Elinor Cooper

Elinor Cooper – Editor

Passionate and precise editor and former literary agent with nearly two decades' experience of children's books, fiction and non-fiction.

Overview

After nearly 15 years working as a literary agent in London, I made the move to freelance editing and I love working in this supportive role, with authors.

As an agent I worked closely with my clients, developing ideas, advising on characterisation, plot arcs, etc, in early drafts, and honing texts on a copy and proof-reading level, to ready them for submission to publishers. I then supported the authors I worked with throughout the publishing process, and I am therefore very experienced in all stages of editing and producing a book. I made book deals for my clients with all of the major publishers in the UK (Penguin Random House, Hachette, Simon & Schuster, Bloomsbury, etc) and often also sold rights in the US and for translation. As a freelance editor I continue to work with literary agencies, writing synopses and reports on books' potential for adaptation to film.

My specialisms are within children's books - from picture books to YA novels - literary fiction and narrative non-fiction. I'm also an expert on assessing manuscripts' potential for publication and can offer an insiders' perspective and advice on query letters.

Services
Fiction
Comics & Graphic Novels Literary Fiction Middle Grade Picture Books Young Adult
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in English & American Literature

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 2018 — Present

Diamond Kahn & Woods

Apr, 2015 — Sep, 2018 (over 3 years)

Rochelle Stevens & Co

Jan, 2013 — Apr, 2015 (about 2 years)

AP Watt Ltd

Sep, 2004 — Nov, 2012 (about 8 years)

Portfolio

Architecturally diverse and ideologically staunch, Soviet sanatoriums were intended to edify and invigorateVisiting a Soviet sanatorium is like stepping back in time. Originally built in the 1920s, they afforded workers a place to holiday, courtesy of a state-... read more
For fans of Maria Semple and Rainbow Rowell, a comedy-drama for the digital age: an epistolary debut novel about the ties that bind and break our hearts.Iris Massey is gone. But she’s left something behind. For four years, Iris Massey worked side by side with ... read more
Probably Nothing

Matilda Tristram

Probably Nothing by Matilda Tristram - a moving, funny and inspiring graphic memoir by a woman who discovered she had cancer whilst she was pregnant'This deeply personal memoir, written as a graphic novel is one of the most darkly funny, bittersweet and moving... read more
Everyday Sexism

Laura Bates

'If Caitlin Moran's How To Be A Womanis the fun-filled manual for female survival in the 21st century, everyday sexism is its more politicised sister' (Independent on Sunday).After experiencing a series of escalating sexist incidents, Laura Bates started theev... read more
Ruby’s Worry

Tom Percival

Ruby loves being Ruby. Until, one day, she finds a worry. At first it's not such a big worry, and that's all right, but then it starts to grow. It gets bigger and bigger every day and it makes Ruby sad. How can Ruby get rid of it and feel like herself again? A... read more
Do you want to inspire your child's imagination through reading AND creative play? Join Em as she receives a mysterious present with instructions for building her very own space rocket. Harnessing the power of her imagination Em travels to through space to a m... read more
One evening, Lily is playing on the beach. And who should float in, but LOTS of polar bears! Lily is excited to welcome them home for dinner (of fish fingers and ice cream, of course) and to have them stay for a sleepover. Lily has even more fun with the bears... read more
'A joy to read' Amanda Craig'Shades of Cold Comfort Farm...Charming' GuardianEnglish Animals is a subversive, wry debut that fans of Marina Lewycka's A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian will love. When Mirka gets a job in a country house in rural England,... read more
The Spell Thief

Tom Percival

Jack (of the beanstalk fame) and his magical talking chicken, Betsy, have always been great at making new friends. But when Jack spots Anansi, the new kid in town, talking to a troll in the Deep Dark Woods, everything changes. Everyone knows that trolls mean t... read more

Elinor has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Austin G.

Austin G.

Mar, 2024

A Masterstroke of Editing When you're writing a book, you generally expect your editor to be a necessary evil – someone who corrects spelling mistakes and fixes commas. But Eilnor? They're not just an editor, but a true artist. From the moment they took on our manuscript, we knew we were dealing with someone special. Eilnor didn't just skim through the text, they dived in and brought every se...
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Jason R. W.

Jason R. W.

Dec, 2023

Elinor was fantastic; she took the time to really read and understand my piece, which led to some very thoughtful comments. It's obvious that she draws on a wealth of experience both in directly commenting on my writing and style and in sharing how my approaches might connect to the broader context of agents and publishers. Her insight is clear, nuanced, and impactful.
Nate P.

Nate P.

Sep, 2023

Elinor is clearly a pro. She read the book promptly and sent back a very thorough response with many paragraphs of ideas/suggestions, as well as a line by line breakdown. She really knows her stuff and it shows. I will definitely use her again.
Kathy U.

Kathy U.

Apr, 2022

As ever, it's been great working with Elinor. Her experience and knowledge of the industry shines through every step of the way and really helped get my manuscript in better shape. Thank you
Nina Y.

Nina Y.

Jan, 2022

It was such a pleasure to work with Elinor on my project. Her responses were in depth, and crafted with close attention to detail. She not only offered me great insight on alterations to small aspects that could really enhance my story, but also was very encouraging and kind. Elinor is prompt and submitted revisions well before the deadline that I had set, which was an added bonus. Her experien...
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