Gale Winskill

Gale Winskill – Editor

Editor of award-winning fiction (adult, YA, children’s) & non-fiction, with 30+ years of experience.

Overview

Looking for an editor who's a collaborator and not a dictator? Who's creative, able to think on their feet and adapt to your book? Look no further! Working alongside authors, I empower them to transform their manuscripts into polished works that captivate readers and stand out for their chosen audience. I offer a friendly and professional service that's respectful of the author's intentions and tailored to fit the requirements of each individual job.

With over 30 years of experience, I bring expertise, constructive feedback and a collaborative approach to every book-editing and coaching project, coupled with a good sense of humour. I know all of the problem areas and can help you fix them. So, whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, I can support you as you turn your great idea into a well-written, flowing narrative that will hook readers from the start and hold their attention until the end.

I edit most fiction genres (including those listed below), narrative non-fiction (i.e. memoir) and a wide range of general non-fiction.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Inspirational
Fiction
Children's Fantasy Historical Fiction Romance Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • English Literature and Italian MA Hons.
  • Advanced Professional Member of Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading
  • Partner member of Alliance of Independent Authors
  • Copy-editing (Publishing Training Centre)
  • On-Screen Editing 1 & 2 (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading)
  • Editorial Toolkit: Coaching Writers, Book Doctoring & Ghostwriting (ClubEd)

Work experience

Self-employed

Nov, 2008 — Present
I offer developmental/structural editing, copy-/line editing, critiques, manuscript assessment, proofreading and book coaching. I work for trade publishers, including Hachette and HarperCollins, as well as for independent authors. I also tutor on the HarperCollins Author Academy (fiction stream).

HarperCollins Author Academy

Jan, 2021 — Present
Tutor for the fiction stream of the HarperCollins Author Academy.

Floris Books, Edinburgh

Nov, 1998 — Oct, 2008 (almost 10 years)
In-house children's editor (fiction and picture books) and adult non-fiction editor.

Macmillan, Hong Kong

Apr, 1994 — May, 1995 (about 1 year)
Editing and writing textbooks for Hong Kong schools and mainland Chinese universities

Youth Bookroom, Hong Kong

May, 1993 — May, 1995 (about 2 years)
Writing and editing textbooks for Hong Kong schools.

Portfolio

Canongate Books Life Cycle of a Moth.

Rowe Irvin

Canongate Books

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Floating Hotel

Curtis, Grace

DAW

Copy Editing
Idolfire

Curtis, Grace

DAW

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Yellow-Tail Moth

Shepherd, Margot

Umbel Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
A Beautiful Loan: A Novel

Costello, Mary

W. W. Norton & Company

Copy Editing
Never Closer

Shepherd, Margot

UMBEL

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Grimm

Nicholson, Mike

Kelpies

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Hox

Allan, Annemarie

Floris Books

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Wardrobe Department

Garvey, Elaine

Canongate Books

Copy Editing
Food Fight: From Plunder and Profit to People and Planet

Gillespie, Stuart

HarperCollins Publishers

Copy Editing
Little Ruins: Rebuilding a Life

Coe, Manni

Canongate Books

Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Wartime Book Club

Thompson, Kate

Forever

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing

Gale has 2 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Louise H.

Louise H.

Jan, 2026

Gale was a delight to work with. Everything was done on time as per the schedule I agreed to. She is completely professional. She not only gave helpful critiques on my work but also sent extra articles and sample queries, etc. that were useful to me. She answered all my questions and was pleasant...
Read more
Gale W.
Thanks, Louise. I'm so pleased you enjoyed our collaboration and would be delighted to work with you again in the future.
Bill H.

Bill H.

Jan, 2026

Gale did everything I wanted from her. I sent her 6000 words from a WIP for review. She commented on all levels of the piece - structure, writing style, content, and line edit wording - and I had no problem with taking on board her suggestions for changes. Her work was well documented for easy re...
Read more
Gale W.
Thanks, Bill. It was a pleasure to work with you on your text, and I wish you every success with your project.

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