Donna Hillyer

Donna Hillyer – Editor

Fiction and non-fiction. 20 years' publishing experience (regular clients include HarperCollins, Penguin RH, Hachette, Pan Mac)

Overview

I'm a fiction and non-fiction editor with 20 years' experience, having climbed the ranks from editorial assistant to editorial director/company board member, and my skills are subsequently wide-ranging.


I’ve commissioned and grown authors (both mainstream and genre) to bestselling and award-winning status, and I now work in various capacities with publishing companies, literary agents, private authors and writers'/literary festivals. Publishing clients include: Bookouture; Elliot & Thompson; Hachette Ireland; HarperCollins; Little, Brown; Orion; Pan Macmillan; Penguin Random House; Transworld and Whitefox.


I work on fiction and non-fiction, across all editorial areas, e.g. >

- query letter review and advice

- manuscript assessments

- structural/developmental edits

- line-editing

- copy-editing

- proofreading


Do get in touch about your project; I'd love to hear from you!




Some titles I've worked on as a freelancer:


* John Marr's sci-fi hit The One (now on Netflix)

* The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman and Killer Intent by Tony Kent, which were both chosen for the 2018 Zoe Ball TV Book Club

* Two of the six WHSmith Richard and Judy Book Club summer 2019 titles - How to be Famous by Caitlin Moran & Marked for Death by Tony Kent

* The No.1 bestselling novel (Ireland), Hungry Road by Marita Conlon-McKenna (2021)

* Winner of the Romantic Novelists’ Association Popular Fiction Award 2022 (voted for by librarians, book bloggers and reviewers, and booksellers): The River Between Us by Liz Fenwick; and the Festive Holiday Romantic Novel Award 2022: Winter at Cliff’s End Cottage by Sheila Norton


* Sunday Times Bestsellers:

- Lucky by Ed Jackson (rugby union player turned Paralympics presenter)

- Get Divorced, Be Happy by Helen Thorn (award-winning comedian and podcaster)

- Knee Deep in Life by Laura Belbin (author of the Knee Deep in Life blog)

- Hear Me Out by Sarah Harding

- Friend Request by Laura Marshall

- Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar

- A Different Kind of Happy by Rachaele Hambleton (aka Part-Time Working Mummy)

- With This Kiss by Carrie Hope Fletcher

- No Shame by Laura Belbin (author of the Knee Deep in Life blog)

- Be Yourself and Happier: The A-Z Guide to Wellbeing by Will Young

- Springtime at Cannon Hall Farm by The Nicholson Family

- Ten Things I Hate About Me: How to Stay Alive With a Brain That's Trying to Kill You by Joe Tracini

- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Romantic Fantasy Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK)
Awards
  • In 2012, I was one of four people shortlisted for the prestigious Kim Scott Walwyn Prize, which recognises women's creativity, professionalism and ambition in publishing.
Certifications
  • BA Arts (Joint Honours – English and Philosophy), University College Cork
  • MA Publishing Studies City University, London

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2015 — Present
Since July 2015, I have worked freelance with major trade publishers, agents and private authors on their editorial projects, providing a range of services.

Harlequin UK Ltd

Jan, 2013 — Jun, 2015 (over 2 years)
Oversaw the running of the Harlequin UK editorial programme and its imprints, managing a team of 6, as well as commissioning and growing authors myself. I sat on the board, and so was also involved in the management of the company at senior level.

Little, Brown

Mar, 2007 — Dec, 2012 (almost 6 years)
During my six years at Little, Brown, I held various editorial roles, latterly Senior Commissioning Editor. I worked on commercial fiction, including: women’s commercial fiction; historical fiction; romantic suspense; crime and thrillers; paranormal romance; urban fantasy; and horror.

Portfolio

The Quick and the Dead

Emma Hinds

Bedford Square Publishers

'Wonderfully evocative, this book transports the reader to the dark underworld of late Elizabethan London. I was gripped from the first page.' Tracy Borman 'Vividly told, with powerfully drawn characters, this tale of obsession and betrayal set in the dark wor... read more
Only in New York

Melissa Hill

HarperCollins Publishers

He makes trouble. She makes headlines. A warm and funny enemies-to-lovers romance set in New York from the No. 1 Irish Times bestselling author of The Summer Villa. 'Hill doesn't disappoint' Irish Times 🗽🗽🗽 LA Publicist Hannah is ready to put her broken heart ... read more
One Life

Barbara Winton

The book that inspired major motion picture ONE LIFE, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter.'Remarkable' - GuardianSir Nicholas Winton rescued 669 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia at the brink of World War II. Most never saw their par... read more
Copy Editing
The Second Stranger

Martin Griffin

ONE DETECTIVE. ONE MURDERER. BUT WHICH IS WHICH?Remie Yorke has one shift left at the Mackinnon Hotel in the remote Scottish Highlands before she leaves for good. Then Storm Ezra hits. As temp... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
With This Kiss

Fletcher, Carrie Hope

Hear Me Out

Harding, Sarah

Disappeared

Jarratt, Laura

Everyone is Still Alive

Cathy Rentzenbrink

It is summer on Magnolia Road when Juliet moves into her late mother's house with her husband Liam and their young son, Charlie. Preoccupied by guilt, grief and the juggle of working motherhood, she can't imagine finding time to get to know the neighbouring fa... read more
'If I can go from obesity to the Olympics in four years, and then become a professional boxer, then anything is possible in your life.' Lawrence OkolieDREAM BIG. FOCUS. CHANGE YOUR LIFE.Lawrence shares 40 short life lessons and explains what you should do to f... read more
To be a Gay Man

Young, Will

‘I literally could not put it down… I finished in less than 24 hours, it draws you in from the very first chapter… WOW… And just when you think that’s it… BAM.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars‘You don't deserve a sister…’Lizzy Beresford is at home alone when she f... read more
How to be Famous

Caitlin Moran

The One

John Marrs

Nina is Not OK

Shappi Khorsandi

Donna has 35 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jan M.

Jan M.

May, 2025

Donna is a knowledgeable editor with great insights into what makes a story work. She is easy to work with and friendly, but she doesn't sugar coat her feedback - a trait I value a lot in an editor.
Melanie J.

Melanie J.

Feb, 2025

Donna is a pleasure to work with and caught some very important issues in my manuscript.
Fiona M.

Fiona M.

Dec, 2024

Very helpful with defining what support I needed and also made time to videocall to discuss the project in more detail. Notes given on the MS were detailed, clear, and gave tactical advice that helped shine a light on the unfamiliar aspects of commercial writing for a new author whilst maintaini...
Read more
Donna H.
Thanks for the lovely review, Fiona; I enjoyed chatting/reading your MS, and am so pleased to hear my feedback was useful for your next steps.
William D.

William D.

Dec, 2024

Donna has clarified my project and set guidelines for improving the writing style and formatting. Her advice has been helpful and I plan to implement her recommendations. Donna has motivated me to improve, especially in writing dialogue. I was expecting more feedback regarding the illustrations a...
Read more
Donna H.
Thanks for the feedback, William; really pleased to hear this. I hadn't realised until this review than I forgot to include my jotted notes about the illustrations in the report itself, so apologie...
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Frank B.

Frank B.

Sep, 2024

Donna provided me with some additional help and assistance on communications with publishers/agents. Once again she provided prompt, focussed and precise work along with providing me with greater insights. As I have already indicated in an earlier review, Donna is an excellent editor and I have a...
Read more
Donna H.
You're most welcome, Frank - a pleasure as always!

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