Jonathan Oliver

Jonathan Oliver – Editor

Former Editor-in -Chief of Solaris and Abaddon Books. Over twenty years’ experience in publishing. Specialising in SF, fantasy, and horror.

Overview

I'm an editor with over 20 years' experience in publishing, particularly in the genres of science-fiction, fantasy and horror. I was the commissioning editor for Yoon Ha Lee's critically acclaimed and multiple award nominated Machineries of Empire series, Dave Hutchison's Fractured Europe series, and am the award-winning editor of several horror anthologies, including Magic, House of Fear and End of the Road. To date, I've commissioned and edited hundreds of books.

I started in academic publishing at Taylor & Francis. After this, I joined Rebellion Publishing Editor-in-Chief, commissioning and editing books for Solaris and Abaddon Books. I worked on literally hundreds of science fiction, fantasy and horror novels and anthologies, several of which went on to win awards. After a brief stint as a Senior Editor in non-fiction publishing, I have gone full-time freelance and returned to my first publishing love: fiction.

I work closely with the author, seeking to help them to get the best from their story. I know what makes a story tick and have a good sense of the ever-changing world of publishing markets. I seek to make the process as professional, informed, painless and fun as possible.
Services
Fiction
Dystopian Epic Fantasy Gaming & LitRPG Horror Post-Apocalyptic Space Opera Time Travel Urban Fantasy
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • British Fantasy Award - Best Anthology - Magic
  • British Fantasy Award - Best Anthology - End of the Road

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2020 — Present

I provide editorial services - specialising in science fiction, fantasy and horror.

Lion Hudson Ltd

Mar, 2018 — Jan, 2020 (almost 2 years)

Senior Commissioning Editor for adult non-fiction titles for the Christian market.

Rebellion Publishing Ltd

Aug, 2005 — Aug, 2018 (about 13 years)

Editor in Chief, commissioning and editing for three genre fiction imprints - Solaris, Abaddon Books and Ravenstone. Also graphic novels editor for British comic 2000 AD.

Taylor & Francis

Jun, 2001 — Aug, 2005 (about 4 years)

A journals production editor, managing a list of 10 academic economics journals a year. Responsible for copy-editing, proof reading and liaising with typesetters and printers.

Portfolio

Alice's house stands at a gateway between worlds. On the other side of it something has woken, and she stands in its way.
An incredible debut novel that will move and terrify you, as reality itself is threatened by a world just beyond our own.And still the Night Clock ticks... Phil Trevena’s boss is an idiot, his daughter is running wild, and his patients are killing themselves. ... read more
Patrick O'Brian meets George R. R. Martin in a gritty new fantasy epic.Acquel Galenus, former thief and now monk, uncovers a terrible secret under the Great Temple at Livorna, one that could shake the faith to its core. A secret that could get him killed. A se... read more
Byren never wanted the throne. It was destined for Lence, his twin brother, older by seven minutes and the rightful heir to Rolencia. But the royal heir resents Byren’s growing popularity, and in the court of King Rolen, the shadows are thick with enemies plot... read more
Ten years ago, the Kinslayer returned from the darkness. His brutal Yorughan armies issued from the pits of the earth, crushing all resistance, leaving burnt earth and corruption behind. Thrones toppled and cities fell.And then he died.Celestaine—one of the he... read more
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR – WINNER OF THE 2016 LOCUS AWARD – NOMINATED FOR THE HUGO, NEBULA AND ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARDS. THE STUNNING CONCLUSION TO THE MIND-BENDING SERIES.DEATH AND NEW BEGINNINGSShuos Jedao is awake.... and nothing is as he remembers... read more
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR – WINNER OF THE 2016 LOCUS AWARD – NOMINATED FOR THE HUGO, NEBULA AND ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARDS.WAR. HERESY. MADNESS. Shuos Jedao is unleashed. The long-dead general, preserved with exotic technologies as a weapon, has possesse... read more
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR - WINNER OF THE 2016 LOCUS AWARD - NOMINATED FOR THE HUGO, NEBULA AND ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARDS.When Captain Kel Cheris of the hexarchate is disgraced for her unconventional tactics, Kel Command gives her a chance to redeem her... read more
Paris was supposed to save Hallie. Now… well, let’s just say Paris has other ideas.She’s linked to a hole in time and chosen by fate to prevent a terrible war. Tumbling through Paris’ turbulent past and future, Hallie changes the world—and falls in love. But w... read more
Europe as we know it is gone. Devastated by a flu pandemic and crippled by economic collapse, the continent has fractured into countless tiny nations, a fragile web of shifting alliances seething with espionage and strange new technologies. In a small restaura... read more
Dangerous Games

Jonathan O.

Roll the Bones!In a world ruled by chance, one rash decision could bring down the house, one roll of the dice could bring untold wealth, or the end of everything. The players have gathered around the table, each to tell their story - often dark, always compell... read more
As the shadows of war gather over Europe something is stirring within the darkness; something far older than humankind. Those with evil intent will seek to harness these terrible powers, while those fighting to turn the tide of war will find themselves up agai... read more
The critically acclaimed editor of Magic, The End of The Line and House of Fear has brought together the contemporary masters and mistresses of the weird from around the globe in an anthology of travel tales like no other. Strap on your seatbelt, shoulder your... read more
In deep tunnels something stirs, borne on a warm breath of wind, reeking of diesel and blood. The spaces between stations hold secrets too terrible for the upper world to comprehend and the steel lines sing with the songs of the dead. This is a collection of s... read more
They gather in darkness, sharing ancient and arcane knowledge as they manipulate the very matter of reality itself. Spells and conjuration; legerdemain and prestidigitation – these are the mistresses and masters of the esoteric arts.From the otherworldly visio... read more
One house, five hauntings, five chilling stories.Five Stories High is a collection of five novellas each set in the same house – Irongrove Lodge. This five storey Georgian mansion, once a grand detached property, has now been split into five apartments. This i... read more
House of Fear: An Anthology of Haunted House StoriesThe tread on the landing outside the door, when you know you are the only one in the house. The wind whistling through the eves, carrying the voices of the dead. The figure glimpsed briefly through the cracke... read more

Jonathan has 138 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Michael S.

Michael S.

Sep, 2023

Excellent work, great communicator. Quick turnaround.
Will R.

Will R.

Sep, 2023

I got the sense Jon just loves reading, be it manuscripts or published work, and this seeps into his editing and services. His background as a former editor for a publishing company really shines through. He saw things in my manuscript that I couldn’t, he could explain the ‘why’ for his comments very clearly, and his feedback was focused on “let’s get you published” whether by self publishing o...
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Jacob T.

Jacob T.

Sep, 2023

I had an amazing time collaborating with Jonathan. His work went above and beyond what I expected for the services I paid for. His advice and comments were very informative and helpful. I am looking forward to collaborating again.
Noah K.

Noah K.

Aug, 2023

A great wealth of experience to draw from. His assessment was eye-opening in terms of cleaning up the plot. If you have enough time to wait to be in his queue (he was and still is in high demand) you won't be disappointed.
Christian M.

Christian M.

Aug, 2023

Jonathan's work was exactly what I was looking for to take my novel to the next level and give it the professional and collaborative polish that any good work of fiction needs. Moreover, he was flexible, communicative and clear in the services he provided and more than willing to clarify his edits and discuss them as needed. The edits themselves were insightful and addressed important weaknesse...
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