James Kingsland

James Kingsland – Editor

Science writer, editor and copy-editor, formerly at the Guardian newspaper and New Scientist magazine. Author of two books.

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.

I have written two books of my own: Siddhartha's Brain: Unlocking the Ancient Science of Enlightenment (2016) and Am I Dreaming? The New Science of Consciousness and How Altered States Reboot the Brain (2019).

Services
Non-Fiction
Agriculture Buddhism Home & Garden Life Sciences Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry Nature Psychology Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Medical News Today (Healthline)

Apr, 2020 — Mar, 2023 (almost 3 years)
Writing medical news stories based on newly published research.

HarperCollins, Atlantic Books

Jan, 2015 — Jan, 2020 (about 5 years)
I have written two books: Siddhartha's Brain: Unlocking the Ancient Science of Enlightenment (2016) and Am I Dreaming? The New Science of Consciousness and How Altered States Reboot the Brain (2019)

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)

Various

Jan, 1992 — Dec, 1994 (almost 3 years)
Proofreading and sub-editing articles for Doctor, Hospital Doctor, Nursing Times, Practice Nurse and the Journal of Wound Care.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
The Case for a Living Universe: Is there mind in all matter?

Benton, Matthew R

Postbridge Books

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Mind Crime: The Moral Frontier of Artificial Intelligence

Rourke, Nathan

Nathan Rourke

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Arrow: The Power and Poison of Story

Gadea, William

Marrow Publishing

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Gardening with Scented Plants

Hall, Tony

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Copy Editing
Great British Elms

Seddon, Mark

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Copy Editing
Copy Editing Proofreading
THINK LIKE A THERAPIST

Stephen Joseph

PIATKUS BOOKS

Developmental Editing
Copy Editing
Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of the Canary Islands

Thorogood, Chris

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Copy Editing
Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family, Third Edition

Bown, Deni

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
My Daily Journal

Garcia, Julia

Independently published

Copy Editing
Kew Pocketbooks: Houseplants

Langley, Brie

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
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
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
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
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 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Junia I.

Junia I.

Jun, 2025

James was incredibly fast, efficient, and easy to work with. He delivered high-quality work on time and always responded promptly. Highly appreciated!
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 knowled...
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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 pr...
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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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