James Smart - Editor
Experienced, attentive editor. Specialist in culture and travel. The Guardian, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Culture Trip, Time Out.
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Overview
In almost two decades in editorial, I've edited and commissioned over a hundred books and worked across numerous newspapers, magazines and websites.
Here on Reedsy, I've edited and proofread memoirs and guides, and written copy. I'd love to hear what I can do for you.
My career so far has focused most strongly on travel, culture, food and outdoor activities. For Lonely Planet I've produced guides to Iceland, Ireland, the UK, Japan and more, collaborating on briefs, guiding structure, ensuring consistency and helping polish writing. My work at senior level as a Managing Editor has helped develop a strong grasp of strategy. While at Rough Guides, I edited titles including France, India and New Zealand alongside more general guides like Camping and Make the Most of Your Time on Earth.
I'm a very experienced writer, and my extensive history of book reviewing (for the Guardian, the Sunday Herald and the List) has given me further insights as well as honing my prose. I specialize in graphic novels and new fiction, and spent many years writing about pop music and club culture. I'm also a digital editor, skilled in Wordpress.
Working with writers has always been a strength - whether you want a careful, unintrusive edit, high-level guidance, tips on gaps in the market or help crafting that perfect sentence, I'm here to help.
Here on Reedsy, I've edited and proofread memoirs and guides, and written copy. I'd love to hear what I can do for you.
My career so far has focused most strongly on travel, culture, food and outdoor activities. For Lonely Planet I've produced guides to Iceland, Ireland, the UK, Japan and more, collaborating on briefs, guiding structure, ensuring consistency and helping polish writing. My work at senior level as a Managing Editor has helped develop a strong grasp of strategy. While at Rough Guides, I edited titles including France, India and New Zealand alongside more general guides like Camping and Make the Most of Your Time on Earth.
I'm a very experienced writer, and my extensive history of book reviewing (for the Guardian, the Sunday Herald and the List) has given me further insights as well as honing my prose. I specialize in graphic novels and new fiction, and spent many years writing about pop music and club culture. I'm also a digital editor, skilled in Wordpress.
Working with writers has always been a strength - whether you want a careful, unintrusive edit, high-level guidance, tips on gaps in the market or help crafting that perfect sentence, I'm here to help.
Languages
English (AUS)
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Comics & Graphic Novels
Non-Fiction
Music
Sports & Outdoors
Travel
Works with
WordPress
Awards
- Allen Wright Award for Outstanding Contribution to Fringe Journalism
Work experience
Managing Editor / Destination Editor / Commissioning Editor
Lonely Planet
December, 2012
–
May, 2019
(over 6 years)
Senior Editor / Editor
Rough Guides
March, 2007
–
December, 2012
(almost 6 years)
Freelance Journalist
Self-employed
September, 2000
–
Present
(over 22 years)
Writing and editing for publications including the Guardian, DK, Culture Trip, the Scotsman, the List, Time Out, the Sunday Herald, the Edinburgh Evening News, DJ Magazine, Ministry Magazine
Portfolio (6 selected works)
Lonely Planet Scotland (Travel Guide)
Lonely Planet, Neil Wilson, Andy Symington
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet Scotland is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Sip the water of life, whisky, in an ancient pub, trace the trails of the clanspeople fleeing Glen Coe, or play a round in St Andrew's, golf's spiritual home; all with your trusted travel compan... read more
Rough Guides' bestselling, inspirational travel book, featuring 1000 unique experiences around the globe, is now in its third edition. Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth is the product of the combined travel experience of Rough Guides' authors over the last 30 years, each an expert in his or her own territory. Our authors have cherry-picked their favourite experiences from their travels to in... read more
Lonely Planet Pocket London (Travel Guide)
Lonely Planet, Damian Harper, Peter Dragicevich, Steve Fallon, Emilie Filou
Lonely Planet: The world’s number one travel guide publisher* Lonely Planet’s Pocket London is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Rise over the city on the London Eye, uncover the past at Kensington’s museums, and explore Soho, Greenwich and the Tower – all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of... read more
Lonely Planet Japan (Travel Guide)
Lonely Planet, Rebecca Milner, Ray Bartlett, Andrew Bender, Craig McLachlan, Kate Morgan, Simon Richmond, Tom Spurling, Benedict Walker, Wendy Yanagihara
#1 best-selling guide to JapanLonely Planet Japan is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Explore a bamboo grove in Arashiyama, marvel at Shinto and Buddhist architecture in Kyoto, or relax in the hot springs of Noboribetsu Onsen; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Japan and begin your jou... read more
The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels 1 (Rough Guide Reference)
Danny Fingeroth
The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels is the ultimate companion to the expanding world of the “literary comic book”. Written by comic industry insider Danny Fingeroth, it includes the mediums history, from sequential art in Egyptian tombs, through the superhero boom of the 1940s to the birth of the graphic novel movement and the latest online offerings. All you need to know about the best and rest... read more
Lonely Planet Iceland's Ring Road (Travel Guide)
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Discover the freedom of open roads with Lonely Planet Iceland's Ring Road Road Trips, your passport to uniquely encountering Iceland by car. Featuring five amazing road trips, plus up-to-date advice on the destinations you'll visit along the way, you'll discover bubbling geothermal springs, see the Golden Circle's exploding geysers and ... read more
James has 6 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
James work and work with me was near perfection.
Syndicate Archives, August 2021
Reply from James Smart
James was very professional and prompt with his edits and queries. He suggested better ways of doing things but always left the end decision with me. I'm very happy with the way he turned my scribblings into a professionally written book. I'd definitely recommend using James to edit your manuscript.
bruce ellis, May 2021
Reply from James Smart
James's experience is so valuable! I needed a final proofread and he did a perfect job spotting typos, inconsistencies, and other ways to optimise my manuscript. He immediately picked up on my ideal voice and his suggestions were exactly in line with the wider tone of the book. I also received some really useful comments for my style sheet and overall thoughts on his perspective as a reader. Th...
Read more
Lucy Fuggle, October 2020
Reply from James Smart
I recently used James to proofread a travel narrative book. He is incredibly thorough (the book had been proofread once before but he located numerous errors.) Beyond this however, is his ability to make suggestions that stay consistent with the author's voice. He was regularly in contact and updated me on progress. I plan on using him for future projects and would recommend him highly.
Andrew Jalbert, September 2020
Reply from James Smart
James was great to work with. Like a true editor he trimmed my manuscript to make it concise and easy to read. He has added value to my work and did it all in time beating even his own timeline! He was professional in all our communication right from day one till the end. thank you Mr. James Smart and best of luck in all your future projects.
Michael Ntabaazi, August 2020
Reply from James Smart
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