James Kingsland

James Kingsland – Editor

Science writer, editor and copy-editor, formerly at the Guardian newspaper and New Scientist magazine

Overview

With more than 25 years' experience in science journalism and publishing, I'm comfortable working in any field of science or medicine. I have written and sub-edited for science magazines, nursing magazines, engineering magazines, doctors' newspapers and national newspapers.

Most recently, my specialties have been neuroscience and psychology. I'm the author of two popular science books, about the neuroscience of meditation and altered states of consciousness, and have edited or copy-edited books about nutrition, pregnancy and space exploration.

I have worked alongside some of the best writers and editors in journalism, as science production editor at the Guardian newspaper and senior sub-editor at New Scientist magazine. Tight deadlines do not faze me.
Services
Non-Fiction
Agriculture Buddhism Home & Garden Life Sciences Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry Nature Psychology Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Guardian newspaper

Dec, 2006 — Jan, 2015 (about 8 years)

Editing and sub-editing science or medicine-related copy to tight deadlines.

New Scientist

Dec, 1994 — Nov, 2003 (almost 9 years)

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Hidden Connections: Humanity's Search For Harmony & Meaning

Brooker, John

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Great British Elms

Seddon, Mark

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Made with Reedsy
A Daily Dose of Now: 365 Mindfulness Meditation Practices for Living in the Moment

Sweeney, Nita

Copy Editing Proofreading
THINK LIKE A THERAPIST

Stephen Joseph

PIATKUS BOOKS

Developmental Editing
Saving Orchids: Stories of Species Survival in a Changing World

Seaton, Philip

University of Chicago Press

Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of the Canary Islands

Thorogood, Chris

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family, Third Edition

Bown, Deni

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Made with Reedsy
The Case for a Living Universe: Is there mind in all matter

Benton, Matthew R.

Postbridge Books

Made with Reedsy
Homo Falsus - Lying Man: Physics, Consciousness, Language, Information, and I

Rusakov, Boris

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
My Daily Journal

Garcia, Julia

Independently published

Kew Pocketbooks: Houseplants

Langley, Brie

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Copy Editing
Demystifying Orchid Pollination: Stories of Sex, Lies and Obsession

Karremans, Adam P.

Copy Editing
Marianne North's Travel Writing: Every Step a Fresh Picture

Payne, Michelle

Copy Editing
Die Hirnforschung auf Buddhas Spuren: Wie Meditation das Gehirn und das Leben verändert

James Kingsland

Space 50

Piers Bizony

In less than the span of a human lifetime, we have explored the Moon and launched robot probes to Mars, Jupiter, and far beyond. In the coming decade we will send astronauts to the Moon once a... read more
Copy Editing
In the Womb: Witness the Journey from Conception to Birth through Astonishing 3D Images

Peter Tallack

Imagine being able to observe with astonishing clarity a child's delicate features as they evolve over the course of a pregnancy, or witness the complex behavior of new human life in utero. No... read more
Copy Editing
Am I Dreaming?: The New Science of Consciousness and How Altered States Reboot the Brain

James Kingsland

When a computer goes wrong, we are told to turn it off and on again. In Am I Dreaming?, science journalist James Kingsland reveals how the human brain is remarkably similar. By rebooting our hard-wired patterns of thinking - through so-called 'altered states o... read more
Siddhartha's Brain: Unlocking the Ancient Science of Enlightenment

James Kingsland

A groundbreaking exploration of the “science of enlightenment,” told through the lens of the journey of Siddhartha (better known as Buddha), by Guardian science editor James Kingsland.In a lush grove on the banks of the Neranjara in northern India—400 years be... read more

James has 8 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

William G.

William G.

Feb, 2025

The best thing about James’s editing is his empathy. He has a knack for intuiting the book you want to write, the expertise to identify where you fall short, and the skill to guide you toward your envisioned work. He won’t try to steer you toward Some Other Book. Additionally, he has deep knowledge of scientific subjects. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to bring a new volume in...
Read more
Nathan R.

Nathan R.

Dec, 2024

James provided outstanding developmental feedback, pinpointing crucial structural and content improvements with clear, actionable suggestions.
Dan S.

Dan S.

Sep, 2024

James was quick, professional, and very helpful in his editorial assessment of my manuscript. I am grateful for his intelligent comments and suggestions and would recommend him highly to others.
John B.

John B.

Jun, 2024

I'm very glad I found James to edit my book. As well as spotting lots of areas for improvements James also offered his knowledge from his experience as an author and an editor for science publications. Both of these factors helped improve the professionalism of my book. Besides that, James was professional, clear, and a friendly source of advice and experience. Thanks again James!
James K.
Thank you for your kind words John, it was a joy to work with you. Your insightful, well-researched book deserves to reach a very wide audience. Good luck with it and all your future writing projec...
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Matthew B.

Matthew B.

Aug, 2023

James has been completely brilliant. His assessments sent me in exactly the right direction. The later copy edits were detailed and really made a difference to the text I've been staring at for the last two years. Highly recommended, and excellent rates for the quality of work he delivers.
James K.
Thanks Matthew it has been a joy to work with you on your highly original, thought-provoking book.

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