Hannah Sheppard - Editor
Development Editor and Literary Agent with fifteen years' experience of trade publishing.
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Overview
I worked in house as an editor for over a decade before making the switch to become a literary agent working across children's fiction (middle grade, teen and YA) and adult fiction (crime/thriller and women's fiction).
My interest in editing was sparked by a love of stories. One of my earliest memories is being captivated by the unfolding magic of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and spending the next year hopefully investigating any antique wardrobe I encountered in the hope of finding an entrance to Narnia.
I carry this passion for stories into my work as a freelance editor and literary agent. As a teenager I was an avid reader of detective and mystery stories (Nancy Drew was my hero) and I harboured a secret ambition to become a police investigator. Over the years of working in publishing (at Macmillan Children's Books and Headline, part of the Hachette group) I’ve convinced myself that being an editor is not dissimilar to being a detective. When I’m helping an author develop a novel I’m looking for the holes in the plot, asking the questions that haven’t been covered yet and ensuring everything’s as clear and true to the story as possible.
I offer structural/developmental edits and love to help authors shape their plots and problem solve.
I can also help you prepare for submission to agents to help you stand out in a very crowded inbox.
My interest in editing was sparked by a love of stories. One of my earliest memories is being captivated by the unfolding magic of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and spending the next year hopefully investigating any antique wardrobe I encountered in the hope of finding an entrance to Narnia.
I carry this passion for stories into my work as a freelance editor and literary agent. As a teenager I was an avid reader of detective and mystery stories (Nancy Drew was my hero) and I harboured a secret ambition to become a police investigator. Over the years of working in publishing (at Macmillan Children's Books and Headline, part of the Hachette group) I’ve convinced myself that being an editor is not dissimilar to being a detective. When I’m helping an author develop a novel I’m looking for the holes in the plot, asking the questions that haven’t been covered yet and ensuring everything’s as clear and true to the story as possible.
I offer structural/developmental edits and love to help authors shape their plots and problem solve.
I can also help you prepare for submission to agents to help you stand out in a very crowded inbox.
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Dystopian
Middle Grade
Middle Grade Fantasy
Mystery & Crime
Romance
Thriller & Suspense
Women's Fiction
Young Adult
Work experience
Literary Agent
DHH Literary Agency
July, 2013
–
Present
(over 7 years)
I'm an agent at the DHH Literary Agency in London. I represent authors such as:
Abi Elphinstone
Keris Stainton
Adam Hamdy
Chris McGeorge
Kate Mallinder
Amy Beashel
Darren Charlton
Amy McLellan
Gabrielle Kent
Samantha Baines
Jim Beckett
Olivia Lara
Freelance Editor
N/A
September, 2012
–
Present
(about 8 years)
I'm a freelance editor working through literary consultancies and directly with authors. I can offer editorial reports focusing on structural development as well as line editing but I don't offer copy/proof reading.
Senior Commissioning Editor
Headline (Hachette Group)
August, 2007
–
September, 2012
(about 5 years)
I ran the YA and crossover list at Headline and am proud to have commissioned, amongst others, Julianna Baggott’s PURE trilogy, gorgeous contemporary romance from Jennifer E. Smith, illustrated YA novels from Cathy Brett, teen horror from Andrew Hammond and stunning debut HEART-SHAPED BRUISE by Tanya Byrne which was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Dagger and longlisted for the Branford Boase Award. Tanya was also shortlisted for New Writer of the Year at the National Book Awards.
Assistant Editor
Macmillan Children's Books
October, 2002
–
July, 2007
(over 4 years)
I worked my way up from Editorial Secretary to Assistant editor during the 5 years I worked at Macmillan Children's Books. I supported the senior editors in the department in the publication of their authors (Judy Blume, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Eva Ibbotson, Meg Cabot, Francis Hardinge) and started to commission my own list.
Portfolio (16 selected works)
Heart-shaped Bruise
Tanya Byrne
They say I'm evil. The police. The newspapers. The girls from school who sigh on the six o'clock news and say they always knew there was something not quite right about me. And everyone believes it. Including you. But you don't know. You don't know who I used to be. Who I could have been. Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever shake off my mistakes or if I'll just carry them around with me forever li... read more
City of Fae
Pippa DaCosta
Look, but don't touch. Touch, but don't feel. Feel, but never ever love. From the moment Alina touches London's hottest fae superstar, breaking one of the laws founded to protect all of her kind, her fate – and the fae – close in. Below ground, the fae High Queen plots to claim the city as her own and places her pawns, ready for the battle to come. A battle she cannot lose, but for one small p... read more
Interwoven with tales of World War I, this is a story about growing up, moving on and the strength of a family.Things haven't been going so well for fifteen-year-old Esther Armstrong. With her brother Max - her closest ally - absent, she's forced to face everything alone, not least her parents' heated arguments. As the summer holidays stretch endlessly ahead, she's desperate for something, any... read more
Follow Me Down
Tanya Byrne
The sensationally good Tanya Byrne returns with her new novel - a dark, compulsive tale of obsession and betrayalWhen sixteen-year-old Adamma Okomma, a Nigerian diplomat's daughter, arrives at exclusive Crofton College in Wiltshire, she is immediately drawn to beautiful, tempestuous, unpredictable Scarlett Chiltern. Adamma and Scarlett become inseparable - until they fall for the same guy. Soo... read more
Counting Stars
Keris Stainton
A new life in a new city - what could possibly go wrong . . . ?When eighteen-year-old Anna leaves school and moves to Liverpool, she feels like her life is finally beginning. She's landed her dream job at a theatre, and she's moving into an exciting (if not slightly run-down) houseshare on a buzzing street lined with shops, bars, and buskers. Best of all, her new flatmates are kind, welcoming ... read more
Alone
D J Brazier
The trip of a lifetime - that’s what it was supposed to be, paid for with money Gran left thirteen-year old Sam in her will, but when the small plane taking Sam and his Dad back to the airport crashes in the jungle, Sam is left alone and terrified.As time passes with no sign of rescue, Sam grows weaker and has to dig deep to find levels of resolve and resourcefulness he never knew he had in or... read more
Pendulum
Adam Hamdy
James Patterson has hailed Adam Hamdy's PENDULUM as 'one of the best thrillers of the year' saying he read it in 'one gloriously suspenseful weekend'. A photo-journalist is targeted for death in this high-concept, twisting, dangerous journey through a digital underworld. If you love Simon Kernick and Terry Hayes' I AM PILGRIM, read this.You wake. Confused. Disorientated.A noose is round your n... read more
Eliza Rose
Lucy Worsley
The captivating debut children's novel from popular television historian Lucy Worsley is an exciting and charming glimpse behind the scenes of the Tudor court. I would often wonder about my future husband. A knight? A duke? A stable boy?Of course the last was just a wicked fancy.Eliza Rose Camperdowne is young and headstrong, but she knows her duty well. As the only daughter of a noble family,... read more
Waiting for Callback
Perdita Cargill, Honor Cargill
Geek Girl meets Fame meets New Girl in this brilliantly funny new series! When Elektra is discovered by an acting agent, she imagines Oscar glory can't be far away, but instead lurches from one cringe-worthy moment to the next! Just how many times can you be rejected for the part of 'Dead Girl Number Three' without losing hope? And who knew that actors were actually supposed to be multi-lingua... read more
Guess Who?
Chris McGeorge
'Boils with claustrophobic intensity. Packed with gripping twists and turns, Guess Who? is an inventive, entertaining locked room mystery that kept me utterly hooked.' Adam Hamdy, author of Pendulum 'An ingenious twisty mystery in a totally unique setting.' Claire McGowan, author of Blood TideAt eleven years old, Morgan Sheppard solved the murder of his Maths teacher when everyone else believe... read more
Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil
Melina Marchetta
"More than a crime story; it's jam-packed with family drama and heartbreak. Highly recommended for suspense and mystery fans." --Library JournalIn the wake of a devastating bombing, a father risks everything to find out who was responsible.When Bish Ortley, a recently suspended cop, receives word that a bus carrying his daughter has been bombed, he rushes to be by her side. A suspect has alrea... read more
The Dreamsnatcher
Abi Elphinstone
Twelve-year-old Moll Pecksniff wakes one night in the middle of the forest, lured there by a recurring nightmare - the one with the drums and the rattles and the masks. The Dreamsnatcher is waiting. He has already taken her dreams and now he wants her life. Because Moll is more important than she knows… The Oracle Bones foretold that she and Gryff, a wildcat that has always been by her side, a... read more
Summer of No Regrets
Kate Mallinder
After their exams, four sixteen-year-old best friends pledge to live a summer regret-free, doing what they want to do however much it scares them: Sasha agrees to spend the holiday with her father in Geneva, having not seen him for six years, but is not expecting his new girlfriend, or the young man in the cafe. Shy Hetal decides to go to science camp, and finds a new competitive spirit. Nell ... read more
Someday in Paris
Olivia Lara
A magical new love story about star-crossed lovers, perfect for hopeless romantics and fans of One Day and The Notebook. Finding the one is only the beginning... 1954. Zara is fifteen the first time she meets Leon. During a power cut in a small French museum, the two spend one short hour in the dark talking about their love for art, Monet and Paris. Neither knows what the other looks like. Bot... read more
The Sky is Mine
Amy Beashel
Izzy feels invisible. Trapped under the weight of expectation and censored by shame. Her mum Steph and best friend Grace have always been there to save her. But with one under the control of her stepfather and the other caught in the throes of new love, Izzy is falling between the cracks. As threats to her safety grow, Izzy wants to scream. But first she must find her voice. And if the sky is ... read more
Wranglestone
Darren Charlton
Winter was the only season every Lake-Lander feared…In a post-apocalyptic America, a community survives in a national park, surrounded by water that keeps the Dead at bay. But when winter comes, there’s nothing to stop them from crossing the ice.Then homebody Peter puts the camp in danger by naively allowing a stranger to come ashore and he’s forced to leave the community of Wranglestone. Now ... read more
Hannah has 11 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Hannah is without doubt an incredibly talented editor who has drawn out the best and worst of my work in an encouraging and kind yet honest approach - it's challenged me in all the ways I wanted to improve my manuscript. I can't recommend her highly enough, and I'm so thankful for her insightful views and suggestions.
Jo Clarke, October 2018
It was a good experience. I would recommend her.
Alicia Dill, October 2018
I've used Hannah for content reviews of both my first and second book. She always provides valuable edits and comments. I plan to use her again.
George Jankovic, August 2018
Hannah was great to work with and delivered everything on time. I appreciated her thoughtful notes on my book and I agreed with all the places she pointed out the need to tighten the story up. Her insights were helpful and got my mind working on the next draft!
Natalie Hanson, March 2018
Hannah provided a thoughtful, thorough and perceptive report - exactly as you might expect from a seasoned professionalism. Great job. Thank you.
Laura Wilkinson, September 2017
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Professional editor w/ 10 years of experience at Random House, Quercus, London Writers' Salon. Genre: Thrillers (Adult / YA), Non-fiction.
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