Jackie Bates - Editor
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
Fantasy
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
(about 9 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 (21 selected works)
Own Life: How to Show Up with Confidence and Take Control of the Future
Eden, Todd, Davo, El
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
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
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
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
‘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
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
The Good Food Guide 2018 (Waitrose)
Elizabeth Carter
Adventures of The Mad Duck: My Journey through 73 Countries
Princess Umul Hatiyya Ibrahim Mahama
Dark Desires (The Black Series Book 1)
Johnson, Sallyanne
FoodSutra: A Memoir of the Foods of India
Prasad, Shalabh
The Suitcase
Graty, Elspeth
Dark Heart
Johnson, Sallyanne
Jackie has 25 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
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
Jackie took my project and worked hard on it. I liked her honest criticism of the manuscript. Her professionalism and the style of a caring but tough editorial acumen impressed me. I want her to edit my next book.
shukdeb sen, July 2021
Jackie has been amazing! This is my first book , I sent Jackie my manuscript for a recipe book and because I was no focussed on taking pictures, I overlooked the content of the recipes i.e measurements etc. I am so used to cooking for my family and no longer use measurements so it was a challenge to put the measurements and method together. Jackie was so patient and carefully gave me guidance...
Read more
Beatrice Mapako, June 2021
Reply from Jackie Bates
Jackie has yet again provided brilliant feedback on the final instalment in my Northern Rivers Series titled Nonsense in the North. She's been my editor since my first book and I've learnt so much on our journey together about plot direction, character development and authentic dialogue. It's my pleasure to enthusiastically recommend her to other writers of fiction. (FYI - My genre was romance/...
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Tracy Stanley, May 2021
Reply from Jackie Bates
Jackie has now reviewed four of my books in my Northern Rivers series. She has helped me to improve my plot structure and dialogue tremendously among other areas that were invisible to me. Overall I know that the quality of my novel increases by 100% with her guidance. Delighted to recommend her to other authors.
Tracy Stanley, April 2021
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