.

Mar, 2024

Working with Becky was a breeze. She was timely, responsive, proficient and offered good suggestions and guidance. Thanks, Becky.
Robert S.

Robert S.

Dec, 2023

What can I say about Becky? There is only one, Brilliant. Whatever I needed to Edit my book, was done. Becky was on the same wavelength as myself and she was living in my brain. All her suggestions to make it a better read were spot on, that's not to say I agreed with all of them. As she said this is your book, not mine, you decide. It was an absolute pleasure working with Becky, I can highly ...
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Becky A.
Thank you Bob, your lovely review has made my day. Don’t stay up all night writing book 2 (but you probably will!)
Andrea B.

Andrea B.

Dec, 2023

Becky has been very re-assuring and kind to me with my insecurities as a first time writer. She suggests corrections in a way that you feel supported and encouraged. I was looking forward to her edits and am eager to continue writing and editing with her. I can whole-heartedly recommend her editing services.
Becky A.
Andrea was a pleasure to work for. Andrea's book is well-written, interesting, and it deserves to find many readers.
Hector S.

Hector S.

Jan, 2023

I greatly enjoyed working with Becky.

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