Peter Jacobs – Editor

A freelance editor with 6 years' experience at Quartet Books, London -- including 2+ years as Editorial Manager -- I provide manuscript assessment, structural editing and copy-editing for both fiction and non-fiction.

As an editor, I try to really focus on making each project a success on its own terms, opening up a dialogue with the author to understand exactly what it is they are looking to achieve. Beginning here, a conversational approach throughout can help get to the bottom of what the text requires, and this cooperation is essential for ensuring editor and author are ultimately pulling in the same direction. I am always thorough and hands-on in my work but never excessive or overbearing -- I'm honest about what needs to be done, but you won't find large chunks of your hard work unnecessarily crossed out in red.

At Quartet I worked on a variety of fiction titles, both literary and commercial, and all sorts of non-fiction, from memoirs to manifestoes for change, anthologies to illustrated books, histories, travel writing and more. If your book is not primarily a technical piece, I am confident that I can help you to improve it. Shorter pieces are also very welcome.

Please see the testimonies below for a flavour of my work, and be sure to get in touch for a quote if interested. For those looking to self-publish, I also work closely with an excellent publicist.


Venetia Welby, author of 'Dreamtime' and 'Mother of Darkness':

'Peter is a brilliant editor. He is able to provide the perfect balance of big-picture encouragement and incisive criticism that is nothing less than transformative. I’ve been very lucky to work with him and recommend him in the highest possible terms.'


Gerald Jacobs, author of 'Pomeranski', 'Sacred Games' and 'Nine Love Letters':

'Peter possesses two great qualities for an editor — he is calm and he is thorough. Any little differences of opinion over words or phrases were settled by agreeably interesting discussion. We spent entertaining and enlightening hours of discussion about the book jacket — which, in the final result, thanks to Peter, drew a great deal of positive comment from readers, booksellers, and even reviewers!'


Augustus Young, author of 'Heavy Years', 'Light Years' and 'Brazilian Tequila':

'As a top-class professional editor, his precision in subediting can be taken for granted. What is rare amongst editors I have dealt with over the years is that he engages with the text with an enthusiasm that comes with acute insight. Any possible misunderstandings by readers are identified and alternative phrases or sentences are offered. His educational foundation gives him a sure but sympathetic touch in this, and amendments are negotiated with a pleasing complicity.
'I have benefitted greatly from his editorial exactness which is, however, deeply sensitive to authorial whims and imperatives. It is always a pleasure working with Peter. Not least because a better book is inevitable.'