Eleanor Leese

Eleanor Leese – Editor

Expert in women's fiction, romance, historical fiction and history non-fiction. Send me historical romance and I'll bite your hand off

Overview

I'm an experienced freelance editor who has worked with big-name publishers, exciting indies and directly with authors. I specialise in women's fiction, historical, and history non-fiction, and historical romance is my catnip.


I have a Master's degree in Historical Studies from the University of Oxford and my research is focussed on the history of romantic love.

Services
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Fiction Contemporary Romance Historical Fiction Historical Romance Romantic Comedy
Non-Fiction
History
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Publishing Training Centre

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2010 — Present

I work with author clients at the start of their publishing journey, refining ideas and building on their writing craft to produce a polished manuscript. I focus on women’s and historical fiction and history non-fiction, although I have undertaken projects across a variety of genres.

I have worked with publishing companies and directly with authors to develop titles at all stages from outline to proofreading. Clients include: Penguin, Headline , Hodder & Stoughton, Ebury/Random House, Pan Macmillan, Choc Lit, Atlantic Books, Oneworld Publications, PS Publishing, DB Publishing, Icon Books, The Oxford Editors, Cornerstones and private clients.

Harlequin

Mar, 2014 — Present

I write contemporary, category-length romance under the pen name Ellie Darkins. My first novel was published in January 2014 and I have since published fifteen more with Harlequin Mills & Boon ! I was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year award in 2019.

Elsevier

Nov, 2006 — Aug, 2010 (over 3 years)

Key responsibilities:
• Commissioning new projects and new editions, writing strategy plans.
• Ensuring timely publication, liaising with freelancers, creating P&Ls, setting budgets, picture research, and briefing and proofreading covers.
• Managing author relationships, ensuring timely delivery of manuscripts.
• Working with editorial assistants and development editors to ensure administrative and development tasks were completed.

Portfolio

Love Songs for Sceptics

Christina Pishiris

A fantastic debut from a HILARIOUS and brilliantly ORIGINAL NEW VOICE in women’s fiction . . .LOVE IS FOR SUCKERS . . . ISN’T IT?My brother’s getting married in a few weeks and asked for help picking a song for his first dance. I suggested Kiss’s ‘Love’s a Sla... read more
Death at Crookham Hall: The start of a gripping 1920s cozy mystery series from Michelle Salter for 2023 (The Iris Woodmore Mysteries Book 1)

Salter, Michelle

Murder at Waldenmere Lake: A BRAND NEW page-turning cozy historical murder mystery from Michelle Salter for 2023 (The Iris Woodmore Mysteries Book 2)

Salter, Michelle

The Body at Carnival Bridge: A BRAND NEW historical cozy murder mystery from Michelle Salter for 2023 (The Iris Woodmore Mysteries Book 3)

Salter, Michelle

A Killing at Smugglers Cove (The Iris Woodmore Mysteries Book 4)

Salter, Michelle

A Man Called Ove: A Novel

Fredrik Backman

Read the New York Times bestseller that has taken the world by storm! In this “charming debut” (People) from one of Sweden’s most successful authors, a grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in ... read more
New Beginnings at Wildflower Lock

Lynn, Hannah

Always and Forever at Glendale Hall: This summer's most uplifting and romantic read!

Walters, Victoria

Echoes of the Heart

Casey, L.A.

The Vanishing Tide

Tailor, Hilary

Essex Witches

Brown, Peter

Wolsey: The Life of King Henry VIII's Cardinal

Matusiak, John

The Making of Home: The 500-year story of how our houses became homes

Wolf Bride (Lust in the Tudor Court)

Elizabeth Moss

"...full of sexual tension and political intrigue... For a terrific historical romance with a couple who can't keep their hands off each other, this is perfect."―RT Book ReviewsSet against the extravagant backdrop of the scandal-ridden Tudor Court, lady-in-wai... read more
Onslaught of Spears: The Danish Conquest of England

James, Jeffrey

Daughters of the KGB: Moscow's Secret Spies, Sleepers and Assassins of the Cold War

Boyd, Douglas

Rebel Bride (Lust in the Tudor Court)

Elizabeth Moss

Hilary Mantel meets Sylvia Day: the second installment in a deliciously erotic trilogy begun in Wolf Bride, set against the sumptuous backdrop of the scandal-ridden Tudor Court by Elizabeth Moss. HE IS UNDER HER SPELL...Hugh Beaufort, favored courtier of King ... read more
The Wedding Proposal

Sue Moorcroft

Elle Jamieson is a private person, in relationships as well as at work – and for good reason. But then she’s made redundant and with no ties to hold her, Elle heads off to sunny Malta.Lucas Rose hates secrets – he prides himself on his ability to lay his cards... read more
Songs For Your Mother: A heart-breaking, emotional and uplifting read

MacMillan, Gordon

The Starfolk Arcana: Romantic Urban Fantasy (The Starfolk Trilogy Book 1)

Dunlop, Martha

The Stonemason

Andrew Ziminski

A stonemason's story of the building of Britain: part archaeological history, part deeply personal insight into an ancient craft. In his thirty-year career, stonemason Andrew Ziminski has worked on many of our greatest monuments. From Neolithic monoliths to Ro... read more
Speed, Aggression, Surprise

The Valentine Retreat (Valentine's Vendetta Book 1)

Leeson, Laura R.

The Wedding Thief

Adam, Helen

Starfolk Falling: Romantic Urban Fantasy (The Starfolk Trilogy Book 2)

Dunlop, Martha

Wild Shadow : A Sweet Paranormal Romance

Dunlop, Martha

The Furies

Irving McCabe

June 1914: In London, a militant suffragette plants a bomb on the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey, while in Sarajevo, an idealistic young surgeon fights to save the life of the mortally wounded Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Four weeks later the Great War beg... read more
[(Happy Endings)] [ By (author) Jon Rance ] [October, 2013]

Jon Rance

The Art of Deception

Liz Harris

NA
The Highwayman's Daughter

Henriette Gyland

Hounslow, 1768. Jack Blythe, heir to the Earl of Lampton, is a man with great expectations.So when his stagecoach is held up by a masked woman, brandishing a pistol and dressed as a ‘gentleman’ of the road, he wholly expects to have his purse stolen. And when ... read more
[ FALLING APART ] By Lovering, Jane (Author ) { Paperback } Jun-2014

Jane Lovering

Doctor January

Rhoda Baxter

Six months after a painful break-up from Gordon, Beth's finally getting her life back on track. She has faith in her own scientific abilities and is willing to work hard to prove them. She's even beginning to see Hibbs (James Hibbotson), her dedicated lab part... read more

Eleanor has 18 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Ann B.

Ann B.

Oct, 2023

Eleanor responded to my initial request very quickly. Her report was delivered promptly and was extremely thorough, with very helpful guidance. It included some lovely comments and positive suggestions, which have given me the motivation to keep working to develop my story to its full potential. I would certainly recommend her and I look forward to working with her again.
Paul J.

Paul J.

Sep, 2023

I enjoyed working with Eleanor. By highlighting a slightly different, and unintended theme within my HF manuscript, her comments brought very helpful perspective that allowed me to sharpen my protagonist's motivation. My manuscript is set in the turmoil of the English Reformation and my protagonist, the future Sir Francis Drake, transitions from a child to a young adult within that historical s...
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Maggie C.

Maggie C.

Aug, 2023

Eleanor is an excellent editor. She is open and friendly, also incisive and challenging, drawing the best out of you by her analytical eye and deep knowledge of how stories work. Working with her has been an extremely positive experience and has me returning to my manuscript with renewed enthusiasm to finish the story and get it out there to the reader.
Mary Katherine R.

Mary Katherine R.

Aug, 2023

Having Eleanor provide an assessment and offer advice on my novel was invaluable. I had reached a point where I did not want to read or rewrite another word and Eleanor set me on a path of renewed excitement about my own work. She delivered exactly what she described, and the communication was spot on. I received my assessment earlier than the expected date and felt the cost was well worth the ...
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Deirdre D.

Deirdre D.

Apr, 2023

I would really recommend Eleanor Leese for an editorial overview. Her review of my book was easy to understand. She homed in on areas that need more work and was extremely intuitive in her understanding of the book and what I am trying to do. Her notes contained within the manuscript are thought provoking and I could immediately see what needs to be addressed to make the novel into somethi...
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