Overview

Since 1993 I've worked with books as a literary agent, an editorial and rights director, a freelance editor and an author in Europe, Australia and North America. I'm particularly keen on travel and sporting memoirs and adventure, and crime fiction.

I moved to a Greek island over five years ago and now have the great pleasure of working from home with authors and publishers - managing projects, advising on book ideas, coaching, ghost-writing, editing from start to finish, and helping create great books.

Services

Languages

Non-Fiction

Fiction

I acquired a broad range of commercial non-fiction, overseeing a list of 80 books a year. In 2008 we were for the first time shortlisted for both the IPG and BBIA independent publisher of the year awards and our turnover grew threefold in three years. My role involved overseeing the rights department, contract negotiation and editorial strategy. I acquired Commando Dad and An Apple a Day, both extensively covered across national media with rights sold in several countries; other successful projects included Are We Nearly There Yet? by Ben Hatch, Cocaine Wars by Mick McCaffrey, A Year in the Scheisse by Roger Boyes, Twenty Wagging Tales by Barrie Hawkins, Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard and Tout Sweet by Karen Wheeler. I also helped develop the 50 Things health series and best-selling humour book concepts such as The Deranged Book for Old-Timers and Older, Wiser, Sexier.

I worked my way up from administrative assistant, learning about negotiation, rights and choosing saleable projects. As assistant agent and foreign rights coordinator for Bruce Westwood I worked with such authors as: Naomi Klein (No Logo), Rohinton Mistry (A Fine Balance), Alberto Manguel (A History of Reading). From 1996 I built my own client list, offering authors guidance and support at every stage of their career, seeking out the best publishing opportunities and negotiating contracts. My award-winning, best-selling clients included Michael Redhill, Rabindranath Maharaj, Michael Turner and Jack Todd; I arranged 12 rights deals for What the Body Remembers by Shauna Singh Baldwin, which won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Novel.

Tout Sweet: Hanging Up My High Heels for a New Life in France

Karen Wheeler

In her mid-thirties, fashion editor Karen has it all: a handsome boyfriend, a fab flat in west London, and an array of gorgeus shoes. But when her boyfriend, Eric, leaves she makes an unexpected decision: to hang up her Manolos and wave good-bye to her glamorous city lifestyle to go it alone in a run-down house in rural Poitou-Charentes, central western France. Tout Sweet is the perfect read f... read more

In her mid-thirties, fashion editor Karen has it all: a handsome boyfriend, a fab flat in west London, and an array of gorgeus shoes. But when her boyfriend, Eric, leaves she makes an unexpected decision: to hang up her Manolos and wave good-bye to her glamorous city lifestyle to go it alone in a run-down house in rural Poitou-Charentes, central western France. Tout Sweet is the perfect read f... read more

To Oldly Go: Tales of Adventurous Travel by the Over-60s (Bradt Travel Guides (Travel Literature))

Dervla Murphy, Colin Thubron, Matthew Parris, Hilary Bradt, John Carter et al

A brand new collection of remarkable travel tales from ‘Silver Travelers'. Dervla Murphy traveling in Havana at the age of 74, Matthew Parris swimming the Thames at 60, and Colin Thubron climbing the last stronghold of the Assassins in his 60s are among the writers recounting their adventures, often defying expectations – and the odds – and going outside their comfort zone to take a less-trave... read more

A brand new collection of remarkable travel tales from ‘Silver Travelers'. Dervla Murphy traveling in Havana at the age of 74, Matthew Parris swimming the Thames at 60, and Colin Thubron climbing the last stronghold of the Assassins in his 60s are among the writers recounting their adventures, often defying expectations – and the odds – and going outside their comfort zone to take a less-trave... read more

The Ribbons are for Fearlessness: A Journey

Catrina Davies

'Fearlessness has got nothing to do with being unafraid. It's about doing things anyway, getting on with it, living, whether you're afraid or not...Courage is about being who you are with your whole heart.' Fuzzy-haired, neurotic, cello-playing Catrina is devastated when lover, Jack, leaves her to go surfing on the other side of the world. Trapped in a dead-end job and torn by his departure, C... read more

'Fearlessness has got nothing to do with being unafraid. It's about doing things anyway, getting on with it, living, whether you're afraid or not...Courage is about being who you are with your whole heart.' Fuzzy-haired, neurotic, cello-playing Catrina is devastated when lover, Jack, leaves her to go surfing on the other side of the world. Trapped in a dead-end job and torn by his departure, C... read more

A Siberian Winter's Tale: Cycling to the Edge of Insanity and the End of the World

Helen Lloyd

A Journey of Discovery driven by the Call of the Wild.In the depth of winter, Helen Lloyd spent three months cycling solo across one of the most remote, coldest inhabited regions of the planet - Siberia.In temperatures down to -50°C, she battled against the cold, overcoming her fear of wolves and falling through the ice of a frozen lake. Alone in a hibernating land with little to stimulate the... read more

A Journey of Discovery driven by the Call of the Wild.In the depth of winter, Helen Lloyd spent three months cycling solo across one of the most remote, coldest inhabited regions of the planet - Siberia.In temperatures down to -50°C, she battled against the cold, overcoming her fear of wolves and falling through the ice of a frozen lake. Alone in a hibernating land with little to stimulate the... read more

Apple a Day: A Memoir of Love and Recovery from Anorexia

Emma Woolf

I haven't tasted chocolate for over ten years and now I'm walking down the street unwrapping a Kit Kat. Remember when Kate Moss said, 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'? She's wrong: chocolate does. At the age of 32, after ten years of hiding from the truth, Emma Woolf finally decided it was time to face the biggest challenge of her life. Addicted to hunger, exercise and control, she was... read more

I haven't tasted chocolate for over ten years and now I'm walking down the street unwrapping a Kit Kat. Remember when Kate Moss said, 'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels'? She's wrong: chocolate does. At the age of 32, after ten years of hiding from the truth, Emma Woolf finally decided it was time to face the biggest challenge of her life. Addicted to hunger, exercise and control, she was... read more

Twenty Wagging Tales: Our Year of Rehoming Orphaned Dogs

Barrie Hawkins

This heart-warming and humorous collection of true furry tales follows the highs and lows of Barrie and his wife as they take on the challenge of rescuing large dogs. After losing his beloved dog, Elsa, Barry can't face replacing her. But when he accepts a rescue worker's proposal to become a dog foster parent he does not quite realise what he is letting himself in for. With every four paws co... read more

This heart-warming and humorous collection of true furry tales follows the highs and lows of Barrie and his wife as they take on the challenge of rescuing large dogs. After losing his beloved dog, Elsa, Barry can't face replacing her. But when he accepts a rescue worker's proposal to become a dog foster parent he does not quite realise what he is letting himself in for. With every four paws co... read more

Urban Circus: Travels With Mexico's Malabaristas (Bradt Travel Guides (Travel Literature))

Catriona Rainsford

The story opens in Chihuahua, North Mexico, with a chance meeting with a group of itinerant Mexican street performers. Entranced by their stories and free-roaming lifestyle, the author accompanies them on a two-year, hand-to-mouth journey across Mexico, learning to live off nothing more than a few performance skills, initiative, and the kindness of strangers. Compelling, humorous, sometimes vi... read more

The story opens in Chihuahua, North Mexico, with a chance meeting with a group of itinerant Mexican street performers. Entranced by their stories and free-roaming lifestyle, the author accompanies them on a two-year, hand-to-mouth journey across Mexico, learning to live off nothing more than a few performance skills, initiative, and the kindness of strangers. Compelling, humorous, sometimes vi... read more

A Short Ride in the Jungle: The Ho Chi Minh Trail by Motorcycle

Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent

'For the first time in my life I felt that death was a possibility; a stupid, pointless, lonely death on the aptly named Mondulkiri Death Highway.' The Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the greatest feats of military engineering in history. But since the end of the Vietnam War much of this vast transport network has been reclaimed by jungle, while remaining sections are littered with a deadly legacy... read more

'For the first time in my life I felt that death was a possibility; a stupid, pointless, lonely death on the aptly named Mondulkiri Death Highway.' The Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the greatest feats of military engineering in history. But since the end of the Vietnam War much of this vast transport network has been reclaimed by jungle, while remaining sections are littered with a deadly legacy... read more

Eat, Sleep, Cycle: A Bike Ride Around the Coast of Britain

Anna Hughes

For Anna, a cycling enthusiast, the decision to ride 4,000 miles solo around the coast of the UK wasn't that hard. Following the river from London until it became the sea, then following the sea until it reached the mouth of the Thames again was a beautifully simple idea. But after epic highs, incredible lows, unforgettable scenery and unpronounceable place names - as well as a hearty battle w... read more

For Anna, a cycling enthusiast, the decision to ride 4,000 miles solo around the coast of the UK wasn't that hard. Following the river from London until it became the sea, then following the sea until it reached the mouth of the Thames again was a beautifully simple idea. But after epic highs, incredible lows, unforgettable scenery and unpronounceable place names - as well as a hearty battle w... read more

Mud, Sweat & Gears: Cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats (Via the Pub)

Ellie Bennett

The tale of a scenic cycling trip—including an index of the 50 finest beers tasted on the trip"One more wouldn't hurt," said Mick. I looked at him doubtfully. "I'm not sure. It's gone three o'clock already. What time does it get dark in Cornwall at this time of year?" "Not for ages," said Mick, waving his hand dismissively. "One more and then we'll get on." He headed back to the bar with our e... read more

The tale of a scenic cycling trip—including an index of the 50 finest beers tasted on the trip"One more wouldn't hurt," said Mick. I looked at him doubtfully. "I'm not sure. It's gone three o'clock already. What time does it get dark in Cornwall at this time of year?" "Not for ages," said Mick, waving his hand dismissively. "One more and then we'll get on." He headed back to the bar with our e... read more

Fragrant Heart: A Tale of Love, Life and Food in South-East Asia

Miranda Emmerson

We buy food we can point to. We stalk the streets until rush hour and wait for the little hatches to open in the sides of restaurants. From the steamy openings, cooks in overalls sell jiaozi (dumplings) and bowls of thick, sticky, white congee—an unholy cross between soup and porridge. Baozi, steamed white buns, are light as air. I buy them filled with water spinach and nettle – delicious dipp... read more

We buy food we can point to. We stalk the streets until rush hour and wait for the little hatches to open in the sides of restaurants. From the steamy openings, cooks in overalls sell jiaozi (dumplings) and bowls of thick, sticky, white congee—an unholy cross between soup and porridge. Baozi, steamed white buns, are light as air. I buy them filled with water spinach and nettle – delicious dipp... read more

Alone in Antarctica

Felicity Aston

What would it feel like to be out there alone in that empty vastness? Just before midnight on 24 November 2011, Felicity is left completely alone on the coast of Antarctica. The isolation is instant and devastating. Only three people in the world have crossed Antarctica alone. The first two were men and both Norwegian. At the age of 34, British woman Felicity Aston became the third. Unlike her... read more

What would it feel like to be out there alone in that empty vastness? Just before midnight on 24 November 2011, Felicity is left completely alone on the coast of Antarctica. The isolation is instant and devastating. Only three people in the world have crossed Antarctica alone. The first two were men and both Norwegian. At the age of 34, British woman Felicity Aston became the third. Unlike her... read more

Grape Expectations: A Family's Vineyard Adventure in France

Caro Feely

Filled with vivid descriptions of delicious wines, great food, and stunning views, this is a unique insight into the world of the winemaker, and a story of passion, dedication, and loveWhen Caro and Sean find the perfect 10-hectare vineyard in Saussignac, it seems like their dreams of becoming winemakers in the south of France are about to come true. But they arrive in France with their young ... read more

Filled with vivid descriptions of delicious wines, great food, and stunning views, this is a unique insight into the world of the winemaker, and a story of passion, dedication, and loveWhen Caro and Sean find the perfect 10-hectare vineyard in Saussignac, it seems like their dreams of becoming winemakers in the south of France are about to come true. But they arrive in France with their young ... read more

Your Guide to Understanding and Dealing with Dementia: What You Need to Know (Personal Health Guides)

Keith Souter

Dementia encompasses a range of brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, that cause cognitive impairment and are much more likely to occur with age. Dementia has a serious effect on the lives of not only its sufferers, but also has a significant impact on their family and friends. This book gives the basic information needed to understand what dementia is, how to recognize it, and, most ... read more

Dementia encompasses a range of brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, that cause cognitive impairment and are much more likely to occur with age. Dementia has a serious effect on the lives of not only its sufferers, but also has a significant impact on their family and friends. This book gives the basic information needed to understand what dementia is, how to recognize it, and, most ... read more

My Life as a Hooker: My Sporting Response to the Mid-Life Crisis

Steven Gauge

In my late thirties, it gradually dawned on me that I had become Jason's regular hooker. It was an arrangement that worked well for a couple of reasons. He didn't need me to dress up in anything particularly risque or to do anything too vulgar, other than cuddle in the middle of a field with him and fourteen other men on a Saturday afternoon. Steven Gauge's response to an impending midlife cri... read more

In my late thirties, it gradually dawned on me that I had become Jason's regular hooker. It was an arrangement that worked well for a couple of reasons. He didn't need me to dress up in anything particularly risque or to do anything too vulgar, other than cuddle in the middle of a field with him and fourteen other men on a Saturday afternoon. Steven Gauge's response to an impending midlife cri... read more

The Visitors

Catherine Burns

“Once you start Catherine Burns's dark, disturbing, and enthralling debut novel, it's hard to stop. The Visitors is bizarrely unsettling, yet compulsively readable.” —Iain Reid, internationally bestselling author of I’m Thinking of Ending Things With the smart suspense of Emma Donoghue’s Room and the atmospheric claustrophobia of Grey Gardens, Catherine Burns’s debut novel explores the complex... read more

“Once you start Catherine Burns's dark, disturbing, and enthralling debut novel, it's hard to stop. The Visitors is bizarrely unsettling, yet compulsively readable.” —Iain Reid, internationally bestselling author of I’m Thinking of Ending Things With the smart suspense of Emma Donoghue’s Room and the atmospheric claustrophobia of Grey Gardens, Catherine Burns’s debut novel explores the complex... read more