Overview
My work and life experience includes over ten years as an office manager, which I juggle with raising two lively boys, so diligence, accuracy and working to schedules are key skills in my repertoire! My approach to freelance working involves clear communication, friendly professionalism and flexibility.
I studied English and French at the University of Southampton, worked as a teacher of English as a second language before qualifying as a copy-editor with the Publishing Training Centre in London. My love of language makes me a stickler for details and rules while also recognising the beauty of the written word in its different forms. Clients appreciate both the standard and reliability of my work and come back to me again and again with new projects.
My sons like to tease me about my need for 'me time' - this is when I sit down with a cup of Earl Grey, a biscuit or two and a good book! I love cosying up with a quaint mystery, a clever thriller or an insightful coming-of-age novel, and I'm just as happy reading about self-improvement or honing a skill or craft.
If you have written a book and are ready to open that door and let someone else take a look, you can trust me to offer constructive advice on polishing your work. Check out the sections below for an idea of the genres I specialise in.
Services
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- Skills in Copy-editing (The Publishing Training Centre)
- BA in English and French (University of Southampton)
Work experience
Self-employed
In 2015 I had the pleasure of meeting successful self-published author Alison Morton, and since then I have worked on ten of her titles, including several in the award-winning Roma Nova series. The Historical Novel Society selected two of these – Aurelia and Insurrectio – as Editor's Choices, and Aurelia was a finalist in the 2016 HNS Indie award.
I have continued to enjoy a working relationship with Summersdale Publishers, the 2014 IPG Independent Trade Publisher of the Year, as a freelance editor.
I have also worked on several titles for Quid, an imprint of Quarto Publishing, including guides on gardening, parenting and the Bible.
Summersdale Publishers
My editing story began with Summersdale Publishers, joining them on a work experience placement, then being employed as an editorial assistant before being promoted to managing editor. I have worked with high-profile writers including Edward Enfield (father of Harry), on his travel memoir Greece On My Wheels, and Neil Sinclair, on his parenting guide Commando Dad, apparently used by Prince William!
Other successful travel writers I have worked with include Tom Anderson, a successful competitive surfer who has written acclaimed travelogues on his surfing adventures around the world and the UK, and Australian author John Ahern, on his hilarious and also touching account of a journey through 30 countries: On the Road... With Kids.
With Summersdale I have worked on a variety of book genres which also include self-help, gift and humour, food, drink and cookery, and hobbies.
Tucker Slingsby
Portfolio
