Jo Lane

Jo Lane – Editor

Editor specializing in crime and thrillers. Former Publishing Director for all James Bond publishing including a Sunday Times bestseller.

Overview

I am a London-based story editor, helping authors get the most from their writing by assessing plots, pace, structure, characterisation, themes and expression of language. I have worked in the publishing industry for over ten years and have edited books published by HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Hachette and Pan Macmillan, including a number one Sunday Times bestseller.

I have always had a passion for reading and writing and after graduating from the University of Nottingham, I wanted to pursue a career that would involve both. I recognised that editing called to my strengths and interests and would be a job I could do well. After a few different editorial roles, I became the Publishing Director for IFPL (the Ian Fleming literary estate), looking after the global James Bond publishing portfolio. This involved managing the rights of Ian Fleming's bestselling thrillers and commissioning new 007 publishing. In this role I edited some of Britain's best-loved authors, including Anthony Horowitz, William Boyd and award-winning children's author, Frank Cottrell Boyce. As the Publishing Director for IFPL, I read extensively in the crime and thriller market in order to find writers suitable for James Bond projects and I was a judge for a literary prize. The CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger is awarded to the best thriller published in the UK each year and requires the annual assessment of over 100 entries.

I really enjoy the editorial process. Helping to shape a writer's carefully-crafted story to reach its fullest potential is an exciting privilege and I love the creative challenges it presents. I find solutions rather than dwell on problems, and steer the editorial process in a way that suits the writer’s vision and makes most commercial sense. I pride myself on writing detailed and positive editorial notes and always deliver work on time. I understand the effort and emotion that has gone into writing a manuscript and it is my job to respectfully prune and develop a writer's work into its best version. I focus on gripping story structure, authentic characters and an entertaining reading experience. Imagination, positivity and creativity are the hallmarks of my editorial style. Please get in touch to start a fulfilling and successful collaboration.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Comics & Graphic Novels Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Middle Grade Mystery & Crime Thriller & Suspense
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

Ian Fleming Publications

Jul, 2012 — Apr, 2020 (almost 8 years)

Responsible for the global publishing portfolio of the Ian Fleming literary estate and the literary James Bond and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang brands.
Experience of working across multiple markets: adult fiction, children’s fiction including picture books, comic books and non-fiction.
Experience of working across multiple formats: hardbacks, paperbacks, ebooks, enhanced ebooks, special editions and audio books.

Cambridge University Press

Sep, 2009 — Jul, 2012 (almost 3 years)

Starting as Publishing Assistant I worked my way up to Assistant Editor and managed the editorial schedule of approximately eighty books a year.

Portfolio

We Play Games

Sarah A. Denzil

Geneva

Richard Armitage

PICKED FOR THE TIMES BIGGEST BOOKS FOR AUTUMN 2022 'An absolutely thrilling, throat-catching wonder of a historical novel. Told with dazzling energy and brilliant panache. Hugely recommended.' STEPHEN FRY 'Phenomenal! Highly recommended' MALORIE BLACKMAN, auth... read more
Chapter One

Michael Wood

Vengeance Is Mine

Michael Wood

Shaken

Ian Fleming

The 007 official cocktail book - created in association with the Ian Fleming EstateExplore Bond creator Ian Fleming's writings on the pleasures of drinking and sample 50 delicious cocktail recipes inspired by his work - developed by award-winning bar Swift.Coc... read more
BEFORE THE MAN BECAME THE LEGEND.BEFORE THE BOY BECAME THE MAN.James is back in Steve Cole's fourth and final blistering Young Bond adventure . . . James is on home soil when he receives a package with a message from beyond the grave. The package’s mysterious ... read more
BEFORE THE MAN BECAME THE LEGEND.BEFORE THE BOY BECAME THE MAN.James Bond is back again in Steve Cole's third thrilling Young Bond adventure.When James stumbles upon a horrific sight, he knows things are not what they seem. His school is determined to make him... read more
BEFORE THE MAN BECAME THE LEGEND.BEFORE THE BOY BECAME THE MAN.The explosive action continues in Steve Cole's second Young Bond adventure . . . James's Cuban holiday has become a nightmare mission to save an old friend from a villain who has perfected 1,000 wa... read more
BEFORE THE MAN BECAME THE LEGEND.BEFORE THE BOY BECAME THE MAN.James Bond hits Hollywood . . .Lights. Camera. Murder.Young Bond is back – in his most action-packed, explosive adventure yet.
The Tootings meet Ian Fleming's original eccentric family, the Potts, in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Over the Moon by Carnegie Medal-winning author, Frank Cottrell Boyce and illustrated by Joe Berger.The Tootings are stuck in 1966! Somebody's stolen Chitty Chitty ... read more
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Race Against Time is the second book in the delightful sequel series by Frank Cottrell Boyce, that began with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again. Featuring black and white illustrations by Joe Berger, this magical story charts ... read more
Packed with fun illustrations by Joe Berger, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again is the hilarious sequel to Ian Fleming's much loved children's classic, by Frank Cottrell Boyce, the author of the Carnegie Medal-winning Millions.When the Tooting family find a v... read more
Solo

William Boyd

*The Sunday Times Bestseller* It is 1969 and James Bond is about to go solo, recklessly motivated by revenge. A seasoned veteran of the service, 007 is sent to single-handedly stop a civil war in the small West African nation of Zanzarim. Aided by a beautiful ... read more
Trigger Mortis

Anthony Horowitz

Literary legend James Bond returns to his 1950s heyday in this exhilarating thriller by Sunday Times bestselling author Anthony Horowitz. It's 1957 and James Bond (agent 007) has only just survived his showdown with Auric Goldfinger at Fort Knox. By his side i... read more
Forever and a Day

Anthony Horowitz

*THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*A spy is dead. A legend is born. Read the explosive new James Bond thriller. ***** A British agent floats in the waters of the French Riviera, murdered by an unknown hand. Determined to uncover the truth, James Bond enters a w... read more

Jo has 61 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Matt T.

Matt T.

Jan, 2024

As first-timer, I couldn't be happier with Jo's analysis. She helped me isolate plot gaps and structure issues. I couldn't be happier to see these issues brought to light before it hit the press.
Jared T.

Jared T.

Dec, 2023

Jo has been a pleasure to work with throughout. Her editorial report was detailed, thorough, and very helpful. I look forward to continuing working with her and would definitely recommend her services.
Juan M.

Juan M.

Dec, 2023

Jo's deliverables exceeded my expectations. I knew my novel had issues, but I couldn't quite figure out how to express what they were. Jo helped me realize that one of my principle issues was ensuring the stakes were clear for my characters. She also helped me think about different ways to meter out conflict throughout the novel. In addition to providing constructive feedback, Jo provides bala...
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John H.

John H.

Oct, 2023

Jo has what only top editors have: this slightly magical gift to see what you are trying to achieve and to tell you in an understandable, and very pleasant, way what works and what doesn't and with ideas on how to improve. Highly recommended!
Frank R.

Frank R.

Oct, 2023

Working with Jo was an absolute pleasure. She is very professional and her feedback was extremely helpful. I followed 99% of her suggestions because they improved my story. My manuscript is polished now and I'm prooud now to send it to agents and publishers. The Zoom call with Jo was tremendously helpful to better understand her comments on the line edit and ways to make my story more suspensef...
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