Jackie Bates - Editor
Jackie has been editing and proofreading for more than twenty 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.
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
Freelance
July, 2012
–
Present
(over 7 years)
I've worked on more food and accommodation guides, including copy-editing the Good Food Guide. I've proofread travel guides, and done some food/travel writing for Fork2Fork. I've written copy for the Inn Places website, and just started editing fiction.
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 (22 selected works)
The Good Food Guide 2018 (Waitrose)
Elizabeth Carter
Adventures of The Mad Duck: My Journey through 73 Countries
Princess Umul Hatiyya Ibrahim Mahama
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
The UK's bestselling restaurant guide, the Good Food Guide is the essential companion for your adventures in the cafes, pubs and restaurants that make the nation's dining scene shine.From brilliant set lunches to blow-out meals in the country's most spectacular restaurants, and from cosy breakfasts to quirky new discoveries, this trusted guide brings together the brightest and best eating expe... 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
The Good Food Guide 2017
Elizabeth Carter
‘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 B&B Guide 2015 (AA Lifestyle Guides)
AA Publishing
More than 3,000 B&Bs in Britain and Ireland rated for quality by travel professionals All of the establishments featured have been inspected and graded with one to five stars for quality by the AA's experts. Gold Stars indicate Highly Commended establishments—the very best places within three, four, and five star ratings. Useful symbols highlight the best breakfasts and evening meals, plus the... read more
B&B Guide 2014 (AA Lifestyle Guides)
AA Publishing
Over 3,000 B&Bs rated for quality by professional AA inspectors. All of the establishments featured have been inspected and graded with one to five stars for quality by the AA's inspectors. Gold Stars indicate Highly Commended establishments - the very best places within three, four and five Star ratings. Useful symbols highlight the best breakfasts and evening meals, plus there are up-to-date... read more
AA Guide to Peak District
AA Publishing
The AA's new guide to the Peak District offers the best places to visit in the region, an introduction into the region's background, full-color detailed town plans and maps, and clear A-Z places for easy navigationUnlike 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, con... read more
The best places to visit in the region, including great places to eat and drink, full-color detailed town plans and maps, and clear A-Z of must-visit places for easy navigation Unlike other guides, the AA's new travel books offer a fresh way to discover Britain by combining decades of expert knowledge with a clear, contemporary design and engaging up-to-the-minute commentary from local writers... 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
Over 3,000 B&Bs rated for quality by the AA's professional team of inspectors. All of the establishments featured have been inspected and graded with one to five stars for quality. Gold stars indicate Highly Commended establishments - the very best places within three, four and five star ratings. Useful symbols highlight the best breakfasts and evening meals, plus there are up-to-date details ... read more
AA Pub Guide 2016 (AA Lifestyle Guides)
AA Publishing
Over 2,000 great pubs selected for good food, real ale, character and comfort. Countryside Inns, taverns, gastro-pubs and welcoming hostelries are included, carefully selected on merit with no charge for inclusion. The guide also features inspected and rated accommodation by the AA's professional team of inspectors. Each entry includes information on opening times, prices and food. There are a... read more
The Good Food Guide 2019
Elizabeth Carter
Jackie has 11 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Jackie gave me tonnes of thoughtful and detailed feedback. I was expecting feedback in a few areas but was delighted by the feedback in my 'blind spots' . The feedback I wasn't expecting. I really needed this. She provided great suggestions on improving the quality of my dialogue so that it was both crisp (as appropriate) and authentic (always needed). I have quite a bit of work to do now and ...
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Tracy Stanley, September 2019
Reply from Jackie Bates
Jackie is a fantastic editor, and very easy to work with, due to her friendly approach. As a first time author, she gave me a lot of advice and pointers, and really helped to make the text flow and read better. Going through a book with so many strange Japanese words and fish details must have been a challenge! I can highly recommend, and would definitely work with her again.
Joe Downie, January 2019
Reply from Jackie Bates
This is my first time using Reedsy and Jackie did a wonderful and thorough job on my book, without her help I wouldn't know where to start fixing. She's reliable, timely, flexible, and she communicates very well during/through the process. And her suggestions/corrections are quite spot on too.
R. Rose, July 2018
Jackie provided excellent feedback on Over Byron Bay across story and character development, to word usage (and elimination), to story gaps. I thought that my draft was 'nearly there' but she has added value to every chapter. There were areas that I expected to get feedback on, (which I received) and areas which were important which I completely missed. She has improved the quality of my ...
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Tracy Stanley, December 2017
Jackie is extremely thorough and professional, and added massively and positively to the project. I could not have asked for more and cannot recommend her highly enough. Brilliant.
Mike Regan, November 2017
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