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.