Liza Costello – Editor

I’m a freelance copy-editor and proofreader specialising in nonfiction, working with both trade publishers and independent authors.

I’ve copy-edited and proofread memoirs and other nonfiction titles for Gill Books, helping authors produce polished, readable work while preserving the distinctiveness of their voice and style. I’m particularly drawn to memoir, narrative nonfiction and travel writing, though I enjoy working across a wide range of subjects.

Over the years, I’ve also worked with many independent writers preparing manuscripts for submission, seeking representation or planning to self-publish. As a professional member of the Irish Writers Centre, I’ve served as a mentor for emerging writers, and I enjoy helping authors refine and strengthen their work at every stage of the publishing process.

I hold a PhD in English literature from Dublin City University. Alongside my publishing work, I’ve edited academic nonfiction including research reports, articles and other forms of 'grey literature'. That experience strengthened my attention to clarity, structure, consistency and tone – especially when working with complex material.

I’m also a published author, with two novels published by Hachette Ireland and a short story collection published by Broken Sleep Books. My nonfiction essays and other work have appeared in newspapers and literary journals, and have been broadcast on Irish national radio. Being both a writer and an editor gives me a strong understanding of the editorial process from the author’s perspective, as well as the technical demands of preparing a manuscript for publication.

My approach is collaborative, detail-oriented and practical. Whether I’m copy-editing or proofreading, my goal is to help writers produce work that is clean, coherent and professional while still sounding unmistakably like them.