Julie Crisp

Julie Crisp - Editor

Reading, United Kingdom

I am an editor with over fifteen years’ experience working for three major houses across a broad spectrum of commercial fiction titles.

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Overview

I am a literary agent/freelance editor/script doctor/editorial consultant with over fifteen years’ experience working for three major houses across a broad spectrum of commercial titles within fiction, non-fiction and children’s. This also included three years spent working in the Australian publishing industry. Most recently I headed up the UK arm of one of the largest global brands of science fiction and fantasy, Tor. I’ve worked on bestselling and award-winning authors such as Ann Cleeves, Peter F. Hamilton, China Miéville, Neal Asher, Amanda Hocking, Naomi Novik, John Gwynne, Adam Nevill and TV/Game partnerships including Halo, The Returned, The Walking Dead and Twin Peaks.

I have gained skills in the management of a global brand imprint, creating publishing strategies, acquiring competitive copyrights, launching a community website, growing profit margins and overseeing campaigns to achieve bestseller status for titles. I am a structural editor with a broad depth of experience and good working knowledge of the current market.
Languages
English (UK)
Fiction
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Horror
Mystery & Crime
Science Fiction
Thriller & Suspense

Work experience

Literary Agent / Freelance Editor

Julie Crisp - Literary Agent
May, 2015 – Present (almost 8 years)

After leaving traditional publishing I set up as a literary agent / freelance editor. As a freelance editor I have taken on a number of projects from traditional publishers and from authors contacting me directly. I work closely with them to structurally edit their script and help develop their novels.

As a literary agent, I have taken on three clients to date and am actively looking for exciting new novels in science fiction and fantasy, crossover, crime/thrillers, book club fiction and young adult fiction.

If you would like to submit your novel for my consideration then please email me on sending me the first three chapters in a word document, double-spaced, including a short synopsis.

Editorial Director

Pan Macmillan
June, 2006 – April, 2015 (almost 9 years)

I managed the Tor UK imprint for the fiction department in a fast-growing and commercially- successful publishing company.

Oversaw publication of some of the most reputable, award-winning and best-selling brands within genre

Coordinated all aspects of the publishing process from structural editing, cover briefs, sales pitches, marketing and PR consultations

Motivated in-house support for an area not traditionally read as widely

Researched market trends and responding to the data with revised publishing strategy

Acquired some of the most highly-contested copyrights through the creation of winning pitches

Instigated a rollout of social media for digital marketing and pre-awareness campaigns

Worked closely with global team in the US to ensure a shared vision and understanding

Managed a team of editors and assistants to ensure efficient and cost-effective running of the department

Investigated new ways to break novels into the mainstream and reach a wider readership

Grew the imprint to become one of the most respected lists within the UK SFF community

Facilitated the creation of a website/blogging platform for direct engagement with the readership

Initiated and organised the creation of the James Herbert Award for Horror

Editor

Pan Macmillan Australia
June, 2003 – May, 2006 (almost 3 years)

Project managed a large, diverse list of titles across commercial/literary fiction, non-fiction and children’s’ fiction for this well-established Australian publishing company.

Coordinated list of titles with reduced critical path deadlines to ensure they made publication deadlines

Managed the structural editing and publishing processes for key titles

Commissioned designers, copyeditors and typesetters and then oversaw the title through the entire production process

Researched for picture use, copyright permissions, a database of freelancers and agents

Read submissions and advised on publishing potential

Gained in-depth experience and knowledge of the Australian publishing industry and marketplace

Portfolio (45 selected works)

Three Moments of an Explosion: Stories

China Miéville

A highly anticipated collection of short fiction listed in the Guardian's 'Essential Literary Calendar' for 2015 from one of the most exciting and original authors writing today. The multi-award-winning China Mieville has been called 'the equal of David Mitchell or Zadie Smith' (Scotland on Sunday), whose 'inventiveness and precision is awesome' (Independent), and who writes with 'an imaginati... read more

A highly anticipated collection of short fiction listed in the Guardian's 'Essential Literary Calendar' for 2015 from one of the most exciting and original authors writing today. The multi-award-winning China Mieville has been called 'the equal of David Mitchell or Zadie Smith' (Scotland on Sunday), whose 'inventiveness and precision is awesome' (Independent), and who writes with 'an imaginati... read more

The City & The City

China Miéville

Certain writers absolutely defy categorisation – and China Miéville is most definitely of that rarefied company. His prose is exhilarating, poetic, coruscating with ideas and atmosphere – and it has enhanced a body of work that has almost no parallels in modern writing. Heretofore, if Miéville has brushed shoulders with any identifiable genres, they are those of fantasy and science fiction – w... read more

Certain writers absolutely defy categorisation – and China Miéville is most definitely of that rarefied company. His prose is exhilarating, poetic, coruscating with ideas and atmosphere – and it has enhanced a body of work that has almost no parallels in modern writing. Heretofore, if Miéville has brushed shoulders with any identifiable genres, they are those of fantasy and science fiction – w... read more

Embassytown

China Miéville

Embassytown: a city of contradictions on the outskirts of the universe. Avice is an immerser, a traveller on the immer, the sea of space and time below the everyday, now returned to her birth planet. Here on Arieka, humans are not the only intelligent life, and Avice has a rare bond with the natives, the enigmatic Hosts - who cannot lie. Only a tiny cadre of unique human Ambassadors can speak ... read more

Embassytown: a city of contradictions on the outskirts of the universe. Avice is an immerser, a traveller on the immer, the sea of space and time below the everyday, now returned to her birth planet. Here on Arieka, humans are not the only intelligent life, and Avice has a rare bond with the natives, the enigmatic Hosts - who cannot lie. Only a tiny cadre of unique human Ambassadors can speak ... read more

Railsea

China Miéville

Kraken

China Miéville

Paperback. Pub Date :2011-11-1 Pages: 481 Publisher: Macmillan Deep in the research wing of the NaturalHistory Museum is a prize specimen. something that comes atong muchtess oten than once in a Lifetime: a perfect and perfectlypreserved. giant squid. But what does it mean when the creaturesuddenly and impossibty disappears

Paperback. Pub Date :2011-11-1 Pages: 481 Publisher: Macmillan Deep in the research wing of the NaturalHistory Museum is a prize specimen. something that comes atong muchtess oten than once in a Lifetime: a perfect and perfectlypreserved. giant squid. But what does it mean when the creaturesuddenly and impossibty disappears

Hidden Depths (Vera Stanhope)

Ann Cleeves

Hidden Depths is the third book in Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series - which is now a major ITV detective drama starring Brenda Blethyn, VERA. A hot summer on the Northumberland coast and Julie Armstrong arrives home from a night out to find her son strangled, laid out in a bath of water and covered with wild flowers. This stylized murder scene has Inspector Vera Stanhope intrigued. But then a... read more

Hidden Depths is the third book in Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series - which is now a major ITV detective drama starring Brenda Blethyn, VERA. A hot summer on the Northumberland coast and Julie Armstrong arrives home from a night out to find her son strangled, laid out in a bath of water and covered with wild flowers. This stylized murder scene has Inspector Vera Stanhope intrigued. But then a... read more

Telling Tales (Vera Stanhope)

Ann Cleeves

Telling Tales is the second book in Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series - which is now a major ITV detective drama starring Brenda Blethyn, VERA. Ten years after Jeanie Long was charged with the murder of fifteen-year-old Abigail Mantel, disturbing new evidence proving her innocence emerges in the East Yorkshire village of Elvet. Abigail's killer is still at large. For Emma Bennett, the revelati... read more

Telling Tales is the second book in Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series - which is now a major ITV detective drama starring Brenda Blethyn, VERA. Ten years after Jeanie Long was charged with the murder of fifteen-year-old Abigail Mantel, disturbing new evidence proving her innocence emerges in the East Yorkshire village of Elvet. Abigail's killer is still at large. For Emma Bennett, the revelati... read more

Silent Voices (Vera Stanhope)

Ann Cleeves

SILENT VOICES (B)

SILENT VOICES (B)

Blue Lightning (Shetland)

Ann Cleeves

Winning the prestigious Crime Writer’s Association Dagger for best crime novel did not necessarily glean for Cleeves the kind of kudos she clearly deserves -- although the remarkable Raven Black no doubt enjoyed a welcome sale fillip. A new TV series with Brenda Blethyn may do the trick, and it won't be a moment too soon. If you doubt this encomium to Ann Cleeves’ writing skills, do yourself a... read more

Winning the prestigious Crime Writer’s Association Dagger for best crime novel did not necessarily glean for Cleeves the kind of kudos she clearly deserves -- although the remarkable Raven Black no doubt enjoyed a welcome sale fillip. A new TV series with Brenda Blethyn may do the trick, and it won't be a moment too soon. If you doubt this encomium to Ann Cleeves’ writing skills, do yourself a... read more

The Glass Room (Vera Stanhope)

Ann Cleeves

The Glass Room is the fifth book in Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series - which is now a major ITV detective drama starring Brenda Blethyn, VERA. DI Vera Stanhope is not one to make friends easily, but her hippy neighbours keep her well-supplied in homebrew and conversation. But when one of them goes missing, her path leads her to more than a missing friend ...Vera tracks the young woman down to... read more

The Glass Room is the fifth book in Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope series - which is now a major ITV detective drama starring Brenda Blethyn, VERA. DI Vera Stanhope is not one to make friends easily, but her hippy neighbours keep her well-supplied in homebrew and conversation. But when one of them goes missing, her path leads her to more than a missing friend ...Vera tracks the young woman down to... read more

The Abyss Beyond Dreams (Chronicle of the Fallers)

Peter F. Hamilton

The first volume in the Chronicles of the Fallers, The Abyss Beyond Dreams by Peter F. Hamilton, is an exceptional novel exploring the mystery at the heart of the Commonwealth Universe. Fitting between the events of the Commonwealth Saga and the Void Trilogy, The Abyss Beyond Dreams is the first in an expansive duology, from the master of space opera. To save their civilization he must destroy... read more

The first volume in the Chronicles of the Fallers, The Abyss Beyond Dreams by Peter F. Hamilton, is an exceptional novel exploring the mystery at the heart of the Commonwealth Universe. Fitting between the events of the Commonwealth Saga and the Void Trilogy, The Abyss Beyond Dreams is the first in an expansive duology, from the master of space opera. To save their civilization he must destroy... read more

Great North Road

Peter F. Hamilton

Manhattan in Reverse

Peter F. Hamilton

Paperback. Pub Date: 2012 Pages: 320 Publisher: PAN - A short story collection from one of the world's bestselling SF writers

Paperback. Pub Date: 2012 Pages: 320 Publisher: PAN - A short story collection from one of the world's bestselling SF writers

Malice (The Faithful and the Fallen)

John Gwynne

Paperback. Pub Date :2013-08-01 Pages: 640 Language: English Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors. learning the art of war He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his kings realm But that day will come.. all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashe... read more

Paperback. Pub Date :2013-08-01 Pages: 640 Language: English Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors. learning the art of war He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his kings realm But that day will come.. all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashe... read more

Ruin (The Faithful and the Fallen)

John Gwynne

The Banished Lands are engulfed in war and chaos. The cunning Queen Rhin has conquered the west and High King Nathair has the cauldron, most powerful of the seven treasures. At his back stands the scheming Calidus and a warband of the Kadoshim, dread demons of the Otherworld. They plan to bring Asroth and his host of the Fallen into the world of flesh, but to do so they need the seven treasure... read more

The Banished Lands are engulfed in war and chaos. The cunning Queen Rhin has conquered the west and High King Nathair has the cauldron, most powerful of the seven treasures. At his back stands the scheming Calidus and a warband of the Kadoshim, dread demons of the Otherworld. They plan to bring Asroth and his host of the Fallen into the world of flesh, but to do so they need the seven treasure... read more

Lost Girl

Adam Nevill

How far will he go to save his daughter? How far will he go to get revenge? It's 2053 and climate change has left billions homeless and starving - easy prey for the pandemics that sweep across the globe, scything through the refugee populations. Easy prey, too, for the violent gangs and people-smugglers who thrive in the crumbling world where 'King Death' reigns supreme. The father's world wen... read more

How far will he go to save his daughter? How far will he go to get revenge? It's 2053 and climate change has left billions homeless and starving - easy prey for the pandemics that sweep across the globe, scything through the refugee populations. Easy prey, too, for the violent gangs and people-smugglers who thrive in the crumbling world where 'King Death' reigns supreme. The father's world wen... read more

The Returned

Seth Patrick

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED? Camille: A young girl wakes cold and alone on the side of a mountain, with no memory of how she got there - and no idea that she died four years' ago. When she arrives back home, her family are both thrilled and terrified. How can such a miracle be real? Simon: A troubled young man comes back to find his fianc?e is betrothed to another man. Jealous ... read more

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED? Camille: A young girl wakes cold and alone on the side of a mountain, with no memory of how she got there - and no idea that she died four years' ago. When she arrives back home, her family are both thrilled and terrified. How can such a miracle be real? Simon: A troubled young man comes back to find his fianc?e is betrothed to another man. Jealous ... read more

The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor

Jay Bonansinga, Robert Kirkman

Based on The Walking Dead graphic novels/comic books and the series starring Andrew Lincoln (Teachers, This Life and Love, Actually) and written/produced by Frank Darabont whose previous credits include The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, this is a new trilogy of books written by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga, author of Perfect Victim and Shattered. Set in the world created by Rob... read more

Based on The Walking Dead graphic novels/comic books and the series starring Andrew Lincoln (Teachers, This Life and Love, Actually) and written/produced by Frank Darabont whose previous credits include The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, this is a new trilogy of books written by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga, author of Perfect Victim and Shattered. Set in the world created by Rob... read more

Uprooted

Naomi Novik

Brand New & Collectable UK Edition Hardback. Signed (by the author to title page). Numbered (14/100). First Edition w/ Full Numberline ('135798642'). Fine/Fine condition. Protected in mylar cover. Fast UK shipment. For overseas delivery please inquire.

Brand New & Collectable UK Edition Hardback. Signed (by the author to title page). Numbered (14/100). First Edition w/ Full Numberline ('135798642'). Fine/Fine condition. Protected in mylar cover. Fast UK shipment. For overseas delivery please inquire.

False Hearts

Laura Lam

Switched : 1 (The Trylle Trilogy)

Amanda Hocking

Switched

Switched

Ascend: 3 (The Trylle Trilogy)

Amanda Hocking

Ascend

Ascend

Bitter Sweets

Roopa Farooki

From Bengal to London, from the 1950s to the present day and spanning three generations, Bitter Sweets is an unforgettable family story to suit every taste ...

From Bengal to London, from the 1950s to the present day and spanning three generations, Bitter Sweets is an unforgettable family story to suit every taste ...

The Way Things Look to Me

Roopa Farooki

My name is Yasmin Murphy, and I don't remember very much about the morning that my mum died, which is odd, as normally I remember everything.

My name is Yasmin Murphy, and I don't remember very much about the morning that my mum died, which is odd, as normally I remember everything.

By Roopa Farooki Corner Shop [Paperback]

Roopa Farooki

Fast dispatch. Excellent service.

Fast dispatch. Excellent service.

King of Ithaca

Glyn Iliffe

Greece is a country in turmoil, divided by feuding kingdoms desiring wealth, power and revenge. When Eperitus, a young exiled soldier, comes to the aid of a group of warriors in battle, little does he know that it will be the start of an incredible adventure. For he is about to join the charismatic Odysseus, Prince of Ithaca, on a vital quest to save his homeland. Odysseus travels to Sparta to... read more

Greece is a country in turmoil, divided by feuding kingdoms desiring wealth, power and revenge. When Eperitus, a young exiled soldier, comes to the aid of a group of warriors in battle, little does he know that it will be the start of an incredible adventure. For he is about to join the charismatic Odysseus, Prince of Ithaca, on a vital quest to save his homeland. Odysseus travels to Sparta to... read more

The Gates of Troy (Adventures of Odysseus)

Glyn Iliffe

The next thrilling adventure with Odysseus - King of Ithaca.

The next thrilling adventure with Odysseus - King of Ithaca.

The Armour of Achilles (The Adventures of Odysseus Book 3)

Glyn Iliffe

The siege of Troy is in its ninth year. The Greeks, with Achilles at their head, have inflicted numerous defeats on the Trojans, but Troy itself still stands. When Agamemnon is threatened with mutiny by a disillusioned army wanting to return home he changes his tactics by ordering a series of attacks on the allies of Troy, thus depriving the city of reinforcements, trade and supplies. But even... read more

The siege of Troy is in its ninth year. The Greeks, with Achilles at their head, have inflicted numerous defeats on the Trojans, but Troy itself still stands. When Agamemnon is threatened with mutiny by a disillusioned army wanting to return home he changes his tactics by ordering a series of attacks on the allies of Troy, thus depriving the city of reinforcements, trade and supplies. But even... read more

Does My Head Look Big in This?

Randa Abdel-Fattah

Don't panic - I'm Islamic! Amal is a 16-year-old Melbourne teen with all the usual obsessions about boys, chocolate and Cosmo magazine. She's also a Muslim, struggling to honour the Islamic faith in a society that doesn't understand it. The story of her decision to "shawl up" is funny, surprising and touching by turns.

Don't panic - I'm Islamic! Amal is a 16-year-old Melbourne teen with all the usual obsessions about boys, chocolate and Cosmo magazine. She's also a Muslim, struggling to honour the Islamic faith in a society that doesn't understand it. The story of her decision to "shawl up" is funny, surprising and touching by turns.

Ten Things I Hate About Me

Randa Abdel-Fattah

New, with small shelf wear, reflected in price. A smart, lively, contemporary story, which articulates a Muslim teenager's struggle with misconceptions about beliefs, and her frustration at the juxtaposition of expectations placed upon her by east and west sensibilities. (chi)

New, with small shelf wear, reflected in price. A smart, lively, contemporary story, which articulates a Muslim teenager's struggle with misconceptions about beliefs, and her frustration at the juxtaposition of expectations placed upon her by east and west sensibilities. (chi)

The Hidden War

David Fiddimore

It’s 1948. The war is over but there is still tension in Germany. The allied forces have been divided by politics and economics. Now there is a new enemy is lurking on the horizon… Charlie thought he’d done his part for the war effort and could enjoy peacetime with a bit of grace. Having a job with a commercial airline means he can do what he does best, but without getting shot at. Or so he th... read more

It’s 1948. The war is over but there is still tension in Germany. The allied forces have been divided by politics and economics. Now there is a new enemy is lurking on the horizon… Charlie thought he’d done his part for the war effort and could enjoy peacetime with a bit of grace. Having a job with a commercial airline means he can do what he does best, but without getting shot at. Or so he th... read more

Dark Matter

Blake Crouch

Spring: Spring (Hyddenworld Book 1)

William Horwood

The adventure of a lifetime is just beginning . . . It has lain lost and forgotten for fifteen hundred years in the ancient heartland of England – a scrap of glass and metal melded by fierce fire. It is the lost core of a flawless Sphere made by the greatest of the Anglo-Saxon CraeftLords in memory of the one he loved. Her name was Spring and contained in the very heart of this work is a spark... read more

The adventure of a lifetime is just beginning . . . It has lain lost and forgotten for fifteen hundred years in the ancient heartland of England – a scrap of glass and metal melded by fierce fire. It is the lost core of a flawless Sphere made by the greatest of the Anglo-Saxon CraeftLords in memory of the one he loved. Her name was Spring and contained in the very heart of this work is a spark... read more

The Tiger and the Wolf (Echoes of the Fall)

Adrian Tchaikovsky

In the bleak northern crown of the world, war is coming Maniye's father is the Wolf clan's chieftain, but she's an outcast. Her mother was queen of the Tiger and these tribes have been enemies for generations. Maniye also hides a deadly secret. All can shift into their clan's animal form, but Maniye can take on tiger and wolf shapes. She refuses to disown half her soul, so escapes, rescuing a ... read more

In the bleak northern crown of the world, war is coming Maniye's father is the Wolf clan's chieftain, but she's an outcast. Her mother was queen of the Tiger and these tribes have been enemies for generations. Maniye also hides a deadly secret. All can shift into their clan's animal form, but Maniye can take on tiger and wolf shapes. She refuses to disown half her soul, so escapes, rescuing a ... read more

While I Live: The Ellie Chronicles 1

John Marsden

The follow-up to the bestselling Tomorrow seriesBOOK 1 IN THE ELLIE CHRONICLES TRILOGY"Addictive reading" Sydney Morning Herald"Australia's king of young adult fiction" The AustralianWe were halfway up the spur when we heard it. Homer and Gavin and I, just the three of us... I'd say there were fifteen shots in the first volley, evenly spaced, lasting about twenty-five seconds... All the way do... read more

The follow-up to the bestselling Tomorrow seriesBOOK 1 IN THE ELLIE CHRONICLES TRILOGY"Addictive reading" Sydney Morning Herald"Australia's king of young adult fiction" The AustralianWe were halfway up the spur when we heard it. Homer and Gavin and I, just the three of us... I'd say there were fifteen shots in the first volley, evenly spaced, lasting about twenty-five seconds... All the way do... read more

This Census-Taker

China Miéville

For readers of George Saunders, Kelly Link, David Mitchell, and Karen Russell, This Census-Taker is a stunning, uncanny, and profoundly moving novella from multiple-award-winning and bestselling author China Miéville.NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR In a remote house on a hilltop, a lonely boy witnesses a profoundly traumatic event. He tries—and fails—to flee. Left alone with his... read more

For readers of George Saunders, Kelly Link, David Mitchell, and Karen Russell, This Census-Taker is a stunning, uncanny, and profoundly moving novella from multiple-award-winning and bestselling author China Miéville.NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR In a remote house on a hilltop, a lonely boy witnesses a profoundly traumatic event. He tries—and fails—to flee. Left alone with his... read more

Julie has 5 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

Jared Maruskin
Julie is an excellent editor with a keen eye for revealing what a manuscript is lacking. She is also incredibly busy, which means it may take some time for her to get to your manuscript, and there is less one-on-one communication than you might get with other editors. However, her editorial report is comprehensive and speaks for itself. She covers all aspects of good writing--from plot to ch...
Read more

Jared Maruskin, June 2019


Michael Grist
Another excellent experience working with Julie. She clearly knows a great deal about the market and storytelling, is a sensitive and informed reader and editor, and has offered developmental feedback that will offer clear guidance as I rewrite. Will definitely hire her again.

Michael Grist, May 2019


Michael Grist
Best manuscript assessment I've had - Julie was insightful on issues of sensitivity, homed right in on structural issues and I have no doubt the book will be much improved as I take her thoughts on board.

Michael Grist, February 2019


Kurt de Saint-Hilaire
Excellent. Accurate and to the point. Very useful manuscript assessment. Will definitely ask Julie again next time.

Kurt de Saint-Hilaire, October 2018


Lucy Brisbane
Julie's feedback was thoughtful and to the point, it has given me a lot to think about and many helpful pointers. Thank you!

Lucy Brisbane, January 2018

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