Susie Helme

Susie Helme – Editor

Award-winning author and former magazine editor. Offering developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading. Let's get your book published!

Overview

Get your manuscript publication-ready with expert editing services.


Proofreading: I will go through your manuscript with a fine-tooth comb, correcting spelling, grammar and punctuation.


Copy Editing: Beyond correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation, I’ll ensure stylistic consistency and clarity throughout your work.


Developmental Editing: I will provide in-depth feedback on your manuscript, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, identifying plot inconsistencies, enhancing character development, improving unrealistic dialogue and refining structure. Whether you need advice on protagonist-antagonist conflict, plot twists, pacing, dramatisation, voice, building suspense, or word choice, I’m here to help.


I write historical fiction, but I have experience editing novels from all genres and non-fiction, too.


As an award-winning author and former magazine editor, I bring years of writing and editing to my work.


My debut novel, The Lost Wisdom of the Magi, was Winner of the 2021 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical. The Genizah Codex, published July 2024, was a Finalist for the 2022 Claymore Award for Best Historical.


I also review books for Historical Novels Review and Reedsy Discovery. You can read my book reviews on Reedsy, Goodreads, Amazon or Bookbub.


Every novel needs an objective eye, a third-party professional editor who is not your friend or your mum. I am passionate about bringing fine literature into the world, and I would like to work with you to get you there. Ready to polish up your manuscript? Let’s get started today!

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Science Fiction Women's Fiction
Non-Fiction
Health & Wellbeing Inspirational
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

Feb, 2022 — Present

Historical Novels Review

Sep, 2021 — Present
Book reviewer for Historical Novels Review, magazine of the Historical Novels Society

Reedsy Discovery

Jun, 2021 — Present
Book reviewer for Reedsy Discovery

Dignity magazine

Jun, 2021 — Sep, 2024 (over 3 years)
Subedit Dignity, a magazine for elders

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 have experience with all genres, and I love reading and encouraging new writers. I would love to help you with your novel and get you published!

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)

Self-employed

Jan, 1995 — Present

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Parted Waters

Cook, Deborah

Made with Reedsy
The Tree of Knowledge

Miller, Daniel G.

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

Zink, JR

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

Miller, Daniel G.

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
My Superconscious Mind: A Maiden Voyage Into the Vast and Ancient Sea of Metaphysical Knowledge

Major, Marcas

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
RESISTANCE: BOOK 3 FRATERNITY

McGinness, Eilidh

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Lidu’s Awakening

Bennett, Valerie

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Mafidon Inheritance

Akinode, Yomi

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Dig: A Guide to Self-Discovery and Deep-Level Transformation

McCarroll, James

Holy Impact Publishing, LLC

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
In The Joshua Sea

Stillman, M

Gneiss

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Sentinel Athlete Conspiracy

Broome, Sharon

Inspiring Publishers

Developmental Editing
The Happy Thistle.: The Curious Case of The Katenapped Girl (Volume Two of the Prendergast of The Yard Casebook) (The Prendergast of The Yard Casebooks Book 2)

thompson, em

Eccentric Directions

Developmental Editing
Murder on The Ordinary Express: The Curious Case of The Butcher of St. Mary Nook. Volume 3 of the Prendergast of The Yard Casebooks

thompson, em

Developmental Editing
Journey to Jaffna

Rajes Bala

The Conrad Press

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
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
The Banks of the River Thillai

Bala, Rajes

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
War Story

Margenau, Rolf

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 ...
Read more
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 hin...
Read more
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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