Frances Moloney - Editor
Editor, writer & literary consultant with over ten years of experience, specialising in commercial and literary children’s fiction.
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Overview
I'm a freelance editor, writer and literary consultant with a background in children's publishing. I have previously worked with a wide range of children’s publishers including Simon and Schuster, Hachette, Nosy Crow, Flying Eye, Pushkin and Tate. Most recently, I was Editorial Director at Catnip Books and love working with new authors. My debut novel, The Mystery of the Missing Mum is being published by Pushkin Children's in August 2022.
My skills include proofreading, structural and copy editing, copy writing and literary consultancy.
My main areas of expertise are middle grade, young adult, teen, tween, series fiction and picture books.
I have previously worked on major brands such as Rainbow Magic, My Little Pony and Beast Quest, with authors Leo Hunt, Holly Webb, Berlie Doherty, Pippa Goodhart and Jonathan Meres, and on beautiful colour-fiction titles.
My strengths lie in being an excellent structural editor who can really get into the heart of a story and work out how to bring out the best in each novel I work on. During my freelance career I have worked with a variety of new authors and small businesses on new ventures, and am an experienced mentor for new authors.
My skills include proofreading, structural and copy editing, copy writing and literary consultancy.
My main areas of expertise are middle grade, young adult, teen, tween, series fiction and picture books.
I have previously worked on major brands such as Rainbow Magic, My Little Pony and Beast Quest, with authors Leo Hunt, Holly Webb, Berlie Doherty, Pippa Goodhart and Jonathan Meres, and on beautiful colour-fiction titles.
My strengths lie in being an excellent structural editor who can really get into the heart of a story and work out how to bring out the best in each novel I work on. During my freelance career I have worked with a variety of new authors and small businesses on new ventures, and am an experienced mentor for new authors.
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Young Adult
Certifications
- English with Creative Writing (BA) Hons
- Proofreading - Publishing Training Centre
- Copywriting - Publishing Training Centre
- Copyediting - Publishing Training Centre
Work experience
Freelance Editor, Writer & Literary Consultant
Various
January, 2016
–
Present
(over 6 years)
Working with a variety of clients such as Hachette Children's Group, Simon and Schuster, Amazon, Scallywag, Imagine That and Cornerstones Literary Consultancy.
Offer a range of services: consultancy and editorial services including structural and copy editing, proofreading, manuscript review and copywriting.
Editorial Director
Catnip Books
July, 2019
–
May, 2020
(10 months)
Editorial director for independent children's publisher Catnip Books.
Working with established, prizewinning and debut authors on new publishing and classic titles.
Duties include assessing submissions, acquisitions of new titles and structural editing.
Client Publishing Manager
Bounce Sales & Marketing
August, 2017
–
May, 2020
(over 2 years)
Working with a range of independent children's publishers to deliver the best books into the market.
Clients include Egmont, Scholastic, Nosy Crow, Flying Eye / No Brow, Pushkin Children's and Knights Of.
Duties include taking on new clients, meeting regularly with publishers to discuss forthcoming publication plans, organising sales conferences, managing sales projections and reprint schedules.
Editor
APA Publications
April, 2017
–
July, 2017
(3 months)
Editing a range of travel guides.
Duties include structural and copy editing, checking proofs and writing photo captions.
Copywriting for the website and blog posts.
Head of Editorial & Sales: International Markets
Novellix
July, 2016
–
Present
(almost 6 years)
Overseeing the English language publishing programme on a range of short stories.
Responsible for the English language market; expanding sales into these markets and building relationships with key customers and accounts.
Editor
Orchard Books
September, 2012
–
December, 2015
(about 3 years)
Looking after a range of titles from picture books to YA fiction including brands such as My Little Pony and Beast Quest and authors Leo Hunt, James Mayhew and Holly Webb.
Duties included proofreading, copy and structural editing, copywriting and briefing jacket design.
Portfolio (9 selected works)
Dark Tracks (Order of Darkness Book 4)
Gregory, Philippa, van Deelen, Fred
Eight Rivers of Shadow
Leo Hunt
A thrilling supernatural adventure: dark, funny, with twists at every turn. The sequel to Thirteen Days of Midnight, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Prize 2016.Luke Manchett used to be one of the most popular boys at school.That was before his necromancer father died and left him a host of vengeful ghosts that wanted him dead.Now everyone thinks he's a freak.To make matters worse, t... read more
The World of Norm: 9: May Still Be Charged
Jonathan Meres
The NINTH hilarious title in this award-winning, laugh-out-loud series. For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and David Walliams.Norm knew it was going to be one of those days when he was grounded before he'd even got up...But that's what happens when you run up a phone bill the size of a flipping bus. The trouble is Norm has no idea how it happened! All he knows is that he has to somehow pay it of... read more
Mia is cousin to Olivia, the duchess of Venice; a ruler loved by her subjects for her command of magic and for saving the city from the flood. But Mia harbors a secret hatred of Olivia - her brother and mother were banished by the princess years before, and Mia has never forgiven her. Determined to ignore the powerful magic that is part of Olivia's reign, Mia finds herself lonely and isolated ... read more
Stargirl: Pink
Jerry Spinelli
She's as magical as the desert sky. As mysterious as her own name. Nobody knows who she is or where she's from. But everyone loves her for being different. And she captures Leo's heart with just one smile. STARGIRL is a classic of our time that celebrates being true to ourselves and the thrill of first love. A life-changing read that touches souls of all ages.
A Pocket Full of Murder
R J Anderson
A magical murder mystery set in a fantastical city fuelled by spell power. Isaveth Breck is brave, loyal, and zealous in the pursuit of justice, especially after her father is wrongfully arrested. Quiz, the eccentric eye patch-wearing street boy who befriends her, swears he can't resist a good mystery. Together they set out to solve the magical murder of one of Tarreton's most influential citi... read more
SweetFreak
McKenzie, Sophie
All the Things That Could Go Wrong
Foster, Stewart
Strawberry Sisters: Completely Chloe
Harper, Candy
Frances has 7 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Frances gave me extremely helpful and professional feedback about my work. She was also very encouraging and supportive. Her critique was sensitive, perceptive, thoughtful and constructive. It was a pleasure to work with her. I would definitely like to work with Frances again.
Kate Owen, March 2022
Reply from Frances Moloney
Frances Moloney is the editor every writer should be lucky enough to find. For me our collaboration has been a rich and rewarding experience. Frances was punctual in getting back to me with an in-depth and incisive assessment with insightful guidance and detailed suggestions for changes. Her warm and enthusiastic feedback has been invaluable in highlighting specific aspects regarding charact...
Read more
Geraldine Thomas, December 2021
Reply from Frances Moloney
Francis did a very good job, proofreading for me. I would recommend her as she was thorough and friendly and had some good helpful suggestions. She was very professional in her approach.
John Parnham, November 2021
Reply from Frances Moloney
I'm so glad I found Frances. I used her services for copy-editing my novel and she was brilliant. Her attention to detail is amazing. She went through my novel and helped with minor changes to my sentences which made them sound much better. She answered my grammar questions and made it make sense. I'd recommend her services, and I hope to use her again on further novels.
natalie shaw, October 2021
Reply from Frances Moloney
I could not have asked for a more professional, insightful and supportive collaboration. It matched my expectations and my requirements perfectly. We are already collaborating on the second book in the series.
Barry Litherland, April 2021
Reply from Frances Moloney
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