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
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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 a historical romance is my catnip. All heat levels considered, though include content warnings if you think I might need them!
As an editor-turned-author I'm uniquely qualified to help you to develop your voice and your writing craft. I know this process from both sides of the red pen, and understand how scary it can be to ask for feedback on your work. I promise that any criticism will always be constructive, and that we will work together as a team to make your story the best it can be.
How does all this work, I hear you ask. If you're not sure what work your manuscript needs, or you just want me to look at the big picture, send me a request for a manuscript assessment. I can highlight your story's strengths and weaknesses, and suggest next steps for editing. If you're ready for more detailed, line-by-line feedback, request a quote for a development edit. I'll send you a quote, we can discuss details, and then the hard work starts!
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Chick Lit
Contemporary Fiction
Contemporary Romance
Historical Fiction
Historical Romance
Romantic Comedy
Time Travel Romance
Non-Fiction
History
Certifications
- Publishing Training Centre
Work experience
Freelance Editor
Self-employed
September, 2010
–
Present
(over 11 years)
As an editor and mentor, I currently 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. A recent mentoring client found representation for his history non-fiction title with a leading agent and sold to a Big Five publishing company within weeks of us working together on his submission package.
Over the past nine years I have worked with publishing companies and directly with authors to develop titles at all stages from outline to proofreading. Clients include: The History Press, Headline Publishing Group, 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.
Author
Harlequin
March, 2014
–
Present
(about 8 years)
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 ten more with Harlequin Mills & Boon with more to come next year! I was nominated for a Romantic Novel of the Year award in 2019.
Commissioning Editor
Elsevier
November, 2006
–
August, 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 (31 selected works)
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 Roman baths and temples, from the tower of Salisbury Cathedral to the engine houses, mills and aqueducts of the Industrial Revolution and ... read more
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 Slap in the Face’.It didn’t go down well.When she was a teenager, Zoë Frixos fell in love with Simon Baxter, her best friend and the boy ne... read more
Songs For Your Mother: A heart-breaking, emotional and uplifting read
MacMillan, Gordon
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-waiting Eloise Tyrell learns the meaning of true passion―and danger―in this deliciously erotic novel, perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory ... read more
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 next door.Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedro... 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 on the table and he expects nothing less in return. He’s furious when his summer working as a divemaster is interrupted by the arrival ... read more
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 Henry VIII, likes his women quiet and biddable. But Susannah Tyrell is neither of these things. She is feisty, beautiful, opinionated an... read more
Falling for the Rebel Princess (Harlequin Romance)
Ellie Darkins
From princess to rock-star royalty! Self-proclaimed "black sheep" Princess Charlie of Afland has worked long and hard to be taken seriously in the music industry, managing to keep her royal obligations, and her secret heartbreak, under the radar. Until one night in Vegas changes everything… Rock star Joe Kavanagh gets more from his Vegas gig than he'd bargained for…a princess bride and a PR st... read more
Falling Again For Her Island Fling: Falling Again for Her Island Fling / What Makes a Father (Mills & Boon True Love)
Ellie Darkins, Teresa Southwick
Falling Again for Her Island FlingBy Ellie DarkinsHer head doesn’t remember him…but her heart does!Marine Biologist Meena isn’t prepared for the jolt of recognition when she meets tycoon Guy Williams. An accident stole Meena’s memories and she’s been searching for answers ever since. Could Guy be the missing piece to her past…and her future…What Makes a FatherBy Teresa SouthwickCan a ready mad... read more
Surprise Baby for the Heir by Ellie DarkinsFrom perfect strangers…To mummy and daddy!One night with a gorgeous stranger is the perfect distraction for Elspeth from the happy-ever-after that will never be hers. The trainee doctor and carer has no room in her life for romance, until a surprise pregnancy catapults her back into Fraser’s world…The Colonels’ Texas Promise by Caro CarsonA marriage p... read more
Conveniently Engaged to the Boss
Ellie Darkins
From assistant to fiancée!Joss Dawson knows the one thing that will make his dying father happy is to see his son find love…the problem is, he’s sworn off love forever!But the answer’s simple! Asking his father’s fiercely intelligent, beautiful assistant Eva to play the perfect role—his fiancée. Only for Eva it’s not that easy…Pretending to be Joss’s fiancée threatens to ruin the life she’s wo... read more
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 partner, as more than just a lousy lothario in a lab-coat. So when Gordon returns from America without warning and expects to be welcomed ba... read more
![[ FALLING APART ] By Lovering, Jane (Author ) { Paperback } Jun-2014](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51APQwLMYuL._SL160_.jpg)
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 he senses something strangely familiar about the lovely little bandit, Jack also expects to win his cousin Rupert’s wager by tracking he... read more
The Art of Deception
Liz Harris
NA
![[(Happy Endings)] [ By (author) Jon Rance ] [October, 2013]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41i7VXQHqFL._SL160_.jpg)
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 begins and their paths cross when one of the worst typhus epidemics in European history sweeps across the Balkans. Set in Edinburgh, London... read more
From Best Friend to Fiancée
Darkins, Ellie
Snowbound at the Manor (Harlequin Romance Book 4737)
Darkins, Ellie
Reunited by the Tycoon's Twins (Harlequin Romance Book 4709)
Darkins, Ellie
Wild Shadow : A Sweet Paranormal Romance
Dunlop, Martha
Echoes of the Heart
Casey, L.A.
The Vanishing Tide
Tailor, Hilary
The Wedding Thief
Adam, Helen
The Valentine Retreat (Valentine's Vendetta Book 1)
Leeson, Laura R.
Eleanor has 7 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Eleanor was professional and a pleasure to work with. I haven't gone over my manuscript in detail but the feedback I read was helpful and informative. She also returned my manuscript within the time frame we decided. I am very happy and I would work with her again.
T.H.E. Swan, May 2022
The best feedback I’ve received in a long time. Clear and on point.
Johannes Wikner, May 2022
As I newbie I perhaps was expecting too much but learned the word 'collaboration' obviously has different meanings for different people. To me, it involves a two-way conversation.
For just over £1000, I received a fourteen page report which didn't take into account the fact that this was the first book of a trilogy as I had clearly stated, so some of the story-lines would be held over for the n...
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Susan Barnes, May 2022
I was very impressed with the feedback from Eleanor Leese. She obviously took some time and put lots of thought into what she wanted to say. Her feedback provided me with some good reference materials and also gave me a great guideline for what I need to do to my manuscript. Thank you Eleanor for the quality job!
ME McDonald, February 2022
If you want straightforward, unminced opinions, delivered in a professional, considerate manner, you should pick Eleanor. For the editorial assessment, she identified areas of my story that needed clarification, development or changes, taking into account sensitive issues. From the beginning, she was clear about the time needed for the delivery and she was accommodating when I bought changes t...
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L.A. Ruel, December 2021
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