Claire Strombeck

Claire Strombeck – Editor

I have over 13 years' experience editing for top publishers, including Penguin Random House. Contact me for any editorial services.

Overview

As an editor for top publishers, including Penguin Random House and NB Publishers, I have edited and proofread award-winning, bestselling novels and narrative non-fiction texts. I am proud to have had a number of edited novels on bestseller lists, and long- and shortlisted for literary awards, including the Sunday Times Literary Prize and the Commonwealth Short Story Prize. I work closely with top authors including Mark Winkler, Imraan Coovadia, Rahla Xenopoulos, Carol Campbell, Qarnita Loxton, Fred Khumalo, and Niq Mhlongo, among many others. I also co-founded a highly successful online creative writing course with bestselling author, Mike Nicol, which ran for eight years. I thrive when collaborating with authors, assisting them to reach their writing potential and to create the strongest narrative possible. My specialist genres include literary fiction, women's fiction, crime, and memoirs, although I really love reading and editing any story that grabs my attention. My clients will attest to the fact that I am a supportive editor, who only ever gives constructive criticism. I focus on what you're doing right, so that you can do more of that. If you work with me, you will become a better, more confident writer, skilled in all the technical stuff and the things that readers want. My industry experience means I am perfectly placed to know what publishers want, and to shape your manuscripts and cover letters accordingly. Please contact me for any editorial services, including developmental and copy editing, editorial assessments, and editing of cover letters.
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Romance Cozy Mysteries Epic Fantasy Literary Fiction Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • First-class Master's Degree in English Literature
  • First-class Honour's Degree in English Literature

Work experience

Self-employed

Feb, 2016 — Present

• Copy-editor and proofreader
• Point of contact between commissioning editors, managing editors, and authors
• Write reader reports for potential publication and jacket copy
• Familiar with all stages of publication process
• Several works longlisted for the Sunday Times Literary Awards in 2019 and 2021
• Fred Khumalo’s Talk of the Town won 2020 SALA Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award

The Writers' Masterclass

Jan, 2013 — Dec, 2020 (almost 8 years)

• Independently run supervisory online, multimedia course, founded and supervised by internationally best-selling writer and journalist Mike Nicol and me
• Project-managed course for 25–30 students each year
• Created content on social media platforms to advertise course
• Supervised writing of 60,000-word novels/ non-fiction works
• Each completed year of the class produced at least one traditionally published writer

GetSmarter (2U)

Oct, 2010 — Dec, 2015 (about 5 years)

• Taught online, multimedia creative-writing course alongside Ron Irwin (until end of 2011) and then Mike Nicol (until 2015)
• Liaison between clients and GetSmarter

Self-employed

Jun, 2010 — Present

• Copy-editor and proofreader
• Point of contact between commissioning editors, managing editors, and authors
• Write reader reports for potential publication and jacket copy
• Familiar with all stages of publication process
• Several works longlisted for the Sunday Times Literary Awards in 2019 and 2021
• Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu’s short story, “The Blessing of Kali”, shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2019
• Imran Garda’s The Thunder That Roars won the 2016 Olive Schreiner Prize for Prose; longlisted for the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Literature

Portfolio

It Doesn't Have to Be This Way

Mackay, Alistair

Past Participle

Jane Labous

Lucky Girl: A Novel

Muchemi-Ndiritu, Irene

The Son of the House

Cheluchi Onyemelukwe-Onuobia

A COMPELLING STORY CELEBRATING THE RESILIENCE OF TWO WOMEN AS THEY NAVIGATE WHAT REMAINS A STRONGLY PATRIARCHAL NIGERIA “I absolutely loved his book. Nwabulu and Julie are incredible, fully formed and fully flaw, characters that walk straight off the page and ... read more
The Errors of Doctor Browne

Winkler, Mark

The Child

Mackay, Alistair

Kwela

Sisters of the Circus

Manack, Laila

Shadow Flicker

Volker, Melissa A.

Glass House

Emezie, Chinenye

But Deliver Us from Evil

Lauri Kubuitsile

It is 1871 and Nthebolang and her mother must flee their home: her father has been accused of witchcraft and sentenced to death. For months they walk, sleeping in the open, living off the veld, until they are offered shelter in Ntsweng in the kingdom of Kgosi ... read more
Delilah Now Trending

Pamela Power

Single mom Delilah is thrilled when her darling daughter Daisy is tipped to become head girl of her prep school. But things don’t turn out quite as expected, and mother and daughter soon need to deal with much more than disappointment when Daisy’s long-time ri... read more
Jean Paul Sartre in the Congo: A travelogue of a donkey in times of war

Zwaenepoel, Luc

A Person My Colour: Love, Adoption and Parenting While White

Dahlmanns, Martina

Only the Dead

Wende, Hamilton

Being Shelley

Loxton, Qarnita

The Messiah's Dream Machine: A sequel

Friedman, Jennifer

Mermaid Fillet

Arderne, Mia

The Delhi Deception

Sabharwal, Elana

The Fall

Thorpe, Jen

An Unquiet Place

Houston, Clare

A Coat of Many Colours

Khumalo, Fred

Queen of the Free State: A Memoir

Friedman, Jennifer

Rainbow Nation My Zulu Arse

Khumalo, Sihle

Nine Letters

Webb, John

Sex, Lies & Stellenbosch

Mazza, Eva

Loves & Miracles of Pistola

Toffoli, Hilary Prendini

The Thunder that Roars

Garda, Imran

My Father Died for This

Calata, Lukhanyo

Between Rock & a Hard Place: A Memoir

Rasch, Carsten

Being Kari

Loxton, Qarnita

The Tortoise Cried its Only Tear

Campbell, Carol

The Season of Glass

Xenopoulos, Rahla

Claire has 68 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Sam O.

Sam O.

Dec, 2024

Claire was just fantastic. I started the process entirely in the dark - completely unaware of whether or not my novel had any potential, and at a loss as to how to begin the editing process. Claire's support was instant and constant. In her first message I instantly got the sense that she was as excited and as driven to work on my book as I was. Her track changes were incredibly detailed and th...
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Kevin T.

Kevin T.

Aug, 2024

Claire was a wonderful partner to have for editing my manuscript, query letter, and synopsis. She returned my work in batches over the course of our time with all edits and comments which was the perfect way for me to digest and edit the manuscript. I would highly recommend her as your next editor and collaborator on the path to making your work into the best version it can be.
Stephen L.

Stephen L.

Aug, 2024

I truly enjoyed working with Claire, who seemed to know precisely what my manuscript needed. Except for the occasional message read late, she was forthcoming with all of my, maybe overburdensome, questions. But after all, one cannot learn without asking the question or two … or three.
Terrance G.

Terrance G.

Jul, 2024

Superlative! There could be no higher praise for an editor than to say she made me a better writer. Claire not only improved my first novel manuscript immensely, but she also transformed my understanding of writing as a craft. I will never work with another freelance editor. I am Claire’s client for life!
Bryan B.

Bryan B.

May, 2024

Claire was amazing to work with. I'm so glad to have enlisted her services for my novel, Blood on the Vines. She made me feel capable, and encouraged me throughout the process, and also pointed out my many mistakes along the way. I know my story is infinitely better thanks to her help. Thank you so much, Claire, for everything, but especially for your positivity and ease to work with! I know I'...
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