Lydia Good

Lydia Good – Editor

With 15 years experience, I am an experienced developmental editor for personal development, cookery, health, and all things lifestyle.

Overview

I have held senior editorial roles at three of the big five publishers (PRH, Hachette, HarperCollins). I am dedicated to helping authors and publishers refine their work and achieve their publishing goals, ensuring high-quality content development and polished manuscripts.

Services include: Developmental/Structural Editing | Project Management for illustrated and cookery books | Author consultations | Publishing Consultancy | Proposal and Pitch Writing

My experience ranges from working closely with authors and managing complex illustrated and narrative books for mass market readers, to commissioning and developing IP trend-led gift books, and managing many stake holders to deliver brand partnership publications.

I have published a wonderfully diverse range of non fiction including several Sunday Times Bestsellers. I love bringing people together and finding creative publishing solutions to exciting and important projects.

Services
Non-Fiction
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Design DIY & Crafts Health & Wellbeing Home & Garden Psychology Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sex & Relationships
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2026 — Present
- Provide expert editorial services to authors and publishers - Structural and developmental edits - Book doctoring and coaching - Publishing guidance and mentorship - Project management - Proposals and pitch writing

Hachette

Dec, 2024 — Jul, 2026 (over 1 year)
- Managed the Yellow Kite imprint and developed ongoing strategy - Commissioned and published a range of health, wellbeing and cookery titles - Worked closely with authors and agents to develop ideas, seeing them through to the final book - Mentored junior colleagues across the company and guided publishing decisions

HarperNonFiction

Sep, 2017 — Dec, 2024 (over 7 years)
- Set up and ran a new gift and IP imprint - Managed the Thorsons list - Commissioned and published health, cookery, lifestyle and wellbeing titles - Managed a team of four - Developed ongoing strategy and business model - Worked with a diverse range of authors and brand partners - Developed strong relationships with authors through one-to-one book coaching and detailed editorial consultation

Ebury

Jan, 2015 — Nov, 2017 (almost 3 years)
- Assisted, commissioned and published across the Enterprises and Lifestyle lists. - Worked closely with authors, illustrators and designers on delivering finished manuscripts for publications - Pitched to external businesses for brand partnerships

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Plant Lady

Bastow, Emma

HarperCollins

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
THE BIG O

Oloni

Thorsons

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Tiny Traumas

Meg Arroll

Thorsons/Element GB

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Rock My Wedding: Your Day Your Way

O'Shea, Charlotte

Ebury Press

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Query Letter Review Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
How to Eat Brilliantly Every Day

Abel & Cole

Ebury Press

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Halloumi Cookbook

Heather Thomas

HarperCollins Publishers

Developmental Editing
Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Thorsons Good Energy.

Casey Means

Thorsons

Developmental Editing
The Cadbury Mini Eggs Cookbook

Cadbury

HarperCollins

Developmental Editing Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching

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