Hugh Barker

Hugh Barker – Editor

I'm an enthusiastic, honest writer/editor/publisher with decades of experience. I love editing all kinds of non-fiction, fiction and memoir.

Overview

I'm an editor and writer, with many years of experience as a commissioning editor and publishing director at companies including Constable & Robinson, Michael O'Mara and (as author) Faber, W.W. Norton, Bloomsbury, Ebury and Atlantic. I have worked on a wide variety of subjects including art, history, science, mathematics, philosophy and most other areas, as well as fiction, memoir, crime, gifte and humour books. I have significant experience in the sales & marketing departments of several publishers, so understand their mindset, and have also been an author and ghostwriter myself, having written over 20 books (under my own name and pseudonyms). I do my best to take each manuscript and improve it as much as I can, in whatever way I think is necessary. I will always go the extra mile to deliver a great job.


I understand where you are coming from as a writer, whether you are a beginner or a published author; I will be direct and honest with you, and aim to deliver the best result I can.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Health & Wellbeing Humanities & Social Sciences Math & Science
Fiction
Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Romance
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Apr, 2016 — Present

I write books for several major publishers including Penguin and Hachette; some of these have been translated into more than 20 languages. My past publishers have included Constable, Faber, Atlantic Bloomsbury and W.W.Norton. I also work regularly as a freelancer for publishers around the UK and the US, as well as taking on a wide variety of jobs via Reedsy, which I find endlessly enjoyable and fascinating. In addition, I contribute book reviews to a UK magazine.

Michael O'Mara

Apr, 2014 — Aug, 2016 (over 2 years)

As publishing director, I oversaw all the firm's editors and was fully responsible for the non-fiction lists. This deepened my knowledge of how the editing process works, at all levels, and how to make a book successful.

Constable & Robinson

Jan, 2004 — Apr, 2014 (about 10 years)

I had a variety of roles, starting in the sales department, then commissioning and acquiring hundreds of books, including both fiction and non-fiction, and ending up as a commissioning editor. I had numerous bestsellers, and brought in successful authors in numerous genres.

Quarto

Jan, 2001 — Jan, 2004 (about 3 years)

This was my first job in publishing, although I previously worked as a proof-reader and in bookshops for several years. It was useful as a starter experience in understanding how publishing works, and what readers and publishers are looking for.

Portfolio

If you have ever wanted to create a comic, graphic novel, animation, film, television series, or even a book, then Create Your Own Universe is here to help you get started. A fun, imaginative and interactive guide to creating your own characters and worlds, th... read more
Bookshop That Floated Away
We're going on a bar hunt.We're going to find a cool one.The babysitter's booked.We're not old!Bestselling authors Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd also happen to be parents, so they understand the complications of organising a rare night out. In this parody of the ... read more
'Can books conduct electricity?''My children are just climbing your bookshelves: that's ok... isn't it?' A John Cleese Twitter question ['What is your pet peeve?'], first sparked the "Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops" blog, which grew over three years i... read more
The world of business books is a curious place where one can find everyone from great businesspeople like Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, to the most spectacular business failures such as Enron and the sub-prime business market. There are geniuses, h... read more
Musicians strive to “keep it real”; listeners condemn “fakes”; ... but does great music really need to be authentic? Did Elvis sing from the heart, or was he just acting? Were the Sex Pistols more real than disco? Why do so many musicians base their approach o... read more
This is the story of how Britishhedgerows contribute to our national identity and our wildlife. Overthe centuries we have proved ourselves to be a nation of hedge growers,marking boundaries or trimming them into fantastical creations. Fromformal garden feature... read more

Hugh has 301 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Carol B.

Carol B.

Mar, 2025

A reliable editor that continues to help in all aspects of my developing manuscript. From structure advice to readability, Hugh's professionalism and honest feedback is second to none! Highly recommended!
Rakesh K.

Rakesh K.

Mar, 2025

I had the pleasure of working with Hugh for both developmental and copy editing on my manuscript, and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. Hugh is exceptionally proficient in his work, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the editing process. He approached my ma...
Read more
Gary M.

Gary M.

Feb, 2025

It was a pleasure working with Hugh. Very professional and a great result in the end.
Karl R.

Karl R.

Feb, 2025

I've collaborated with Hugh on multiple projects, both large and small. He always delivers thorough and insightful edits and comments. I highly recommend Hugh for anyone seeking an editor for their manuscript. Karl
Joshua T.

Joshua T.

Feb, 2025

Hugh was a pleasure to work with, he gave me some really positive insights that really helped going through my book. Great editor, would hire again!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Hugh and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Hugh

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Katie Caruana

Katie C.

Editor with almost twenty years experience in publishing, specializing in proofreading of women's fiction and memoirs.

Boston, MA, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Christopher Noël

Christopher N.

I've been a freelance editor for 25 years, working with clients on novels and memoirs later published by Dutton, W.W. Norton, Scribner, etc.

Calais, VT, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
John Mahony

John M.

23 years experience in editing all subjects. Memoir, Biography, History, Politics, Arts and Literature expert, and some Fiction editing too.

Australia

100% reply rate

View profile