Cat Cobain – Editor

I’m a fiction editor with more than twenty years experience of commissioning, editing and publishing, at Penguin Random House (Transworld) as a Publishing Director, Hachette UK (Headline) as Associate Publisher and as a freelancer including for top publishers Bookouture and Orion Books. I moved back to my hometown in Northern Ireland a few years ago and now work entirely on a freelance basis as a developmental editor, line editor and copy editor. I also love working on general publishing consultations and reviewing author submission packages (agent letters, biographies and sample chapters).

I am passionate about helping authors with almost any aspect of their writing at any stage of the process! I find working at the developmental stage so rewarding, helping authors see when and how to move their story on to maintain page-turning pace, working on how to create drama and tension through plot hooks and turns, and how to tie it all up into that satisfying finale. I also enjoy close line editing where I can support writers to get their work to a professionally polished state.

I’ve been lucky enough to work in some of the most successful divisions of the world’s biggest publishers, working on fiction strategy and my personal passions – growing new names into established authors and helping authors to find good publishing homes and successful careers. I'm always open to discussing a flexible approach to what an individual writer needs.