Overview
With around 200 titles on the list, I have commissioned and edited a wide range of topics, from personality disorder, depressive illness and anxiety, to arthritis, tinnitus and fibromyalgia. I have worked with doctors, nurses, medical journalists and those writing their first book. In all cases, development of an authorial voice is as important as presentation of clear information and sound advice.
The Sheldon Press books have frequently won awards at the BMA Medical Book Awards and are selected for the national Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme.
Titles include:
Depressive Illness, The Curse of the Strong, Dr Tim Cantopher
Toxic People: Coping with dysfunctional relationships, Dr Tim Cantopher (Highly Commended, BMA Medical Book Awards 2018)
Autism and Asperger Syndrome in Adults, Dr Luke Beardon
Therapy Pets, A Guide, Jill Eckersley (Highly Commended, BMA Medical Book Awards 2017)
Coping with Memory Problems, Dr Sallie Baxendale (a Books on Prescription title)
Taming the Beast Within: Shredding the stereotypes of personality disorder, Professor Peter Tyrer
Mental Health in Children and Young People: Spotting symptoms and seeking help early, Dr Sarah Vohra
Living with Tinnitus and Hyperacusis, Dr Laurence McKenna, Dr David Baguley, Dr Don McFerran
How to Stop Worrying, Dr Frank Tallis (A Books on Prescription title)
The Sheldon Short Guide to Phobias and Panic, Professor Kevin Gournay (a Books on Prescription title)
Coping with the Psychological Effects of Illness: Strategies to manage anxiety and depression, Dr Fran Smith, Dr Carina Eriksen, Professor Robert Bor (Highly Commended, BMA Medical Book Awards 2015)
I have also worked on a number of series, including:
The Dr Dawn Guides - a series of 10 health books by Dr Dawn Harper of the TV show Embarrassing Bodies
The Mindful Way, a series exploring how mindfulness can help with specific conditions and situations, such as Pain Management, Dr Cheryl Rezek, and Life Crisis, Catherine G. Lucas
The Drug-Free Way – a series explaining how complementary therapies may help certain conditions, such as Depression and Anxiety the Drug-Free Way, Mark Greener, and Menopause the Drug-Free Way, Dr Juliet Bressan
Sheldon Guides and Short Guides - shorter books of 20,000+ words
Services
Non-Fiction
Languages
Work experience
Self-employed
A highly literate and experienced editor and writer, seeing books through from concept to publication.
Previous experience
Senior Commissioning Editor, Sheldon Press 2004-2018
Responsible for formulating and implementing the publishing strategy at Sheldon Press, a leading publisher of health and self-help books. Commissioning a portfolio of medical and psychological books, with around 200 titles, this involved day-to-day management of all aspects of the publishing business, working with sales and marketing, rights, design, and finance department to ensure targets are met for turnover, and to maintain Sheldon's identity as a comprehensive health and medical list within the book trade.
1998-2004
Freelance journalist and writer, Guardian, Sun, Sunday Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, Woman, Practical Parenting, Parents, Top Santé, Here’s Health, Best, Bella, The Lady, Channel 4, BBC Woman’s Hour.
Author of 10 non-fiction books:
Coping Successfully with Your Second Child, Sheldon Press
Coping with Postnatal Depression, Sheldon Press
Losing a Parent, Sheldon Press, Perseus Book Group, USA
Your Child: Epilepsy, Harper Collins
Epilepsy the Natural Way, Harper Collins
Coping with Epilepsy, with Prof. Pamela Crawford, Sheldon Press
Your Man’s Health, Sheldon Press
Seasonal Affective Disorder, Sheldon Press, Positive Options for Seasonal Affective Disorder Hunter House, USA
Living with Autism, Sheldon Press
Living with Down’s Syndrome, Sheldon Press,
Overcoming Tiredness and Exhaustion Sheldon Press
Portfolio
Fiona has 15 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
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Jack G.
Dec, 2022
Jacqui E.
Nov, 2022
Julian M.
Nov, 2022
Jessica L.
Nov, 2022
Dylan W.
Oct, 2022
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