Claire Ormsby-Potter

Claire Ormsby-Potter – Editor

I am a commercial fiction editor with particular experience in SFF and Horror, an eye for detail and a love of stories!

Overview

My name is Claire, and I am a science fiction, fantasy and horror editor.

I have been working in publishing since 2018, primarily editing fiction. Since October 2020, I have been part of the editorial team at one of the UK’s leading SFF publishers, undertaking structural edits, proofreading and commissioning novels.

I have experience with manuscript assessment, developmental editing, copy editing and proofreading.

"Claire is AMAZING at what she does. She has an excellent eye for detail, and is especially good when it comes to SPaG and characters . . . I cannot recommend her enough"

"[Claire's] services are amazing - I cannot recommend them enough . . . She's always kind but straightforward"

"If you are working on writing something and need an objective (and kind!) perspective, Claire is amazing"

"Claire is absolutely an amazing human, incredibly smart and so wonderful to work with"

"Claire is absolutely fantastic - insightful, thoughtful, incredibly kind with feedback and thorough in picking out the good and the areas for improvement"

Services
Fiction
Fantasy Horror Humor & Comedy Science Fiction Young Adult
Languages
English (UK)
Awards
  • UCL Stevenson Award for MA Publishing
Certifications
  • MA Publishing
  • Editing Fiction Short Course

Work experience

Gollancz

Oct, 2020 — Present
Editor with commissioning remit working across science fiction, fantasy and horror, with some work in our commercial crime fiction list. Authors I work with include Jonathan Sims, Makana Yamamoto, Peter S. Beagle, Miles Cameron, and Chris and Jen Sugden. Focus on structural editing, assessing submissions for acquisition and pitching for sales, proofreading checks, and editorial administrative support.

Igloo Books

Dec, 2018 — May, 2020 (over 1 year)
Developing titles for publication, including proofreading, content writing and concept development.

Self-employed

Jul, 2018 — Present
Editorial services at all levels, including structural editing, copy editing and proofreading across novels, short fiction and non-fiction.

Portfolio

Hammajang Luck

Makana Yamamoto

Orion

HAMMAJANG | adjective. Definition: In a disorderly or chaotic state; messed up. Chiefly in predicative use, esp. in all hammajang. Etymology: A borrowing from Hawaiian Pidgin. Source: Oxford E... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review
Curtain Call to Murder

Julian Clary

Orion

'Been reading this on m'olidays. It's perfectly ridiculous & also v funny...' DAWN FRENCH 'Curtain Call To Murder positively explodes with the double-entendres and vicious wit that has become ... read more
Developmental Editing
High Vaultage: The Sunday Times bestselling scifi mystery perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett

Sugden, Chris

Gollancz

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Quest for Cush

Charles R. Saunders

Orion

Treachery, betrayal, defeat . . .Betrayed by the bandit-tribes he led, Imaro once again finds himself searching for answers - and revenge. On the trail of his kidnapped lover, he finds a new a... read more
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Imaro

Charles R. Saunders

Orion

Forsaken, outcast, warrior . . . Abandoned as a child, Imaro has struggled for acceptance all his life among the warrior-herdsmen tribe, the Ilyassai. Seeking answers and identity, his quest l... read more
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
The Innkeeper's Song

Peter S. Beagle

Orion

This is the story of three women.The first is brought back from the dead, and follows her saviour to adventure.The second is seeking the sorcerer who trained her, who has disappeared without a... read more
Proofreading
A Fine and Private Place

Peter S. Beagle

Orion

Jonathan Rebeck is homeless. Bankrupt. He has dropped out of society and has been living quietly in a local cemetery, under the care of a raven who is quite good at stealing sandwiches.Far fro... read more
Proofreading
The Way Home

Peter S. Beagle

Orion

My father cleared his throat. He began to say, "They took her," but he never got past the first word, and had to start again. He said finally, "The Dreamies took her. She went with the Dreamie... read more
Proofreading
The Last Unicorn

Peter S. Beagle

Orion

"If men no longer know what they are looking at, there may well be unicorns in the world yet, unknown and glad of it." Living in peace in her lilac wood, the Unicorn didn't know the world had ... read more
Proofreading
The Venetian Heretic

Christian Cameron

Orion

Venice is alive with the magic and bustle of Carnevale.A city of mysterious masks and gorgeous palaces, of riches, patricians, intellectuals and artists. And amidst it all, something new is be... read more
Proofreading
Breaking Hel

Miles Cameron

Orion

Before iron helmets and steel swords, when dragons roamed the world, was an age of bronze and stone, when the Gods walked the earth, and people lived in terror. In this era a scribe, a warlord... read more
Proofreading
Storming Heaven

Miles Cameron

Orion

Before iron helmets and steel swords, when dragons roamed the world, was an age of bronze and stone, when the Gods walked the earth, and people lived in terror.A scribe, a warlord, a dancer, a... read more
Proofreading
Against All Gods

Miles Cameron

Orion

The tyranny of the gods is absolute, and they are capricious, malevolent and almost all-powerful, playing cruel games with the fates of mortals for their own ends . . .A vibrant and powerful e... read more
Proofreading
Family Business: A horror full of creeping dread from the mind behind Thirteen Storeys and The Magnus Archives

Sims, Jonathan

Gollancz

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Deep Black

Cameron, Miles

Gollancz

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Beyond the Fringe: An Arcana Imperii Collection

Cameron, Miles

Gollancz

Developmental Editing
My Bump to Baby Memories

IglooBooks

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
The This

Adam Roberts

The This is the new social media platform everyone is talking about. Allow it to be injected into the roof of your mouth and it will grow into your brain, allow you to connect with others with... read more
Proofreading
The Best of Greg Egan

Greg Egan

Greg Egan is arguably Australia's greatest living science fiction writer. In a career spanning more than thirty years, he has produced a steady stream of novels and stories that address a wide... read more
Proofreading
White Queen

Gwyneth Jones

In the year 2038, the earth has been ravaged by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Retroviruses run rampant through humanity. Economic disaster has destabilised the world, the US has undergon... read more
Proofreading

Claire has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Tom W.

Tom W.

Oct, 2025

Really detailed report on my query letter, synopsis and sample. In addition, really great suggestions for reading that would help and other resources. Thank you so much!
Stefanos K.

Stefanos K.

Oct, 2025

Claire was amazing to work with, she was there for any question I may have and her guidance was incredible! Would definitely recommend!
Tripp R.

Tripp R.

Aug, 2025

Claire was great to work with. She's knowledgeable of the field of scifi and publishing. She has helpful experience and perspective. She was very professional in communicating, both by writing and verbally. Her savvy thoughts included both technical points and more subjective elements, and they a...
Read more
Terry G.

Terry G.

Aug, 2025

What a great experience! Claire was super helpful, and taught me a lot. I feel good about the future of my book and she has inspired me to consider some interesting directions. I will likely try to work with her again at the next step.
Mali Kristine L.

Mali Kristine L.

Jul, 2025

Working with Claire has been a delight! She was very thorough and always available for follow-up questions. Will absolutely recommend her for proofreading. Thank you Claire for all your work!

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