Jackie Bates

Jackie Bates - Editor

Hampshire, United Kingdom

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

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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!


Languages
English (UK)
Non-Fiction
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
History
Travel
Fiction
Literary Fiction
Mystery & Crime
Romance
Women's Fiction

Certifications

  • BA (Hons) English & History, University of Northumbria at Newcastle upon Tyne

Work experience

Editor and writer

Self-employed
July, 2012 – Present (over 10 years)

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.

Editor, Senior Editor, and Managing Editor, Lifestyle Guides

AA Publishing
August, 1995 – July, 2012 (almost 17 years)

Working on annually published food and accommodation guides.

Portfolio (20 selected works)

The Good Food Guide 2019

Elizabeth Carter

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 the owner, Daniel Foster - a dangerously attractive man with a dark past and particular tastes in bed.Although she tries to resist him, Maya soon finds herself embroiled in a steamy relationship with Dan. A... read more

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 the owner, Daniel Foster - a dangerously attractive man with a dark past and particular tastes in bed.Although she tries to resist him, Maya soon finds herself embroiled in a steamy relationship with Dan. A... read more

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, Justin Walker explores this territory from one end to the other, moving from village to village by any available means. His expertly crafted descriptions create a vivid picture of Chilean Patagonia. Combining... read more

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, Justin Walker explores this territory from one end to the other, moving from village to village by any available means. His expertly crafted descriptions create a vivid picture of Chilean Patagonia. Combining... read more

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 his world - a world of intensely sexual passion. While his love and support help her to confront her fears and blossom as an artist, what she needs more than anything is the ability to trust. Determined ... read more

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 his world - a world of intensely sexual passion. While his love and support help her to confront her fears and blossom as an artist, what she needs more than anything is the ability to trust. Determined ... read more

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 butts him and breaks his nose. The woman takes him to hospital and then home. A clear case of not knowing when to mind your own business. It’s only when Flanagan returns to work that things take an ominous tu... read more

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 butts him and breaks his nose. The woman takes him to hospital and then home. A clear case of not knowing when to mind your own business. It’s only when Flanagan returns to work that things take an ominous tu... read more

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 manage the consequences.’Spending time apart from the man she loves, Maya’s forced to survive in a world where nothing is what it seems. With her faith tested to the limit, a trip to New York sets off a tra... read more

‘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 manage the consequences.’Spending time apart from the man she loves, Maya’s forced to survive in a world where nothing is what it seems. With her faith tested to the limit, a trip to New York sets off a tra... read more

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, offering a fresh way to discover Britain by combining our decades of expert knowledge with a clear, contemporary design and engaging up-to-the-minute commentary from local writers in the know - a modern ... read more

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, offering a fresh way to discover Britain by combining our decades of expert knowledge with a clear, contemporary design and engaging up-to-the-minute commentary from local writers in the know - a modern ... read more

The AA Guide to Ireland (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, offering a fresh way to discover Britain by combining our decades of expert knowledge with a clear, contemporary design and engaging up-to-the-minute commentary from local writers in the know - a modern ... read more

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, offering a fresh way to discover Britain by combining our decades of expert knowledge with a clear, contemporary design and engaging up-to-the-minute commentary from local writers in the know - a modern ... read more

The Suitcase

Graty, Elspeth

Dark Heart

Johnson, Sallyanne

Jackie has 29 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Judy Isen
Jackie's a fantastic editor to work with - professional, supportive and extremely helpful. The amount of input she's provided has been exceptional. I look forward to working with her again.

Judy Isen, January 2023

Jackie Bates
I've really enjoyed working with Judy again! It's always nice to work with someone on multiple projects.

Reply from Jackie Bates


Astrid Lorenzen
Jackie was very professional in her approach and told me in great details what she was offering (a really great thing to have a clear and productive collaboration!). Her corrections were valuable and she added a note sheet where she made general comments about the manuscript itself (content), but also comments on general spelling mistakes or phrases that came up repeatedly (grammar and spellche...
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Astrid Lorenzen, December 2022


Ian Forth
Jackie is great. Thorough, meticulous, and provides helpful comments on suggested changes. Picks up on issues of clarity, formality, and style. Maintains attention throughout all pages of text.

Ian Forth, October 2022


Judy Isen
Jackie was excellent - she provided exactly what I wanted. She's very helpful, friendly and professional.

Judy Isen, August 2022


Nick de Bois
I was very impressed with Jackie, her responsiveness was very professional but above all she really went the extra mile on proofing. She found inconsistencies I and others had missed, provided guidance if something didn’t quite make sense and of course did a first class job proofing. Highly recommended.

Nick de Bois, July 2021

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