Susie Helme

Susie Helme – Editor

Developmental Editor, Copy Editor, Proofreader. Award-winning author. Ex-magazine editor with experience editing novels.

Overview

I have extensive professional experience in journalism, magazine editing and sub-editing. For many years, I was editor of Mobile Communications Asia and other telecoms magazines.
I am an award-winning author. My debut historical novel, The Lost Wisdom of the Magi, was awarded the 2021 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical. My 2nd and 3rd (as yet unpublished) novels are finalists. The Genizah Codex was a finalist for the 2022 Killer Nashville Claymore Award for Best Historical. Dreaming of Jerusalem was a finalist for the 2022 Killer Nashville Claymore Award for Best Action Adventure.
I also have experience editing novels, and I have beta-read, proofread and/or developmentally edited 23 novels/books to date.
I am a prolific reader and book reviewer, and I regularly write book reviews for the Historical Novels Society magazine Historical Novels Review and for Reedsy Discovery. You can read my book reviews on Reedsy, Goodreads, Amazon or Bookbub. I currently sub-edit Dignity magazine.
I can help you get your manuscript in tip-top shape ready for publication, either Developmental Editing, Copy Editing or Proofreading.
For Copy Editing, I will go through your manuscript correcting grammar, spelling and punctuation mistakes and ensuring stylistic consistency.
For Developmental Editing, I will also point out the work’s strong and weak points, anachronisms, plot flaws, inconsistencies or unrealistic dialogue. I will make suggestions on structure, chapter and paragraph order, plot devices, character motivation and development, protagonist and antagonist conflict, plot twists, pace, dramatisation, voice, building suspense, word choice, or any other special requirement you may have.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Contemporary Fiction Mystery & Crime Women's Fiction
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing History
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • 2021 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical
  • ‘Mrs Joseph Campbell’ shortlisted Writers’ Retreat Short, Short Story Competition Summer 2020
  • Finalist 2022 Killer Nashville Claymore Award for Best Historical
Certifications
  • BA Japanese Linguistics - International Christian University, 1976
  • PUW for Graduates (Japanese translation, Journalism) - Hatfield Polytechnic, 1989
  • Periodical Journalism for Graduates - London College of Printing, 1992

Work experience

Self-employed

Mar, 2021 — Present

I offer freelance services in proofreading and developmental editing. My favourite genre is historical fiction, the older the timescale the better, but I love reading and encouraging new writers, and I would love to help you with your novel.

Dignity Magazine

Jun, 2019 — Present

EuroWeek Magazine

Jun, 2005 — Oct, 2009 (over 4 years)

Billing Magazine; Unified Communications International Magazine

Mar, 2001 — Feb, 2002 (11 months)

Mobile Communications Asia

Jun, 1999 — Oct, 2000 (over 1 year)

Mobile Communications International

Mar, 1996 — Nov, 1999 (over 3 years)

Portfolio

Journey to Jaffna

Rajes Bala

The Conrad Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
The Dig: A Guide to Self-Discovery and Deep-Level Transformation

McCarroll, James

Holy Impact Publishing, LLC

Copy Editing
In The Joshua Sea

Stillman, M

Gneiss

Developmental Editing
The Mafidon Inheritance

Akinode, Yomi

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Lidu’s Awakening

Bennett, Valerie

Independently published

Developmental Editing
The Curious Case of the Kitnapped Cat (The Stoat Hall Legacy Book Club 7)

thompson, em

Eccentric Directions

Developmental Editing
Elliefant's Graveyard : The Curious Case of the Throatslit Man (The Prendergast of The Yard Casebooks Book 1)

thompson, em

Developmental Editing
RESISTANCE: BOOK 3 FRATERNITY

McGinness, Eilidh

Copy Editing
My Superconscious Mind: A Maiden Voyage Into the Vast and Ancient Sea of Metaphysical Knowledge

Major, Marcas

Developmental Editing
Queen of the West (QUEEN OF THE WEST TRILOGY)

Zink, JR

Copy Editing Proofreading
Of Good and Evil: A Thriller (The Tree of Knowledge Book 2)

Miller, Daniel G.

Developmental Editing
The Tree of Knowledge

Miller, Daniel G.

Developmental Editing
The Banks of the River Thillai

Bala, Rajes

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
War Story

Margenau, Rolf

Parted Waters

Cook, Deborah

Great Crossing

Bornay, Judalon de

Looked After Boy

Brennan, Lynda M

Developmental Editing
The Caduca

Graham-Leigh, Elaine

Developmental Editing
The Lost Wisdom of the Magi: the memoirs of Sophia Zealotes

Helme, Susie

Susie has 15 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Britta E.

Britta E.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
Working with Susie was a very rewarding experience. She was quite responsive to messages and queries and I found her notes and comments respectful and constructive. Many of her suggestions were logical and changes made worked out well. I noticed that her practical knowledge of language is excellent. Although I used to teach in the public school system and have also tutored reading, I fe...
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mat S.

mat S.

Jul, 2023

Pinned
Beyond the excellent notes, the professional insights into structure and style, the obvious expertise in fleshing out a story's weaknesses and strengths, Susie gave me a life moment with her review.
Susie H.
thank you
Daniel M.

Daniel M.

Mar, 2022

Pinned
Susie did a wonderful job proofreading my novel. She completed her work ahead of schedule, caught numerous errors, and even added a few great story notes. I wholeheartedly recommend her.
Susie H.
thank you.
Megan E.

Megan E.

Jul, 2024

Thank you for your review. My illogical brain is working through your helpful suggestions. Although my thoughts about Islam may not be the same as yours I take your pointers into consideration, Your professionalism have been great.
Susie H.
thanks and good luck
Roger Fred G.

Roger Fred G.

Apr, 2024

Susie did an excellent job marking up my text and pointing out I need to provide more detail in the surroundings, emote more of the emotions of the characters, and realize that most people don’t understand the Southwest Florida dialect and nuances. Also, do not expect everyone to “get” subtle hints as to the characters ethnicity. If you are writing the story you think that everyone will see th...
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Susie H.
Thank you for this thoughtful review, which also gives me some food for thought regarding my own writing. I wd love to work with Fred again. Susie

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