Sara Donaldson

Sara Donaldson – Editor

I specialise in historical fiction and non-fiction, heritage and the arts. A kind, practical approach to get to the heart of your writing.

Overview

I’m an Advanced Professional Member of, and tutor for, the CIEP (the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading), with a background in information management and genealogy, and trained in creative writing. Over the past twenty years I have worked on both fiction and non-fiction for a variety of publishers and self-publishing authors, along with high profile companies, such as Cunard, through my work with Lily and Ferry Publications. I’m proud to have written for, compiled and edited Lily Publication’s best-selling 'All Round Guide to the Isle of Man', and edited Bruce Peter’s 2019 RCHS Transport History Book of the Year, 'The Changing Face of British Railways'. Another highlight has been working on Franny Moyle’s 'The King's Painter: The Life and Times of Hans Holbein' – one of my favourite artists! When it comes to fiction, I love historical fiction as it allows me to help my authors navigate their novel’s voice and setting more thoroughly.

I help authors get their story out there, without stressing about the commas. I understand that the process can feel unsettling at times, but I’m here to put your mind at rest and help you say what you really want to say. All my life I’ve been fascinated with history, heritage and art, so it makes sense that I’ve trained to make them my speciality. I know authors are passionate about their writing too, so when we have a chat we’ll discuss exactly what you need and how we can make your work the best it can be.

Services
Non-Fiction
Art Biographies & Memoirs History
Fiction
Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime
Languages
English (UK)
Certifications
  • BA(Hons) English Literature and Creative Writing (first class)
  • CIEP Advanced Professional Member
  • BA(Hons) Librarianship and Information Studies

Work experience

The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading

Sep, 2020 — Present
Tutor for CIEP students on the copyediting and proofreading assessed and self-assessed courses. Recently, I was one of the editors who worked on the CIEP's competency framework for editors, which aims to provide a benchmark of good practice for those working in editorial professions.

Self-employed

Mar, 2001 — Present
Providing editorial services for publishers, businesses and self-publishing authors, especially on historical subjects (I'm also a professional genealogist). I've worked on everything from general and historical fiction, local history books and biographies, to numerous maritime histories by specialist publisher Ferry Publications, who focus on the global ferry and cruise industry.

University of Teesside

Mar, 1992 — Jan, 1999 (almost 7 years)
After graduating, I worked in a busy university library with varying professional responsibilities, including: running a busy cataloguing dept and its team, overseeing the running of a satellite business school library, staff and student training and orientation, development of an open learning collection, and liaising with staff and students on a daily basis. Through my academic career I learnt how to work effectively with everyone, from first year students to professors and heads of department, which made a great basis for my future freelance career!

Portfolio

Indexing
The Hellion

Harriet Young

Unbound Digital

Copy Editing
Missing Presumed Drowned

Paolini, Stefano

Stefano Paolini

Proofreading
Indexing
Irish Ferries

Miles Cowsill

Lily Publications

In 1973, a newcomer to the Irish ferry scene began sailings between Rosslare and Le Havre with the brand new state-of-the-art car ferry Saint Patrick. A subsidiary of deep sea company Irish Sh... read more
Proofreading Indexing
Copy Editing Proofreading Indexing
Queen Mary 2

Miles Cowsill

Lily Publications

To complete the series on the current fleet of Cunard ships, Philip Dawson covers the development, construction and the history of this famous cruise liner built in France. Illustrated in full... read more
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Don't Go, Gordon

Armitage, Peter

Copy Editing
The Coldest Blood

Kolbeinsson, Reginn Tumi

Reginn Tumi Kolbeinsson

Copy Editing
Merchants and Mayors: The Chappell Family in Tudor Exeter

Rice, Margaret A.

Blue Poppy Publishing

Copy Editing
Journeywork, a creative life

Dave Duggan

Nerve Centre

Copy Editing
Killer Queen (Soho Noir Book 5)

Hunter, T.S.

Red Dog Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Artist as Curator

Jeffery, Celina

Intellect Books

Indexing
Proofreading
Shipwrecks of the Dover Straits

Panis, Stefan

Whittles Publishing

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Changing Face of the British Railways

Peter, Bruce

Lily Publications

Copy Editing

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