Claire Ormsby-Potter

Claire Ormsby-Potter – Editor

I am an editor with experience working on both fiction and non-fiction publications, 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, editing fiction, non-fiction and academic work both with publishing companies and freelance. Since October 2020, I have been an editorial assistant at one of the UK’s leading SFF publishers, working and training with the editors for some of the biggest names in SFF and Horror fiction. I am also a member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading.


I completed a Master’s degree in publishing, several courses in copy editing and proofreading, and I have many years of experience as a beta reader in my spare time, offering as required structural editing advice, line and copy editing, and enthusiastic cheerleading. One of my independent authors has reached the final, full manuscript request stage of Pitch Wars for two years running.


Alongside my editorial experience, I possesses other skills - like a true Renaissance Woman - including writing content! I have written content health and fitness books, recipe books, game boxes, gift non-fiction and novelty journals across both UK and US markets. In a previous role I would manage projects from pitching the concept to briefing the design and writing the entire concept. The best example of this would be my (if I say so personally) fantastic at-home Murder Mystery Escape Room, ESCAPE THE MURDER MANSION, which is ideal if you wished the Usborne Puzzle Adventure books had a baby with an Agatha Christie novel and you could play it collaboratively.

I completed my MA Publishing in 2017, and was the inaugural winner of UCL's Stevenson Award. Since then, I have continued to earn excellent feedback from my independent clients, including:

"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"

I promise that I did not bribe anyone to say these things about me.

If this extremely convincing pitch for my services has made you realise how much you want to work with me, I have great news: I would love to work with you too! Get in touch, and we can talk about what you want!
Services
Non-Fiction
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Fantasy Horror Humor & Comedy Romance 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

I am an editorial assistant at Gollancz, working with SFF and horror books. As part of my role, I am responsible for writing cover copy, managing publishing schedules for backlist books and proofreading, taking in copyedits and liaising with authors and freelancers.

I've also been given further training on proofreading, editorial project management, and structural and copy editing.

Igloo Books

Dec, 2018 — May, 2020 (over 1 year)

As one of two editors on the team, I take books from proposal to publication working closely with designers to ensure high quality products are delivered on schedule. I am responsible for looking for new and innovative formats and subjects to ensure the list is competitive and evolving. As a further part of my role, I have written content for many of our products, such as The Great British Pub Quiz, 30 Days of Health, and content for various entries in our range of SplatGOAT game products including the entire structure and content for our upcoming escape room game Escape the Murder Mansion.

Responsibilities
o Editorial checks and sign offs, from proofreading manuscript to final proof approval.
o Commissioning content and design work, issuing contracts and briefs.
o Pitching books appropriate for the current market and target customer groups.
o Maintaining and running reports using Biblio to track schedules and costs.
o Market research for competitive products, new subjects, and innovative packaging.
o Writing cover copy, sales material and book content.

Key Achievements
o The team won ‘Cover of the Quarter’ for our range of SplatGOAT game products.
o Series 30 Days of Health was distributed for free to staff across all Bonnier offices.
o The Great British Pub Quiz sold approx. 6000 units in Asda during December 2019.

Self-employed

Jul, 2018 — Present

I provide editorial services at all levels, including structural editing, copy editing and proofreading across novels, short fiction and non-fiction. To date I have worked with Piatkus, The Journal for International Arthurian Studies, and numerous independent clients. One of my independent authors reached the final round for Pitch Wars shortlisting in both 2018 and 2019.

Gollancz

Jul, 2017 — Aug, 2017 (about 1 month)

I worked within the Editorial team, but also provided support to the Marketing and Publicity teams as needed. My responsibilities included checking proofs, providing reader reports on submissions, preparing copy for sales presentations and catalogues, and copyright research. I also supported a number of events, including London Film and Comic Con and Gollanczfest.

Head of Zeus

Jan, 2017 — Mar, 2017 (about 2 months)

I worked with the Editorial and Sales, Marketing and Publicity teams during this period. I provided reader reports on submissions, checked proofs, collated reviews, and created sales presentations and marketing materials for social media campaigns.

Portfolio

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 without even picking up your phone. Its followers are growing. Its detra... read more
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 range of scientific and philosophical concerns: artificial intellig... read more
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 undergone a socialist revolution, and the balance of power has changed.Then ... read more

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