Britt Collins

Britt Collins – Editor

Bestselling author, veteran journalist and editor with a passion for storytelling and 25 year’s experience contributing to top publications

Overview

I’m an author and journalist specialising in style, culture, travel and conservation, and wrote an international bestseller Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man and their Journey Across America (Simon & Schuster), published in 12 countries with 27 editions translated in German, French, Italian, Swedish, Dutch, Polish, Chinese and other languages, and named by Bustle as one of the best non-fictions reads. I’m an insightful and incisive writer and editor with more than 25 years’ experience creating intelligent, impactful work across a diverse range of publications, including the Guardian, the Observer, Sunday Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Condé Nast Traveller. I've also created two trailblazing independent magazines and produced campaigns for global brands, such as Penguin Books, Calvin Klein and Vivienne Westwood.

I’m passionate about quality writing and storytelling, with a soft spot for animal stories and adventurous memoirs and biographies about people doing extraordinary things. As a writer, I know how to tell a story vividly and concisely in a way that will engage readers. As an editor, I know how to find the bare bones of the story and determine what is best for the work, polishing the prose and perfecting the author’s voice while preserving the integrity and creative vision. As a seasoned journalist and author, I know how to pitch a story and have a sense of what publishers want (my agent sent a condensed version of my book to only two of the big-five publishers and sold it in 24 hours).

Great stories are gold and I can help you tell yours — guiding a project from concept to completion. With 25+ years of writing and editing experience and a bestselling book to my name, I can assist with book proposals or back-cover copy to crafting and editing existing manuscripts into absorbing, saleable books. I'm also available for ghostwriting for non-fiction clients and can write your story in your voice and turn it into a compelling narrative.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Coming of Age Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment Inspirational Travel
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Silver medal at New York Festival Advertising Awards
Certifications
  • BA in Comparitive Literature, American University, Washington, DC and University of California, Berkeley

Work experience

Simon & Schuster

Jul, 2017 — Present

Author of Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man and Their Journey Across America, an extraordinary true story about a drifter and stray cat, published in 12 countries, with 24 editions, named “one of the best non-fictions reads” by Bustle and recommended by New York Post, the Metro, Vogue Italia, the Observer, NPR, the Mirror, Booklist and other publications.

The Guardian, Observer, Condé Traveller, Harper’s Bazaar, the Sunday Times, Travel + Leisure, the Independent, the Metro, Marie Claire, Wanderlust and Billionaire magazine

Jun, 1989 — Present

FST Publishing

Jun, 2011 — Nov, 2012 (over 1 year)

Produced a beautiful, award-winning quarterly double-cover magazine that blends insightful lifestyle features and in-depth interviews with gorgeous, edgy visuals, as well as launching the digital edition.

Centurion Publishing

May, 2011 — Nov, 2012 (over 1 year)

Worked as part of a London and Paris-based team creating and editing original features, high-profile interviews and hard-hitting reportage for the environment, style, culture and travel pages of this quarterly New York green lifestyle glossy, while concurrently editing another quartlerly publication Toni & Guy magazine.

Ink Publishing

Feb, 2010 — Jun, 2011 (over 1 year)

Relaunched Voyager, BMI airlines inflight monthly, and transformed it into a more compelling read by bringing a quirky yet glamorous perspective to its food, travel, design and lifestyle coverage and big-name writers and photographers. Voyager was chosen by CNN among the world’s best in-flight magazines as “brainy, colourful and original”.

Green Guides publishing

Jun, 2006 — Dec, 2007 (over 1 year)

Reinvinted this independent green lifestyle quarterly from its health-food-store incarnation into a sharper, glossier publication fusing sustainable living with high style and smart, fearless journalism. The Independent called Pure “flirtatiously rebellious in the face of staid green magazines” and its freshness and flair attracted stellar contributors and iconic photographers David Bailey, Peter Beard and Julian Broad. I created Pure on top of a hectic job as group editor at TIME INC.

TIME INC

May, 2004 — Jan, 2010 (over 5 years)

Led the copy desk of Time Inc’s commercial division and worked across eight women’s monthlies, including Marie Claire, InStyle, Wallpaper* and Livingetc, producing and commissioning fashion and beauty supplements and successful cross-channel campaigns for luxury brands, such as Calvin Klein, Penguin Books, Dior, Versace and Elizabeth Arden.

Self-employed

Mar, 1994 — Apr, 2004 (about 10 years)

Contributed to TIME, the Guardian, the Independent, Evening Standard, ES magazine, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Harper's & Queen, Tatler, Elle Decoration, Wallpaper*, Sleazenation, The Week, LA Confidential, Madison (Australia). I also created the digital content for Felix cat food for Ogilvy & Mather, which won a silver medal in the New York Advertising Festival.

Self-employed

Mar, 1990 — Apr, 1994 (about 4 years)

Straight out of university, I founded the London music magazine on a shoestring and turned it into a slick bi-monthly with blue-chip advertisers including Levi's and Marlboro cigarettes and corporate sponsor Rolling Rock beer. Lime Lizard became known as a fresh, authentic voice for indie music, featuring cover stars like Nirvana, REM, the Cure, the Stone Roses and launching talents such as Hollywood producer/screenwriter John Brownlow (Sylvia); Q magazine editor Ted Kessler; Emmy-nominated creative director Kevin Grady (New York agency Siegal+Gale); bestselling crime writer Lauren Henderson (Sam Jones mystery series and Jane Austen's Guide to Dating).

Portfolio

For fans of A Street Cat Named Bob and Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, “this lovely, luminous story will warm your heart and make you laugh and want to share your life with a rescue cat” (Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of The Nine E... read more
For animal lovers, nature enthusiasts, and the vast readership for gripping true-life stories, this African saga is a must-read adventure. It chronicles the unique Harnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia, where Marieta van der Merwe and her family, former wealth... read more

Britt has 32 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Melanie P.

Melanie P.

Apr, 2024

Be very careful if this is your first book and you're looking for a proofreader or line editor. I couldn't believe what Britt took upon herself to insert in my manuscript. I was not looking for others experiences to be inserted into my memoir, not even my editor did this. The first draft returned to me was full of obvious mistakes, inaccurate changes and inserted opinions. I couldn't have been ...
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Emily S.

Emily S.

Mar, 2024

Britt's editing was not only highly professional and helpful, but her insight significantly increased the quality of my manuscript. Britt was always open to communication and clarification throughout the process. As a first-time author, this stage was incredibly intimidating to me, but I felt so relieved and reassured of myself with Britt's help!
Liz E.

Liz E.

Jan, 2024

Britt was responsive and helpful. She asked about places and points in the book that added clarity. Keeping up with her version vs mine, the back and forth, was clear and easy. She gave me insight on what is standard now that may not have been 20 years ago. She offered suggestions and some rewrites. She gave me some insight on some of the processes, publishing, book cover, etc. Most appreciated...
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Arun K.

Arun K.

Jan, 2024

Britt is very good at pointing out how the book could be improved. I was happy with her responsive and clear communication. It was a pleasure to work with her. Thank you.,
Ryan P.

Ryan P.

Dec, 2023

Collaborating with Britt was one of the best decisions I've made as an amateur writer. Her comments and insight will greatly improve my manuscript, and I hope to continue working with her as my project develops.

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