Celia Killen

Celia Killen – Editor

Romance & Crime Fiction Editor previously working with bestselling and award-winning authors at Penguin Random House and Hachette.

Overview

Hello! I’m Celia, a British-Australian fiction editor with several years’ experience working with award-winning and bestselling authors in Big 5 publishing houses. I specialise in commercial fiction, with a particular passion for romantic comedy and murder mystery.



WHAT TO EXPECT


· Friendly & supportive collaboration – I’m here to help you and am always happy to chat through my approach, the editing process and tips on navigating the publishing industry.


· Detailed, comprehensive feedback – Whether it’s big-picture structural edits or careful line-by-line polishing, I’m committed to helping make your book the best it can be and will work hard to provide valuable, actionable edits that chime with your vision for your story.


· A creative & personalised approach – I'll work closely with you to ensure you get the most value from the editorial experience, listening to your needs and adapting the process to help you achieve your writing goals, whether that's to self-publish, land an agent, or just tell a really great story.


If I sound like a good fit for your project then I’d love to hear from you!



TESTIMONIALS


"Celia has a great energy and a gentle, wise approach. She has so much tact, a great eye for detail and she genuinely cares for you and your manuscript. She's got a gift for hearing you, hearing your target demographic, and helping your book to be it's best and land where it should. Infinity out of 10. You should absolutely work with this woman."

Jessa Hastings, author of MAGNOLIA PARKS


"Celia possesses incredible insight and intuition and has an astonishing ability to see both the overall picture and the minutest of detail. Every suggestion she made was a vast improvement not just to the specific book we were working on at the time, but to the vision of the series as a whole. I would unreservedly and wholeheartedly recommend her as an editor and as a mentor."

Chris Lloyd, author of the award-winning Occupation series


"The most conscientious, focused and sympathetic editor I have ever had the pleasure of working with. We completed four novels together, and each one was enormously improved by her direction, input, suggestions and recommendations. Her efficiency and professionalism is unmatched. I would not hesitate - not for a second - in recommending her in any editorial capacity."

RJ Ellory, award-winning and bestselling author of A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS


"Celia is the best Historical editor I've had in ten years. She is exacting yet courteous, thoughtful, imaginative, and yet completely respectful of my creative process. I can't imagine a better editor."

Christian Cameron, author of the critically acclaimed Chivalry series

Services
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Romance Cozy Mysteries Historical Fiction Historical Mysteries Psychological Thriller
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 2023 — Present

Orion Books, Hachette UK

Jan, 2023 — Oct, 2023 (10 months)

Orion Books, Hachette UK

Jan, 2022 — Dec, 2022 (12 months)

Orion Books, Hachette UK

Sep, 2020 — Dec, 2021 (over 1 year)

Transworld, Penguin Random House UK

Jul, 2017 — Sep, 2020 (about 3 years)

Portfolio

Copy Editing
Paris Requiem

Lloyd, Chris

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Blood Sisters

Cate Quinn

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Reasonable People

Caroline Hulse

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Bell Tower

R.J. Ellory

LIFE ON DEATH ROW TAKES ITS TOLL.UNTIL YOU CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE... Death Row duty comes with three simple rules: Do not make it personal Do not question the system Do not take justice into yo... read more
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
THE BRAND NEW NOVEL IN THE AWARD-WINNING OCCUPATION SERIES, FEATURING DETECTIVE EDDIE GIRALIn Paris 1940, survival means sacrifice. Like most in the city, Detective Eddie Giral has already los... read more
Developmental Editing
Never (Never, 1)

Hastings, Jessa

Copy Editing
The Last Highway

R.J. Ellory

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing

Professionals similar to Celia

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

Michael Weatherhead

Michael W.

I have close to fifteen years of senior editorial experience and have turned countless manuscripts into successful books.

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Alyssa Matesic

Alyssa M.

Passionate book editor who's worked with bestselling authors at Penguin Random House on thrillers, historical fiction, and book club reads.

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Janice Braunstein

Janice B.

Editor with 25+ years of publishing experience working with Kensington, Hachette, Signet, and Dutton on mysteries, romance, memoirs, etc.

Boulder, CO, USA

100% reply rate

View profile