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.

Becky has 25 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

mark L.

mark L.

Nov, 2024

Becky was fast, thorough, really clear and helpful with her feedback. I particularly liked her approach being "you may benefit if you do this - but it's your choice" rather than "you should do this". Regular emphasis that this is my book and my decisions to make was super helpful. My only complaint was she didn't like all my jokes :)
Becky A.
Really enjoyed working on this book. Funny and smart, it deserves to find lots of readers.
Raja R.

Raja R.

Oct, 2024

Becky was an incredible developmental editor for my book. Her feedback was clear, insightful, and always constructive, helping to shape my manuscript into a stronger, more engaging piece without losing my voice. She was thorough, attentive, and truly understood my vision, offering invaluable suggestions that elevated the book’s structure and flow. Working with Becky was a smooth and enjoyable e...
Read more
Becky A.
It was a pleasure to work on this very interesting and timely book.
Blake A.

Blake A.

Oct, 2024

Becky was AWESOME. Not only did she do a great developmental edit, she also taught me about best practices in the business around reader experience, naming, etc... 10/10 would recommend.
Becky A.
A pleasure to work on Blake’s book - it’s interesting, timely and smart. It deserves to do well and find many readers.
Anya J.

Anya J.

Aug, 2024

Best decision I have ever made! As a first time author, I was incredibly anxious about choosing my editor and felt very out of my depths with the whole process. Becky put my mind at ease straight away. She never pressured me to do anything and is an absolute joy to work with. She is respectful and thoughtful with her edits but also not afraid to do what needs done. She has that Midas touch. ...
Read more
Becky A.
It was a true pleasure working with Anya. Anya's fresh, funny and smart memoir deserves to find a huge readership and I wish her much luck finding the right agent and publisher.
Andrea B.

Andrea B.

Jun, 2024

Becky is the best! No other for me!
Becky A.
I really enjoy working for Andrea. Her book is timely, original and insightful and I hope it finds the many readers it deserves.

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Becky and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Becky

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Gabriella Sterio

Gabriella S.

Non-fiction book editor and former publishing professional specialising in cookbooks, biography, history and self-help.

Sydney NSW, Australia

100% reply rate

View profile
Judith Kern

Judith K.

A longtime professional editor of non-fiction, I can help you to deliver your message and make your book even better than you already are.

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Lydia Stevens

Lydia S.

I'm a freelance developmental editor with a passion for nonfiction projects that are inspirational, motivational, and inspiring.

Saco, Maine, USA

100% reply rate

View profile