Lauren Finger

Lauren Finger – Editor

Commercial fiction editor & coach. Supportive, practical, story-focused. 25 yrs in-house & freelance for publishers & authors in Oz, US, UK.

Overview

I'm a very experienced editor with an excellent reputation in trade publishing, including digital publishing. I have worked in-house for Bookouture, a digital publisher of commercial fiction, and before that the more traditional and literary houses, Atlantic Books and Allen & Unwin. I have worked with first-time authors through to high-profile writers.

COACHING

As a fiction coach, I can help you achieve your writing goals with bespoke, regular intensive help. This might involve having an accountability partner, developmental editing and then working on rewrites together, hitting a certain word count or finishing a draft, readying a manuscript for submission or publication, or any other writing goals you want to attain.

Coaching involves goal setting and video meet-ups over an agreed period of time. Each coaching project is particular to you and your needs.

I am kind, thoughtful, practical, very experienced and I know how to help you improve your novel and your writing skills.

Get in touch to discuss how I can help you achieve your writing goals this year!

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EDITING - UNAVAILABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2026

As an editor, I am available for assessments, developmental editing and copyediting of commercial fiction.

So if you have written an entertaining and gripping novel, whether it be historical fiction, women's fiction, crime, thriller or romance, get in touch to see how I can help.

My job is to make your manuscript the best manuscript it can be. I love what I do, and I'm good at it! I have empathy and imagination, a dry sense of humour, I'm kind and communicative, give honest and constructive advice, and will work with you to help you take your manuscript where you want it to go; whether that is to a small group of people, or the world.

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller Romance Women's Fiction
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2018 — Present
Structural/developmental editing, proofreading and manuscript/editorial assessments for independent writers and book publishers. Fiction coaching services for independent writers. Clients include: Aspiring authors, established indie (self-published) authors, Bookouture, Penguin Random House Australia, Harpeth Road Press, HQ Australia, HarperCollins Australia, Echo Publishing, Kill Your Darlings, Moa Press, Allen & Unwin, Brio Books, Canelo, Hera Books, Hardie Grant, Simon & Schuster Australia.

Bookouture

Oct, 2016 — Aug, 2018 (almost 2 years)
Bookouture is a very successful digital publisher of commercial fiction. • Project managing all titles from manuscript to finished product (and across very short schedules) • Liaising with freelance contributors, allocating jobs and fees, checking their work etc. • Briefing copyeditors, proofreaders, typesetters • Editing, proofreading, proof checking • Overseeing and maintaining schedules for all titles in production • Overseeing corrections and distribution processes • Liaising with authors • Mentoring and supervising editorial staff and checking their work

Atlantic Books

Jan, 2012 — Sep, 2016 (over 4 years)
Atlantic Books and its imprints publish literary and commercial fiction and non-fiction • Editing, proofreading, proof checking • Reading and reporting on submissions • Liaising with authors • Project managing all titles and other special projects in-house from manuscript to finished product • Liaising with all freelance contributors, allocating jobs and fees, checking their work etc. • Briefing designers, copyeditors, proofreaders, illustrators, typesetters • Overseeing and maintaining budgets and schedules for all titles in production • Mentoring and supervising editorial staff and checking their work

London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Aug, 2011 — Dec, 2011 (4 months)

Allen & Unwin

Sep, 2005 — Apr, 2011 (over 5 years)
Subjects worked on include: fiction (commercial and literary), memoir, biography, history, politics, current affairs, travel writing, psychology, education, cultural studies, humour, anthologies, military history, self-help, sport, true crime. Roles and Responsibilities: • Project managing several titles at once—overseeing production from manuscript to book • Copyediting and proofreading manuscripts, checking proofs • Collaborating and working with authors • Briefing covers, illustrations and internal designs • Commissioning, working with, and checking work from freelancers, typesetters, printers and pre-press houses • Managing schedules and budgets • Training and mentoring new staff

Portfolio

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
The Adventuress of Albany

Darry Fraser

Wavesound from W. F. Howes Ltd

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Lessons in Love at the Seaside Salon

Green, Sophie

Hachette Australia

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Last Resort

Amanda Hewitt

Wavesound from W. F. Howes Ltd

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
An Ambush of Widows

R. W.R. McDonald

Isis Publishing Ltd

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Curlew's Scream

Leigh, Annette

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Half Truth

Nadia Mahjouri

Penguin

Proofreading
Break the Rules

Lauren Jackson

Proofreading
The Limestone Road

Nicole Alexander

Penguin Random House AU

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Black Sheep

Nunn, Judy

Copy Editing
Normal Functioning Adult: second edition

Valentine, Samantha L.

Sapphic Stories Publishing

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
A Christmas Wish

Leigh, Annette

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Ghost Mothers

Jackie McCarthy

Yasmin has just landed her dream job, the one she’s yearned for since childhood. But it’s all a sham, just like her resume. Will her ghost-mothers reveal her biggest lie of all?When Yasmin Tay... read more
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
You Are Invited: A Ghost Story

Denzil, Sarah A.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing

Lauren has 11 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Mathew F.

Mathew F.

Feb, 2025

Lauren provided a professional line edit to my manuscript and provided several pages of developmental notes. Her line edits improved the prose of my novel and her developmental insights have given me things to consider. She has offered to be of continued support, which is certainly above and beyo...
Read more
Lauren F.
Thank you so much for your review, Mathew. I'm glad my suggestions have been helpful and I wish you all the best with Ocean Child and your future writing projects.
Leigh R.

Leigh R.

Dec, 2024

Lauren did an excellent job copy/line editing my novel. She made herself available for follow-up discussions if I needed it but her comments and corrections made perfect sense so I didn't need to. However, it was reassuring to know I could contact her if needed. The project was finished on time.
Lauren F.
Thank you so much for your review, Leigh! It was lovely working with you.
Kim B.

Kim B.

Dec, 2024

It was a pleasure working with Lauren. Right from the get-go I felt a connection with her. As an Australian it felt good working with a fellow Antipodean. Her assessment was spot-on with extremely useful feedback on my first draft, and first attempt, at writing a crime fiction novel. Lauren provi...
Read more
Lauren F.
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Kim.
Cheryl E.

Cheryl E.

Dec, 2023

Lauren was fantastic. Her feedback was tactful and supportive while still being honest and effective. She picked up on several key points that were very helpful. She was also very generous with her time and assistance. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for an excellent editor.
Lauren F.
Thank you for such a lovely review, Cheryl. It was great fun working on your novel and I wish you all the best of luck with the series.
Leigh R.

Leigh R.

Sep, 2023

I really appreciated Lauren's professionalism - project was delivered on time as arranged. Her help in identifying plot problems I hadn't realised was extraordinary. She also went above and beyond by providing a couple of suggestions to assist me to improve my plot. A great experience.
Lauren F.
Thank you so much, Leigh, for this generous review. I so enjoyed your story and I'm thrilled that you found the edit helpful. Best of luck with the next stages!

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Most recent contributions

What is the biggest mistake writers make in their opening chapters?

Your first chapters have to work VERY hard to engage readers and encourage them to want to read on. Some of the most common issues I see with opening chapters are: Easing us into the story - when you need to be engaging readers and grabbing their attention as soon as possible. Often those first ...
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Why is head-hopping considered a problem in fiction?

It's considered a problem because it creates potential (usually actual) confusion for the reader. It's very hard to switch between different characters' thoughts and points of view within a scene or section of a novel and maintain clarity and momentum. It can be done - but if done well most read...
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