Emily Yau - Editor
A Bookseller Rising Star and commercial fiction editor with ten years editing experience at Penguin Random House, Hachette and HarperCollins
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Overview
I love working with authors, helping them reach their vision and make their book shine. I can be as hands on as needed, from identifying the problem areas and suggesting solutions, to in-depth line edits. I'm passionate about finding the gold in a story and bringing it to the fore, whilst remaining sensitive to an author's voice and style. As a copyeditor and proofreader, I am incredibly meticulous with a high attention to detail.
My main areas of expertise are women's fiction, crime/thrillers and, having worked at Del Rey, science fiction and fantasy. I've worked on a small number of literary novels and non fiction and I'm keen to do more.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
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See what authors are saying about my previous edits:
"I couldn't have asked for a better editor than Emily. She has a fantastic eye for exactly those tricky problems that are hard for a writer to spot in their own work. Her feedback was always honest but sensitive." Beth O'Leary, author of The Flatshare
"There are many reasons why Emily is brilliant editor. She is calm, focussed and objective, and the feeling I had when working with her was that she was my guide rather than my judge. She never pushed me in one direction or another, just lent me fresh perspectives." Adrian J Walker, author of The End of the World Running Club
My main areas of expertise are women's fiction, crime/thrillers and, having worked at Del Rey, science fiction and fantasy. I've worked on a small number of literary novels and non fiction and I'm keen to do more.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
-
See what authors are saying about my previous edits:
"I couldn't have asked for a better editor than Emily. She has a fantastic eye for exactly those tricky problems that are hard for a writer to spot in their own work. Her feedback was always honest but sensitive." Beth O'Leary, author of The Flatshare
"There are many reasons why Emily is brilliant editor. She is calm, focussed and objective, and the feeling I had when working with her was that she was my guide rather than my judge. She never pushed me in one direction or another, just lent me fresh perspectives." Adrian J Walker, author of The End of the World Running Club
Languages
English (AUS)
English (CAN)
English (NZ)
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Dystopian
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Romance
Science Fiction
Thriller & Suspense
Women's Fiction
Certifications
- Proofreading - Publishing Training Centre
- Copy-editing - Publishing Training Centre
- Working with Authors - Publishing Training Centre
Awards
- Bookseller Rising Star 2017
Work experience
Editorial Director
Boldwood Books
July, 2022
–
Present
(9 months)
I commission and publish a list of fiction across all commercial genres: largely crime/thriller, women's fiction, and historical.
Editorial Director
Quercus (Hachette UK)
August, 2017
–
December, 2018
(over 1 year)
I commissioned and published commercial fiction novels, including The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary, The Love Note by Tracy Rees and The Last Thing She Told Me by Linda Green.
Commissioning Editor
Ebury & Del Rey (Penguin Random House)
March, 2012
–
August, 2017
(over 5 years)
I commissioned and published commercial fiction novels, including The One by John Marrs and Final Girls by Riley Sager. I also worked with authors such as Andy Weir, Caitlin Moran and Rowan Coleman.
Departmental Co-ordinator
Orion Publishing (Hachette UK)
September, 2011
–
March, 2012
(6 months)
Working in the paperbacks division, I checked and proofread ebooks.
Editorial Trainee
Avon (HarperCollins)
September, 2010
–
September, 2011
(about 1 year)
I spent most of my time here managing and collating proofreading jobs as well as some development and line editing. Here, I worked with authors such as Miranda Dickinson and Jaishree Misra.
Portfolio (16 selected works)
The One
John Marrs
NOW A MAJOR NETFLIX ORIGINAL DRAMAHOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO FIND THE ONE?A #1 ebook bestseller and featured on Simon Mayo's Radio 2 book club. Perfect for fans of BEHIND HER EYES and BLACK MIRROR.One simple mouth swab is all it takes. A quick DNA test to find your perfect partner - the one you're genetically made for.A decade after scientists discover everyone has a gene they share with just one... read more
The Flatshare
Beth O'Leary
THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP FIVE BESTSELLER'Set to become the romcom of the year - a Sleepless In Seattle for the 21st century'Sunday Express'Funny and winning... a Richard Curtis rom-com that also has its feet firmly planted in real life. A real treat'Stylist'The last book to completely emotionally absorb me in this way was Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, and I think fans of that will adore thi... read more
The Martian
Andy Weir
_________________________A survival story for the 21st century and the international bestseller behind the major film from Ridley Scott, starring Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain.I'm stranded on Mars.I have no way to communicate with Earth.I'm in a habitat designed to last 31 days.If the oxygenator breaks down, I'll suffocate. If the water reclaimer breaks down, I'll die of thirst. If the hab b... read more
Final Girls
Riley Sager
TO SURVIVE A KILLER, YOU NEED A KILLER'S INSTINCTAn unbelievably gripping psychological thriller to keep you awake at night full of twists you'll NEVER see coming. Perfect for fans of C.L. Taylor's The Fear and Karin Slaughter's The Good Daughter'If you liked GONE GIRL, you'll like this' Stephen KingThree girls. Three tragedies. One unthinkable secret.The media calls them the Final Girls – Qui... read more
The End of the World Running Club
Adrian J. Walker
A powerful post-apocalyptic thriller, perfect for fans of The End of the F*cking World.'A real find' STEPHEN KINGWhen the world ends and you find yourself stranded on the wrong side of the country, every second counts.No one knows this more than Edgar Hill. 550 miles away from his family, he must push himself to the very limit to get back to them, or risk losing them forever...His best option ... read more
How to Build a Girl
Caitlin Moran
Soon to be a major film directed by Coky Giedroyc and starring Ladybird's Beanie Feldstein as Johanna Morrigan and Game of Thrones's Alfie Allen as John KiteMy name’s Johanna Morrigan. I’m fourteen, and I’ve just decided to kill myself.I don’t really want to die, of course! I just need to kill Johanna, and build a new girl. Dolly Wilde will be everything I want to be, and more! But as with all... read more
The Last Thing She Told Me
Linda Green
'A chiller with a puzzling mystery that manages to be a tearjerker too. Prepare for sleepless nights' GraziaEven the deepest-buried secrets can find their way to the surface...Moments before she dies, Nicola's grandmother Betty whispers to her that there are babies at the bottom of the garden. Nicola's mother claims she was talking nonsense. However, when Nicola's daughter finds a bone while p... read more
The Summer of Impossible Things
Rowan Coleman
If you could change the past, would you?*As seen on ITV in The Zoe Ball Book Club*'Beautiful, well-written...I got goosebumps' Alex Jones'Portrayed 1977 so brilliantly...it would make an amazing movie' Zoe Ball -----------------------------------------------How far would you go to save the person you love?Luna is about to do everything she can to save her mother's life.Even if it means sacrifi... read more
The Love Note
Tracy Rees
A heartwarming tale of love, family and acceptance, The Love Note is a simply gorgeous read...In their townhouse in Richmond, Blue and her family are as happy and as close as can be - well, on the surface at least. But with the arrival of a young, destitute woman hoping to escape her abusive husband, they must finally confront the rifts that keep them apart. When they welcome Delphine into the... read more
The Stranger You Know
Jane Casey
The latest crime thriller featuring detective Maeve Kerrigan - winner of the Mary Higgins Clark AwardHe meets women.He gains their trust.He kills them.That’s all Maeve Kerrigan knows about the man she is hunting. Three women have been strangled in their homes by the same sadistic killer. With no sign of a break-in, every indication shows that they let him in.But the evidence is pointing at a s... read more
The Pets at Primrose Cottage
Sheila Norton
A charming and romantic story about living the simple life and the joy of animals, from the author of THE VETS AT HOPE GREEN.Emma Nightingale needs a place to hide away. Fresh from the heartbreak of a failed relationship, she takes refuge in quiet Crickleford. And not before long – and quite accidentally too – Emma finds herself the town’s favourite pet-sitter, a role she isn’t certain of at f... read more
The Burning House
Neil Spring
'Brimming with suspense and ghostly apparitions, Spring's scorching thriller moves at a cracking pace and has a stunning twist in its devil's tail' Lancashire Evening Post'Don't expect to breathe easily until the last page has turned' Pendle TodayBoleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness has remained empty for years. Its dark history and rumours of hauntings - and worse - have scared all pros... read more
The Lost Boys
Lilian Carmine
Fate has brought them together. But will it also keep them apart? Having moved to a strange town, seventeen-year-old Joey Gray is feeling a little lost, until she meets a cute, mysterious boy near her new home.But there’s a very good reason why Tristan Halloway is always to be found roaming in the local graveyard... Perfect for fans of Stephenie Meyer and Lauren Kate, The Lost Boys is a magica... read more
The Shadow Throne
Django Wexler
"An immensely entertaining novel" (Tor.com) from the author of The Thousand Names...The King of the Vordan is on his deathbed. Soon his daughter, Raesinia will be the first Queen Regnant in centuries-and a target for those who seek to control her. The most dangerous is Duke Orlanko, Minister of Information, and master of the secret police. He is the most feared man in the kingdom, and he knows... read more
A Conspiracy of Alchemists
Liesel Schwarz
In a Golden Age where spark reactors power the airways, and creatures of Light and Shadow walk openly among us, a deadly game of Alchemists and Warlocks has begun. When an unusual cargo drags airship-pilot Elle Chance into the affairs of the mysterious Mr Marsh, she must confront her destiny and do everything in her power to stop the Alchemists from unleashing a magical apocalypse.Combining th... read more
Dark Touch
Debbie Johnson
It’s not easy finding out you’re a Goddess. For Lily McCain, the move from local music journalist to being the incarnation of Mabe, Mother of Mortals was a surprise to say the least.Thrust into a game of gods and monsters, the rules of which she barely knows, one thing is clear: if you have power, someone will try to take it from you.A Daily Express magazine 'Must Read!'Debbie Johnson is also ... read more
Emily has 52 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Emily provided valuable insight into a text I must have read a thousand times myself. She professionally edited my manuscript to streamline my sentences and found all those repetitive words I didn't realise I was using. As a new author, Emily offered invaluable knowledge of writing conventions that I can reflect upon to improve further scripts. She was helpful and kind, answering any questions...
Read more
Kathryn Cook, June 2022
Reply from Emily Yau
I'll keep this brief. As a debut author, Emily has set my standard for what editors ought to be like, and in the future, if for some reason I need to rely on a different editor, they'll have a lot to live up to.
She keeps things detailed but concise when it comes to the line edit.
And on the developmental side, she's critical but respectful, highlighting weaknesses while also seeking to hone ex...
Read more
Sean Sumugat, May 2022
Reply from Emily Yau
I had no idea what to expect. I found her work to be very helpful. She offered ideas to go with her corrections and her work was right on time.
DAN DUBIEL, April 2022
Working with Emily is great. She's very responsive and she was willing to negotiate my quote to suit both of our needs. Her revisions are thorough and clear, both in the overview and the line edit.
Amanda Dove, April 2022
Reply from Emily Yau
We went in depth into everything I had concerns about. She really helped me with my query letter and then even offered to edit my synopsis which we hadn’t previously agreed upon. Emily was great!
Lee Johnson, March 2022
Reply from Emily Yau
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