Overview
Hello there. I'm an experienced non-fiction senior commissioning editor having previously worked in academic publishing for over 10 years. For the last five years I have been working as a writing coach and mentor, working with authors to shape their book ideas, proposals and manuscripts into publishable and marketable books. I'd be very happy to help you with your book project at any stage. I've worked with new authors who know they want to write but don't know where to start, authors stuck on an idea or a project, writers with every stage of draft manuscript imaginable from the roughest of first drafts to those writers who just need help fine-tuning a manuscript and a proposal for submission. I also offer support to authors who simply need someone to work alongside them in what can often be a very lonely process. I notate development comments directly onto drafts with accompanying reports to explain general ideas on tone, style, structure, readership suitability and market viability.
I love books, I love people and I especially love working with writers so please do get in touch if you think I might be able to help. I love working with all non-fiction, but I specialise in the humanities and social sciences as well as popular philosophy, politics and psychology and anything that could be described as personal development. I have a particular interest in psychology as I'm currently completing a second Masters in psychotherapy in my spare time.
I live in the south of France with my three young children, my husband, my dog and my cat.
Testimonials (from LinkedIn)
"Everyone should have an Emma in their lives! She is knowledgeable about different fields in science and the humanities, has a deep understanding of the publishing world. She is attentive, accurate and kind in giving feedback. As an academic in the quest of writing a popular science book, I had a lot to learn: storytelling, being gentle with language, understanding my readers’ needs. Emma followed up all consistently, both during our coaching sessions and through written comments to my drafts. In addition, she is warmhearted, caring. I wish I could hire her full time!"
Olga Lehmann, IPR Institutt for Psyhologisk Radgivning, PhD
Services
Non-Fiction
Languages
Certifications
- Certified Commissioning Editor
Work experience
Self-employed
Building on my years of experience as a commissioning editor, and more recent experience as a life coach I now work with writers and authors from all different backgrounds to help them mould their writing, build their confidence and hone their writing habits. I build a coaching or mentoring programme to suit each client individually, from a single session on writer's block or getting started, to a series of sessions covering the life of a book project. I also work with PhD students who need some additional mentoring. I love words and helping people find their own unique voice through their writing. I work via video conference or telephone and can also read written material in advance when required.
The Hoxby Collective
A period of one year working with this freelancing collective visualising and planning thought leadership in the area of diversity in the workplace and flexible working, planning round table discussions and liaising with all potential participants. I also curated and created content for the Hoxby blog and copy-edited internal content when required.
Polity Books
Senior commissioning editor for Polity Philosophy list, turning it into a world class, commercially successful list encompassing pathbreaking scholarly work, trade books, and textbooks. I also set up a new Health Studies list for Polity in both the UK and North America, carefully researching the subject area, networking with new authors and building a successful textbook list. I researched market trends and publishing opportunities, planned the strategic direction of the list, developed plans for books and series, working closely with advisors and authors at every step of the process.
Portfolio
Emma has 1 review
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Justin D.
Feb, 2023
