Justyn Barnes

Justyn Barnes – Editor

Editor. Twenty-five-plus years experience working for publishers large and small. Biographies, memoirs, humour, self-help etc.

Overview

Over the past 25 years, I have produced in excess of 60 books (a sprinkling of Sunday Times/Amazon bestsellers among them) for publishers such as Headline Publishing, Guardian Faber, Bloomsbury, Carlton Books, Opus Media Group, Vision Sports Publishing and Quarto Press. My diverse output has spanned autobiographies with well-known personalities, biographies, super-sized, limited edition, illustrated books, a series of humorous histories, and self-help books.

As a non-fiction book editor, I have worked with everyone from novices to seasoned professional authors. Ultimately, the goal is the same – to deliver an engaging, coherent, lively book that fully reflects the author's intentions. This may entail major restructuring/rewriting or just tweaks and tightening up in certain areas.
Initially, I will ask to review your manuscript to get a feel for amount of work required, give you my initial general feedback and discuss the way forward with you.
If you agree to go ahead with me as your editor, I will then do a thorough edit of the book, checking for quality, clarity, spelling and grammar. Once complete, I will send you the updated Word document marked up with comments and any queries. (For reference, I will also supply a 'Track Changes' version of the file so you can see every single change I have made.)
Then I will take in any further comments you have to finalise the text, ready for the proof-reader. (Note: I am also available for proof-reading work, but the editor and proof-reader on your book should be two different people.)

I look forward to working with you.

'Justyn is a very professional, creative and versatile editorial operator, who is highly likeable to boot. He has delivered some fantastically good work for Headline. Whether it's ghostwriting, copy rewriting, copy editing, proof-reading, fact-checking, idea generation or social media strategy, Justyn's contributions have been invaluable and of a consistently high quality.'
— Jonathan Taylor, Former Publishing Director, Non-Fiction, Headline Publishing Group (now Director, Jonathan Taylor Publishing Consultancy)

'Justyn has worked for Vision Sports Publishing as an author, editor and editorial consultant on numerous projects. He is experienced and accomplished in all of these areas, is an excellent project manager and all-round good egg.'
— Jim Drewett, Editorial Director, Vision Sports Publishing

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sports & Outdoors
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2005 — Present

Book projects include:
– Editor: Oh Wot a Life: My Autobiography, by David Courtney, Publish Nation (2020)
– Writer: The Nordic Art of Sisu: Find Your Resilience, Quarto Press (2020)
– Editor: Hey! Listen! A Journey Through the Golden Era of Video Games, by Steve McNeil, Headline (2019)
– Writer: Ikigai: Discover Your Reason for Being, Quarto Press (2018)
– Editor: I'm Sorry, I Love You: A History of Professional Wrestling, by Jim Smallman, Headline (2018)
– Editor: Self. Styled: Dare to be Different, by Anthony Lycett, Jacqui Small (2016)
– Ghostwriter: Where Am I? My Autobiography, with Phil Tufnell, Headline (2015; Sunday Times bestseller and Amazon No.1 sports and cricket bestseller)
– Ghostwriter: Ricky Hatton’s Vegas Tales, with Ricky Hatton, Headline (2015; Sunday Times bestseller and Amazon No.1 sports and boxing bestseller)
– Editor: Crossing the Line: My Story, by Luis Suárez, Headline (2014)
– Writer: Downton Abbey: Rules for Household Staff, Headline (2014)
– Project Editor: Andy Murray Seventy-Seven: My Road to Wimbledon Glory, Headline (2013; Sunday Times bestseller)
– Ghostwriter: Tuffers’ Cricket Tales, with Phil Tufnell (2012; Sunday Times bestseller and bestselling UK cricket book of 2012)
– Editorial Consultant: Ferrari Opus (2010)
– Managing Editor: Celtic Opus (2010)
– Managing Editor:The Official Major League Baseball Opus (2010)
– Editor: The Official Michael Jackson Opus (2009) 

– Editorial Consultant: Saatchi Opus: The History of the Saatchi Gallery (2009) 

– Editor: Tottenham Hotspur Opus (2007)
– Editor, United Opus (2006)

Justyn has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Andrew T.

Andrew T.

Apr, 2022

Justyn was great to work with. He was quick to respond, found a way to fit me in ahead of schedule and most importantly, did an excellent job with my edit. He is also very open and transparent about the billing process. I would highly recommend him.
Justyn B.
Thank you very much for review, Andrew. Really nice to receive such positive feedback, and it was great to work with you too!
Tim B.

Tim B.

Mar, 2022

I consider myself very lucky to have found Justyn to work on my book about French painter Bernard Buffet. I had a very tight deadline before my book was due to go into print, and I was looking for a strong copy editor. Justyn rejigged his schedule so that he could work on my book, which I really appreciated. And he went above and beyond to make sure the copy was where it needed to be. Here is...
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Richard D.

Richard D.

Apr, 2021

Justyn provided excellent help with my project. His attention to detail was as impressive as his ability to see the bigger picture and understand what I was trying to communicate to the reader. He had great empathy and understanding of the subject matter and his comments were constructive, honest and insightful. He was also proactive in his communication, transparent with his costing and punctu...
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