Julia Bruce - Editor
Cambridge, United Kingdom
I am an editor and writer with a mission to make everything I work on the best it can be. I specialise in non-fiction and children's books.
Request a quote
Verified identity
Overview
If it is in English, I will edit it! I can offer editorial experience in everything from children's comics to adult fiction, medical journals and plumbing manuals. I also write and edit fiction and non-fiction and can offer my services as a ghost writer. Whatever your project, I will work with you to make your writing the best it can be.
I have a background of 13 years as an in-house editor for companies including HarperCollins, Macmillan, Puffin and Pearson before going freelance in 2007. I have been fortunate enough to work on books by some fantastic authors, such as Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman, David Walliams and Jenny Downham. I am also a published writer of both fiction and non-fiction, so have an understanding of what the publishing process is like from an author's perspective.
Editing is not just about making sure things are 'correct'. Obviously I will check spelling, grammar and punctuation, but I will also endeavour to ensure your writing is consistent, clear and comfortable to read, while always maintaining your individual author 'voice'. This is your book, not mine; it's my job to help you realise your vision for it – to polish it, iron out any small errors and put it into good order for publishing or further distribution. I will therefore keep an eye out for things like repeated words or phrases; factual issues, including anachronisms; continuity; plot points and anything else that you might specifically want me to check. Before any job, I will check with you exactly what it is you would like me to do, and keep in contact throughout the process. I am very flexible and will do my utmost to get your writing to where you want it to be.
I have a background of 13 years as an in-house editor for companies including HarperCollins, Macmillan, Puffin and Pearson before going freelance in 2007. I have been fortunate enough to work on books by some fantastic authors, such as Terry Pratchett, Philip Pullman, David Walliams and Jenny Downham. I am also a published writer of both fiction and non-fiction, so have an understanding of what the publishing process is like from an author's perspective.
Editing is not just about making sure things are 'correct'. Obviously I will check spelling, grammar and punctuation, but I will also endeavour to ensure your writing is consistent, clear and comfortable to read, while always maintaining your individual author 'voice'. This is your book, not mine; it's my job to help you realise your vision for it – to polish it, iron out any small errors and put it into good order for publishing or further distribution. I will therefore keep an eye out for things like repeated words or phrases; factual issues, including anachronisms; continuity; plot points and anything else that you might specifically want me to check. Before any job, I will check with you exactly what it is you would like me to do, and keep in contact throughout the process. I am very flexible and will do my utmost to get your writing to where you want it to be.
Languages
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Children's - Middle Grade
Fantasy
Women's Fiction
Young Adult & Teen
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
History
Medicine & Nursing & Dentistry
Nature
Work experience
Freelance Editor
Julia Bruce
March, 2007
–
Present
(about 12 years)
A huge variety of editorial, research, writing and project management jobs undertaken with clients that include: David Fickling Books; The Phoenix Comic; Puffin; Compuscript; Egmont; Oxfam; Girl Friday (For Amazon); HarperCollins; Pearson Education; Nelson Thornes; Taylor and Francis; Hachette; Mouseion; Oxford University Press; Marshall Editions; Society for the History of Natural History; The Linnean Society of London; The Natural History Museum; Cactus Communications.
Project Editor
Orpheus Books
October, 2005
–
February, 2007
(over 1 year)
Creating children’s non-fiction titles including: designing layouts; researching, writing and editing text; designing, cutting and fitting in Quark; briefing artists; picture research; indexing and proofreading. (Full-time)
Development Editor
Harcourt Education
July, 2004
–
September, 2005
(about 1 year)
Developing vocational textbooks with authors and publishers; project managing titles to schedule and budget; structural editing; proofreading and technical checking; briefing artworks; picture research; attending photoshoots. (Full-time)
Senior Editor
HarperCollins Children's Books
February, 2004
–
June, 2004
(4 months)
Managing part of children's black-and-white fiction and non-fiction list; structural and copy-editing; copywriting; proofreading; liaison with authors, freelances, licensees and in-house departments. (Maternity cover, full-time)
Editorial Manager (Puffin)
Penguin Books, Ltd.
June, 2003
–
January, 2004
(8 months)
Overall editorial responsibility for all of Puffin's picture-book, fiction, poetry, non- fiction and popular-culture lists; managing a team of freelance editors and one in-house copy-editor; copy-editing and proofreading. (Maternity cover, full-time)
Senior Editor
HarperCollins Children's Books
October, 2002
–
June, 2003
(8 months)
Managing part of the children's black-and-white fiction list; structural and copy- editing; proofreading; copywriting; liaison with authors, agents, licensees and in- house departments; assessment of manuscripts. (Maternity cover, part-time)
Editor
Macmillan Children's Books
January, 2002
–
October, 2002
(9 months)
Copy-editing; proofreading; liaison with authors, freelances and in-house departments; fact-checking and seeing to production non-fiction, fiction and poetry and titles spanning ages 7–young adult. (Part-time)
Editorial Researcher
Reader's Digest
September, 1994
–
May, 1997
(over 2 years)
Writing and editing content for integrated illustrated book series, 'Travels and Adventures.'
Portfolio (8 selected works)
The ultimate guide to extraordinary, enchanting, and sinster creatures. All over the world, from ancient legends to modern movies, stories about creatures have abounded and this atlas covers them all. Learn their stories and tips on how to survive an encounter of your own!
Oxford Connections books are based on literacy consultant Sue Palmer's 'skeletons' concept whereby the children are shown a text model of the text type with which to write notes using the structure of the 'skeleton' as a guide. Within the titles there are notes, diagrams or pictures that the children will use as the basis for writing a piece of text. A genuinely cross-curricular scheme. Each b... read more
Castle (Inside History)
Julia Bruce
The Flower Chain: The Early Discovery of Australian Plants
Duchess of Hamilton and Julia Bruce Jill
Book: Biology, history
Julia has 3 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Communication
Julia was an outstanding editor for my first manuscript. From the first contact Julia was enthusiastic about my project, and honest about what she could provide me. Julia gave me excellent pointers on how I can improve my writing and manuscript going forward and provided me with an excellently edited manuscript. I assessed all of Julia's edits and comments, and agreed with them all, making all...
Read moreMartin Buckley, May 2017
Explore the Reedsy Community
Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.
Dick Hill
Experienced London-based editor of fiction (novels, short stories, plays), biography, art and culture and personal statements.
London, United Kingdom
Allan Graubard
Expert editor/publisher (manuscript development and substantive editing) with over 20 years experience across the sciences and humanities.
New York, NY, USA
