Jackie Bates

Jackie Bates – Editor

Jackie has been editing and proofreading for more than twenty-five years; food, travel, fiction.

Overview


I'm friendly, helpful and inquisitive, and enjoy providing detailed and constructive feedback. I love books of all kinds and genres.

For twenty years I worked on annual guides for the Automobile Association, where I learned a lot about restaurants, hotels, and project management. Working on books with multiple contributors really hones the editorial skills. I know a lot about food and drink and the British restaurant scene, as well as having a comprehensive knowledge of the British Isles in general, covering visitor attractions, history and art.

Since becoming freelance I've expanded into travel narrative and fiction, particularly crime, women's fiction, and fantasy. As a published author myself I know what being edited feels like and understand that it can be an intense experience. I try hard to make the process as pleasant as possible!


Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery & Crime Romance Women's Fiction
Non-Fiction
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits History Travel
Languages
English (UK)
Certifications
  • BA (Hons) English & History, University of Northumbria at Newcastle upon Tyne

Work experience

Self-employed

Jul, 2012 — Present

I've worked on a very wide variety of titles, from food and accommodation guides, (including copy-editing the Good Food Guide) to self-help, recipe books, travel guides, and novels in all genres. I love the detail of copy-editing and proofreading, but also find developmental edits extremely satisfying.

As a published author of fiction and non-fiction titles I hope I have a good understanding of the kind of support that writers find useful.

AA Publishing

Aug, 1995 — Jul, 2012 (almost 17 years)

Working on annually published food and accommodation guides.

Portfolio

The Old Stones: A Field Guide to the Megalithic Sites of Britain and Ireland

Andy Burnham

Copy Editing
Own Life: How to Show Up with Confidence and Take Control of the Future

Eden, Todd

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Adventures of The Mad Duck: My Journey through 73 Countries

Princess Umul Hatiyya Ibrahim Mahama

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Dark Desires (The Black Series Book 1)

Johnson, Sallyanne

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
FoodSutra: A Memoir of the Foods of India

Prasad, Shalabh

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Over Byron Bay: Love lost - Love found (Northern Rivers Book 1)

Ellyson, Jane

Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Suitcase

Graty, Elspeth

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Dark Heart

Johnson, Sallyanne

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Death of a Sapling

Larkin, Jay

Developmental Editing
X (X, Y, Z Trilogy)

Lee, Mandy

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Dangerous Snacks (The Broughton Trilogy Book 1)

Smith, A J

Developmental Editing
How to live with a designer without killing them

Alan Long

Copy Editing
An A-Z guide to being a freelance designer: Insider knowledge to help kick-start your career

Alan Long

Copy Editing
The AA Guide to Scotland (AA Guides)

AA Publishing

No one knows Britain like the AA - we've been producing guides to the best of the country for more than 50 years. Unlike other guides, the AA's new Britain guides are aimed at British readers,... read more
Proofreading
Shut Your Eyes (The You Don't Know Me Trilogy Book 3)

Mandy Lee

‘I’d like to tell him we’re never through with the past, that it’s with us forever, sometimes out of sight, sometimes in full view, always unchangeable. We can only ever learn from it … and ma... read more
Developmental Editing
Annabel Karmel's Baby-Led Weaning Recipe Book: 120 recipes to let your baby take the lead

Annabel Karmel

Proofreading
Breaking Protocol (Joe Flanagan Series Book 1)

John Henry

Joe Flanagan is a forensic scientist, working with the Metropolitan police and based in Whitechapel. In his local pub he intervenes in what appears to be a domestic argument. The man head butt... read more
Copy Editing
True Colours (The You Don't Know Me Trilogy Book 2)

Mandy Lee

Reeling from the shock of discovering Dan’s true identity, Maya struggles to make the right decision. But she’s incapable of resisting the man she loves, and soon finds herself drawn back into... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
The Dictator's Highway

Justin Walker

After seizing power in a violent coup, President Augusto Pinochet ordered the construction of the Carretera Austral, a highway across Chile's southern wilderness. In an absorbing account, Just... read more
Copy Editing
You Don't Know Me

Mandy Lee

Maya Scotton, a young artist with a severe case of painter’s block, is in need of money. When she takes on an office job at a construction company, she finds herself firmly in the sights of th... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing

Jackie has 37 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Judy I.

Judy I.

Feb, 2024

Pinned
This is the fourth time I've worked with Jackie, and as always it's a joy. She's utterly professional, knowledgeable and supportive. I wouldn't want to work with anyone else, and look forward to many more collaborations.
Jackie B.
Always a pleasure, Judy! Looking forward to the next one. :)
Karmen S.

Karmen S.

Oct, 2023

Pinned
Jackie's feedback, suggestions and edits have been very helpful in not only improving my manuscript but also in providing areas to work on in the future. She's professional, efficient and friendly. This was our first collaboration. I'd be very happy to work with her again in the future.
Zsuzsanna M.

Zsuzsanna M.

Aug, 2023

Pinned
Jackie is brilliant as an editor. She's given me a lot of food for thought. I like her informal style when giving feedback and I appreciate her honesty. She clearly knows a lot and not just about writing / editing. She helped me sound more natural as I'm not a native English speaker. She's advised me to cut down my work but I completely understand why this may be necessary from a reader's persp...
Read more
Jackie B.
I loved working on Dancing with the Devil. It gave me plenty to think about and was such an enjoyable project.
Tracy S.

Tracy S.

Jul, 2024

Jackie did an outstanding job in providing feedback on the draft of 'Alone with a Tasman Tiger'. I know there are parts of my writing that need improving and Jackie always provides exceptional guidance here. What I value more, is the feedback on my blindspots, the areas I haven't anticipated that need attention. These could be the need to sharpen the dialogue to better reflect the age, cultural...
Read more
Jackie B.
I love working on Tracy's books. The process is enjoyable and I always learn things!
Keith M.

Keith M.

Nov, 2023

Jackie always does a good job. She gives interesting insights too. Ten out of ten.

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