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

THINK LIKE A THERAPIST

Stephen Joseph

PIATKUS BOOKS

Developmental Editing
Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Beyond Brain Rot: How to Stop Scrolling Your Life Away

Burlin, Axel

Glimmer Books LLC

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Recursive Self

Skwerer, Elliot

Independently published

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Hidden Roads we Walk: And The Stories I Was Never Allowed to Tell

Idris, Junia Ali

Junia A. Idris

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Memorial: The Year My Dad and I Stopped Keeping Score

Sweeney, Nita

Mind, Mood, and Movement

Copy Editing Proofreading
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
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 14 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jin K.

Jin K.

Sep, 2026

I greatly appreciated James' expert and thorough editorial assessment of my manuscript. He gave me constructive and actionable feedback at both a macroscopic and microscopic level, understanding the soul of the book I am trying to write, while professionally refining it for a better direction and...
Read more
James K.
Thanks Jin, it was a pleasure to work on your book – fascinating, entertaining and informative!
Sebastian K.

Sebastian K.

Aug, 2026

James provided an editorial assessment of my 2nd draft of my book on attachment theory. I'm very pleased with the amount and quality of advice James provided. It gave me invaluable insight into what's working and what isn't. His feedback was very constructive, kind, and actionable. Now I fe...
Read more
James K.
Thanks Sebastian, it was a joy to work on such a deeply researched, fascinating book. Good luck with the 3rd draft!
Sienna D.

Sienna D.

Jul, 2026

James is an incredibly copyeditor. He went above and beyond what I expected - checking facts, reducing repetition of words, and fine tuning analogies along the way. I had him help me with a neuroscience-based personal development book and he was surely the best person for the job! Very quick and ...
Read more
James K.
Many thanks Sienna, it was an absolute pleasure to work with you. I know your book will be life-changing for many readers. Good luck getting it out there!
James V.

James V.

Jun, 2026

Received excellent feedback on teh manuscript. Included very good ideas to imporve on structure and flow.
James K.
Many thanks James, it was a pleasure to work with you!
Nita S.

Nita S.

Mar, 2026

James is thoughtful, professional, experienced, and wise. This is the second book he has worked on for me and I've been so impressed each time. He goes above and beyond to make certain everything is accurate and sensible. He asks questions if anything is unclear and follows through on everything....
Read more
James K.
Thank you Nita, it's always a pleasure to work with you and an honor to copy-edit your latest book – which I found moving, honest, and deeply insightful. It would make a great movie!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with James and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to James

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Susan W.

Experienced and well-qualified editor who loves working with authors, especially on popular/children's science, psychology and philosophy.

London, UK

100% reply rate

View profile

Philippa T.

A reliable, competent and professional researcher, editor and writer. I have years of experience on non-fiction projects.

Edinburgh, UK

100% reply rate

View profile

Sarah D.

25+ years' editing experience. UK/US English, CMoS whiz! Genres: health & wellbeing/psychology/business. Copywriting diploma (distinction).

Plymouth, UK,

100% reply rate

View profile