Colm Farren

Colm Farren – Editor

I provide editing and assessment for manuscripts at all stages of development. I specialise in literary fiction, short stories and memoirs.

Overview

As an editor, I have helped authors with character-development, plot-development, structuring, pacing, etc. Whatever is needed for the advancement, refinement, polishing, or completion of a piece of work.


I have experience copy-editing and proofreading in both British and American English, and according to various house style manuals.


Since 2013 I have appraised hundreds of manuscripts, both fiction and non-fiction, providing analysis, criticism, feedback and endorsement for work from such authors as Donal Ryan, Rob Doyle, Sam Coll, Elske Rahill, Pat McCabe, J.P. Donleavy, Mike McCormack, Richard Kearney, Aidan Mathews, Sara Baume, Michael D. Higgins, and others.


Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Political Science & Current Affairs
Fiction
Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Short Story
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Lilliput Press, Dublin

Feb, 2013 — Present

I have provided developmental editing and editorial assessment for the Lilliput Press (Small Press of the Year 2020 - British Book Awards) for more than a decade.

I edited the Lilliput Press-published books Beat (Rowan Somerville), Oona (Alice Lyons), and Ravelling (Estelle Birdy, May 2024), working in close collaboration with the authors over many months and drafts, honing the works and guiding them to completion.

I have also appraised hundreds of manuscripts, fiction and non-fiction, as principal out-of-house reader for Lilliput over the last decade, providing analysis, feedback and advice to authors such as Donal Ryan, Rob Doyle, Sam Coll, Elske Rahill, Pat McCabe, J.P. Donleavy, Mike McCormack, Richard Kearney, Aidan Mathews, Sara Baume, Michael D. Higgins, and others.

Dalkey Archive Press, Illinois

Oct, 2018 — Apr, 2019 (6 months)

I worked as a freelance copy-editor and proofreader for the celebrated Dalkey Archive Press, on published work such as Narcisse on a Tightrope (Olivier Targowla, trans. Paul Curtis Daw), The Round Dance of Water (Sergey Kuznetsov, trans. Valeriya Yermishova), To Kill a Serpent in the Shell (Boris Akunin, trans. Ileana Alexandra Orlich), and others.

Portfolio

Ravelling

Birdy, Estelle

The Lilliput Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Oona

Lyons, Alice

The Lilliput Press

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Fragma

Kumerdej, Mojca

Copy Editing Proofreading
Copy Editing Proofreading
Editorial Assessment
In White Ink

Rahill, Elske

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
The Cruelty Men

Martin, Emer

Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment
Editorial Assessment

Colm has 5 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Eduardo C.

Eduardo C.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
After a brief chat with him where we outlined the goals and challenges of the copy-editing task, Colm went through the manuscript quickly and with great detail. He made relevant comments and addressed each of my concerns. I've worked with other editors and was pleased to see how professional, respectful, and efficient he was. I also sensed that he had a personal stake in creating a product of q...
Read more
Hope M.

Hope M.

Oct, 2024

Colm is incredible. He was the first industry professional to read my work, and he handled it with care and grace. It was an absolute pleasure working with him, and I couldn't recommend his services enough.
Peter L.

Peter L.

Sep, 2024

Brilliant editor with a sharp mind and a big heart. An absolute joy to work with. He has my highest recommendation!
Anastasiia D.

Anastasiia D.

Aug, 2024

It was a pleasure working with Colm. I highly recommend him and hope we will collaborate again in the future.
Coti D.

Coti D.

Jun, 2024

Colm was the perfect choice to proof my novel! He was thorough, professional, and always available to talk. I was impressed. 10 out of 10 would highly recommend if you are looking for a detail oriented editor who can polish your manuscript and even do some research and fact-checking if you need it.

Professionals similar to Colm

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

Travis Moran

Travis M.

A seasoned editor of sports titles and literary fiction, Travis has guided acclaimed authors, trusted insiders, emerging voices, and HOFers.

Chicago, IL, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Meghan Houser

Meghan H.

Editor and collaborator with a decade of experience at Penguin Random House and Macmillan.

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Jessica Hatch

Jessica H.

Award-winning freelance editor Jessica provides practical, marketable revision advice to clients on all six habitable continents.

Jacksonville, United States

100% reply rate

View profile