Jo Lane – Editor

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.