Callum Crute

Callum Crute – Editor

Developmental and line editor of multiple #1 Sunday Times bestsellers, with a decade's experience at the world's biggest publishing house.

Overview

I have worked in the publishing industry for almost a decade, with an enviable track record of commissioning and editing brilliant nonfiction books (including multiple Sunday Times and international bestsellers). And after reading and evaluating more book pitches than I can count, I know just what it takes to make yours stand out!

I love working collaboratively with authors at every step of their publishing journey, supporting them with whatever they might need: whether that's helping to craft a proposal, guiding someone out of a bout of writer's block, or finessing a finished manuscript.

My interests are eclectic and the titles I have worked on cover the breadth of nonfiction publishing – sport, history, memoir and biography, humour, spirituality, business, true crime, self-help and personal development, and popular science to name a few.

So if your book is currently just the beginnings of an idea, or if it's almost ready to go out to agents and publishers, I'd love to speak to you and help you take your next step!

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment Health & Wellbeing History Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sports & Outdoors
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Penguin Random House UK

Jan, 2023 — Apr, 2025 (over 2 years)
Commissioned and edited commercial nonfiction titles across a wide range of genres, including multiple Sunday Times bestsellers. I evaluated and responded to new proposals and query letters, worked with prospective authors to craft and refine new book proposals, provided top-class structural and line edits, and led the publishing team through to publication day and beyond. Books I worked on included the #1 bestsellers WHAT'S YOUR DREAM by Simon Squibb and THIS BOOK MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE by Dr Karan Rajan, the hilarious and satirical history book THE GREATEST NOBODIES OF HISTORY by comedian Adrian Bliss, and the groundbreaking HOW TO WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE by Ian Graham, dubbed one of the modern sporting classics.

Penguin Random House UK

Oct, 2020 — Dec, 2022 (about 2 years)
- Supported the Publisher on a variety of bestselling commercial nonfiction titles - Read and reported on submissions from agents and prospective authros - Worked on structural edits and line edits alongside the Publisher - Worked with authors on copyedits and proofreads - Wrote pitches, cover copy, and marketing materials for new books

Portfolio

How to Win the Premier League

Ian Graham

Random House

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER AND A FINANCIAL TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024'The best book on football I have ever read' Daniel Finkelstein'Fascinating and educational. ... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Greatest Nobodies of History

Adrian Bliss

Cornerstone

Discover the 'Horrible Histories for adults', Sunday Times bestselling guide to the forgotten heroes of history, the perfect gift or funny stocking filler for the history lover in your life.'A... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
This Book May Save Your Life

Dr Karan Rajan

Cornerstone

THE #1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'When you want to sort medical fact from medical fiction, Dr Karan is your man. This is the only book that will have you laughing and learning in equal measure' D... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
What's Your Dream?

Simon Squibb

Cornerstone

'Simon loves dreams and he wants you to live yours. This book will stop you from giving up on your goals and start building the life you want' Jay Shetty, #1 New York Times and Sunday Times be... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Would It Surprise You To Know...?

Ronnie Archer-Morgan

Cornerstone

'Ronnie has overcome a heart-breaking start in life to achieve great success and no one deserves it more. What a dude, what a life!' - Fiona Bruce'Brilliant...a mercurial memoir of a meritorio... read more
Developmental Editing
The Brain Health Puzzle Book

Alzheimer's Society

Random House

Not just good for you. Hugely challenging and hugely enjoyable - Jeremy VineSolve over 150 mind-bending puzzles - and boost your brain health at the same time!Challenge your memory, test your ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Long Covid Handbook

Gez Medinger

Random House

Understand, manage, and treat Long Covid.Reports suggest that over 100m people around the world are living with Long Covid (more than 1.5m in the UK) yet reliable, clear information and guidan... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Ramadan Planner

Dina Aziz

Random House

An essential guide to devotion and growth in the holy month of Ramadan.Ramadan isn't just about not eating for prolonged periods of time, it's about working on ourselves - our character and im... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
The Armchair General World War One

John Buckley

Random House

‘The Armchair General team has done it again. An absorbing read for Christmas.’Peter Caddick-Adams‘Brilliant and immersive.’Harry SidebottomThe second book in the Armchair General series, wher... read more
Developmental Editing
My Wrexham Story

Paul Mullin

Random House

The memoir from Wrexham's star player, Paul Mullin - as seen in Welcome to Wrexham, a Disney+ documentary series by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.In July 2021, shortly after being named Lea... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment

Callum has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Erika C.

Erika C.

Dec, 2025

I really appreciated Callum's suggestions and notes!
Joel B.

Joel B.

Nov, 2025

Callum has been amazing to work with. Not only did he give me a great outline and an overall impression, but went through with further suggestions and corrections that I really needed. His background and expertise was excellent and I was seriously surprised and pleased with how effective and prod...
Read more
Priscilla A.

Priscilla A.

Nov, 2025

Working with Callum has been an exceptional experience. From the start, it was clear that he genuinely cared about the work and understood its depth and immediately cited parts of the book he connected with. His feedback was thoughtful, precise, and rooted in real expertise. It never felt like he...
Read more
Jeremy A.

Jeremy A.

Sep, 2025

Thanks for the help! Enjoyable discussions and good to progressively work things out together
gemma B.

gemma B.

Jul, 2025

Callum exceeded each and every one of my expectations. I felt like he truly understood my book and its central message. He saw areas of improvement that I was totally blind to, and left me with a slew of really pertinent feedback. His work has a fantastic level of detail and thoroughness to it...
Read more

Professionals similar to Callum

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

Megan Staunton

Megan S.

Literary agent specialising in non-fiction: personal development, mind, body, spirit and memoir. Previously at Penguin Random House.

Colchester, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Elise Smith

Elise S.

NEW to Reedsy! Helped 355 authors/founders turn dream books into reality. Including a NYTimes Bestseller and a book to film with 1.3M views

Austin, TX, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Simon Monk

Simon M.

Sunday Times best-selling book editor specialising in non-fiction. Award-winning titles in sport, true crime and biography genres.

Liverpool, UK

100% reply rate

View profile