Leonora Stewart

Leonora Stewart – Editor

A friendly, conscientious copyeditor of YA and adult fiction, including fantasy and sci-fi. I aim to make copyediting a positive experience.

Overview

I am a professional copyeditor with over fifteen years of experience in the publishing sector. Previously, I have worked on over 400 titles at Usborne Publishing, including bestsellers and award winners. I have been a freelancer on Reedsy since 2016, and in that time, I have built rewarding relationships with many authors, helping them to put that polish on their projects that really makes them stand out to their readers. I have a great passion for young adult and adult fiction, especially fantasy and science fiction, but I don't work exclusively in those genres. I have worked on a range of manuscripts, from epic fantasy to popular science and everything in between. I am also fluent in all English standards (British, American, Canadian, Australian, etc.), so it doesn't make any difference where you are from or what form of English you want to publish in.

Being an independent author myself, I know what you are going through, so I am more than happy to share my knowledge and give advice where I can. I am a friendly, open person, and all my feedback is constructive and instructive. I am here to help, to make editing a positive experience. I have a great respect for my authors and their work, and I expect high standards in my own work.

If you would like a sample copyedit of your manuscript, just send me your request with a sample file attached, and I will get back to you as soon as I can with a quote and a sample edit. I look forward to hearing from you.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Dystopian Epic Fantasy Mystery & Crime Post-Apocalyptic Space Opera Urban Fantasy Young Adult Fantasy
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (NZ) English (SA) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • MA Publishing (University of the Arts London)
  • Imago Training - Editing and Enhancing your eBooks
  • Publishing Training Centre - Digital Proofreading
  • MA Linguistics (Cambridge University)

Work experience

Self-employed

Dec, 2016 — Present

I've been a freelance copyeditor on Reedsy since 2016, and in that time I have built rewarding relationships with many authors, helping them to put that polish on their projects that really makes them stand out to their readers. I have a great passion for young adult and adult fiction, especially fantasy and science fiction, but I don't work exclusively in those genres. I have worked on a range of manuscripts, from epic fantasy to popular science and everything in between. I am also fluent in all English standards (British, American, Canadian, Australian, etc.).

Usborne Publishing

Jan, 2012 — Mar, 2016 (about 4 years)

Producing reflowable and fixed-layout ebooks.

Editing and proofreading ebooks.

Making changes directly into the code and implementing updates to existing ebooks.

Repurposing print books to optimise ebook layouts.

Assessing digital potential for print books.

Writing and updating metadata for ebook retailers.

Designing and editing webpages for company websites.

Templar Publishing

Jan, 2011 — Dec, 2011 (11 months)

Maintaining company websites and social media channels.

Setting up Facebook pages and creating custom FBML pages.

Organising and running blog tours for authors.

Designing and writing marketing materials for blog tours and websites.

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Fae Gods: Underworld

Wood, Philinna

Ourania Pontikogianni

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Breath (Alexandria) (Bloodline Heritage (Alexandria) Book 1)

Sutovál, Tristian

The Infinitus Continuum, LLC

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Sapphire Crown: A Fantasy Romance Series

Penfold, Hannah

Hannah Penfold

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Butcher of Graywall (Akken Chronicles Book 7)

Tidd, Cy

Rogue Leaves Publishing, LLC

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
A Ballad of Hate and Hope (Tears of Flame)

Prime, Kaylea

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Fae Gods: Maze

Wood, Philinna

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Aris and the Obsidian Door: Game of Gods, #2

Leander, E. M.

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
String Walker: A Scarlett Stone Adventure

Slaughter, Paula J.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Sunstruck: A Young Adult Fantasy Adventure

Bellis, Melissa

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Through My Eyes: A Scarlett Stone Adventure

Slaughter, Paula

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Information Cloud (Tales of Cinnamon City Book 1)

West, Peter James

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Coronation: A House of Windsor Mystery

Hodgetts, Eileen Enwright

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Ruined Maiden

Winter, AD

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Spellblade: Book Two of the Neverborne Series

Eversand, Ezekiel

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Kingfall (The Neverborne Series)

Eversand, Ezekiel

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Bloody Charming

Winter, A D

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Shielded Past (The Dragon Rogues Book 3)

Holmberg, D.K.

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Unknown (First of the Blade Book 4)

Holmberg, D.K.

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Unfinished (First of the Blade Book 5)

Holmberg, D.K.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
If Light Above: A War of Whispers Book 1

Crow, Lily Anne

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Then Dark Below: A War of Whispers Book 2

Crow, Lily Anne

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Dreams of Dust: Will of the Wayfinder Book One

Crow, Lily Anne

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
River of Stars: Will of the Wayfinder Book Two

Crow, Lily Anne

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Air Raid: A World War Two Mystery (Toby Whitby Book 1)

Hodgetts, Eileen Enwright

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Imposter: A World War Two Mystery (Toby Whitby Book 2)

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

Toby Whitby must look to the dark days of 1940 to find the true identity of the dead man with no hands. England, 1952. A body washes up on Brighton beach and Lawyer Toby Whitby’s secretary swe... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Watchers: The Blood Dagger

Misty Hayes

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Tree of Souls (The Blood Dagger Book 3)

Hayes, Misty

Copy Editing
Written is the heart-wrenching story of a young girl’s struggle for freedom, and the uncovering of an intricate plan laced around forty years of secrets, betrayal and lies, in a family despera... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Excalibur Rising: Book One of an Arthurian Saga

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

A newscaster. A psychic. A legend brought to life…Marcus is losing his touch. The TV newscaster’s ratings are down and his job is on the line. So when he’s given the opportunity to leave Las V... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Excalibur Rising Book Three: Volume 3

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Excalibur Rising Book Two: An Arthurian Saga

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

*King Arthur prepares to fight his final battle against Mordred.*When a peasant boy finds a hoard of alien coins, he begins a journey that will change the future of Camelot. In Book Two of Exc... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Thief of Names (Watcher and the Rose Book 2)

Sorensen, Jane

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Excalibur Rising Book Four: An Arthurian Saga

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

Excalibur Rising Book Four is the final episode of the Excalibur Rising Series where all questions are answered. Merlin's magical powers are fading and Albion faces enemies on all sides. While... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Forced to be Free (Isolated Futures Book 1)

Martens, Koen

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Hidden (Akken Chronicles Book 4)

Tidd, Cy

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Forged (Akken Chronicles Book 5)

Tidd, Cy

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Cities of the River: Western Invasion

Syed, Shan

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Crimson Scar

Penfold, Hannah

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Name Endless (Watcher and the Rose Book 1)

Sorensen, Jane

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Fate of Fury: Vitarian Chronicles Volume 0.5

Watson, S. L.

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Awakening Dusk (Wings of Change Book 1)

Weidner, R.

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Primal Dragon

Millar, Laura K

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Birth From Ashes (Firebringer Book 1)

Samaniego, Teresa

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Midnight Beach

Heinan, Tom

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Art Stone (Echoes of Elybion Book 1)

Ellis, Jesse A

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Lost Pilgrim

Beynon, Neil

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Stargazer Girl (Stargazer Series Book 4)

Woodman, T.R.

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Better Together (Win Win for the Win Book 1)

O'Brien, Geoff

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Monster Girl (Stargazer Series Book 3)

T.R. Woodman

Stay and face a terrifying plague alone. Leave and face the wrath of the colonists who exiled her. A choice Evelyn may not survive.Exiled by the colonists she was created to protect, Evelyn is... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Doppelganger Girl (Stargazer Series Book 2)

T.R. Woodman

For fans of Defy the Stars, Configured and The Hunger Games comes the second book in the new sci-fi series by T.R. Woodman.A girl who just wants to fit in. A boy who loves her despite her past... read more
Copy Editing
For fans of Defy the Stars, Configured and The Hunger Games comes a new sci-fi series that will leave you breathless.A defiant girl with her eyes on a new world. Her stubborn brother with his ... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Wonder Girls

J.M. Carr

Unlikely friends, despicable villains, and deadly peril – can a gang of thieving misfits stop the Blackshirts (British supporters of Adolf Hitler) from sending orphans to Hitler? THE WONDER GI... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Spooky Little Things

Matthew T. Eaton

Madison is an ordinary girl with a passion for reading and aspirations of being a writer. With Halloween looming, she makes some unlikely friends and agrees to help them find their way back ho... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Sakiko Crewe

C. W. Brown

Finding one’s place in the world isn’t always easy, and for many, the journey of self-discovery can be quite the adventure.Sakiko Crewe has lived in the same small town her entire life. With g... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Azuran: The Dragon Keeper Chronicles

Tai Manivong

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Beneath the Broken Moon: Shattered Worlds Book One

Todoroff, Patrick

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Siren Plays Zeperno

Geoff O'Brien

Thelsea is struggling to move on after her mother’s sudden death last year. Her father doesn’t tell her they’re moving to a new city until they’ve arrived. A reclusive girl, Thelsea deals with... read more
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Elkwood: A Montana Fable

Tracie Elizabeth Pabst

Set in an enigmatic, magical, wild, and wonderful place, a story unfolds that will change you forever. There is a place where trees grow straight and tall, mountains eclipse the earth, the sta... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Slower

Ted Shepherd

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Circle: Taken

Sage Sask

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Scarred God

Neil Beynon

“Quite possibly your next favourite fantasy author.” - Gareth L. PowellTo save her people, she must stop a ritual massacre. But how do you kill a god?Anya longs to follow in the fabled footste... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Lightmaker

Elliott, Kevin

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
To the Gilded Depths: A War of Whispers Book Four

Crow, Lily Anne

Raven & Rum Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Trials of Ildarwood: Fall of the Forsaken

Selvyn, S.C.

Avylaan Kingdom Press

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Trials of Ildarwood: Cinders in the Snow

Selvyn, S.C.

Avylaan Kingdom Press

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
From the Shrouded Heights: A War of Whispers Book Three

Crow, Lily Anne

Raven & Rum Press

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Black Fox of Beckham

David L. Heaney

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Mum Swap (The Kitty Cooper Series)

Lucinda Fox

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
My Dad, the Earth Warrior

Gary Haq

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
A Most Slanticulis Christmas

Beaufort Smedley

Copy Editing
Those who are drawn to developing their Intuitive Power tend to be highly empathic. And this can be problematic unless you know how to take care of yourself. Josephine reminds us in Love Being... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Fitting Out: The Friendship Experiment

Sarah Giles

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Nuclear! (The Rosemary Kids Book 1)

Alan French

The Rosemary Kids: Different fairy tales for tomorrow’s citizens!On a school excursion to a nuclear power plant, best friends Rose and Mary stumble upon a conspiracy that might put the whole c... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Boy Who Stole One Million Socks

James Warwood

Copy Editing
Wondering if the Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the right breed for you? Perhaps you want to try the Entlebucher lifestyle on for size before choosing the breed for you and your family?When Linda... read more
Copy Editing
More and more, artificial intelligence is taking over our lives.Voice-controlled assistants like Alexa and Siri, Amazon’s recommendation engine, Google’s search, self-driving cars, autonomous ... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Grishton Podwood's Sacred Winchup Band

S.C. Jacks

Young, afraid and thousands of miles from home, Grishton Podwood has landed on the Zubious Islands to finally learn the true power of the winchup band bestowed on each Jagat at birth. He’s wai... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Ethan and the Key

Dennis Canfield

Twelve-year-old Ethan Mason is focused on baseball, math tests, and staying out of Howard Russman's way. That is, until a mysterious puddle of green light appears in the upstairs hallway of hi... read more
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Sali and the Five Kingdoms: Volume 1

Oumar Dieng

Copy Editing
I don't know how you got here but this page isn't for you. This is an extremely dangerous book with a very deadly secret. It is an alarming account of two extraordinary adventurers, a missing magician's diary, a symphony of smells and a deadly secret... If you... read more
A Boy Called Hope

Lara Williamson

Since his dad ran off with the lady from the chip shop, Dan Hope's life has gone a bit strange, what with his sister acting mean and Mum's new boyfriend keeping secrets. And now – even stranger – his dad has turned up as a presenter on TV. So Dan decides to so... read more
Anna and the French Kiss

Stephanie Perkins

Anna is less than thrilled to be shipped off to boarding school in Paris, leaving a fledgling romance behind – until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a girlfriend. But in the City of Light, wishes have a w... read more
Tangled Secrets

Anne-Marie Conway

Maddie's life is a tangled mess of secrets. She's grieving for Nan, struggling for Mum's attention, and scared she's losing Dad too. She keeps everything knotted up inside, unable to find her voice... until she's paired with Kieran Black - the bad-boy troublem... read more
Butterfly Summer

Anne-Marie Conway

In her summer of secrets, all Becky knows is that everything can change in the beat of a butterfly's wing... When Becky finds an old photo in a box under her mum's bed, everything she thought she knew comes crashing down. The only place she finds comfort is at... read more
Forbidden Friends

Anne-Marie Conway

When Bee and Lizzie meet on a beach in Spain, they feel as if they've always known each other. Escaping from their parents and exploring the coast, everything seems perfect in the hot summer sun. But when a chance meeting reveals their two families used to be ... read more
The year is 1891 and London is at war. High up on the rooftops lives a ragtag band of orphans and spies – the Watchers – protectors of the city. But below the cobbled streets lurks the Legion, a ruthless gang of cut-throats and thieves, plotting to unleash the... read more
Freak the Mighty

Rodman Philbrick

Max is used to being called Stupid. And he is used to everyone being scared of him. On account of his size and looking like his dad. Kevin is used to being called Dwarf. And he is used to everyone laughing at him. On account of his size and being some cripple ... read more
Evie, Amber and Lottie: three girls facing down tough issues with the combined powers of friendship, feminism and cheesy snacks. Both hilarious and heart-rending, this is Evie’s no-holds-barred story of struggling to live a “normal” teen life in the grip of OC... read more
Bree is a loser, a wannabe author who hides behind words. But when she's told she needs to start living a life worth writing about, The Manifesto on How to Be Interesting is born. Six steps on how to be interesting. Six steps that will see her infiltrate the p... read more
Now You See Me

Emma Haughton

Three years ago, Hannah's best friend Danny Geller vanished without trace. Not knowing if he's alive or dead, she struggles to move on with a life shrouded in secrets and suspicions... But as hope returns to haunt Danny's family and their desperation is used a... read more
North Child

Edith Pattou

Rose was born into the world facing north, and as a north child, superstition says that she will be a wanderer, travelling far from home. This prophecy is fulfilled when she is taken on the back of a white bear to a mysterious empty castle, where a silent stra... read more
Mockingbird

Kathryn Erskine

11-year-old Caitlin has Asperger's Syndrome, and has always had her older brother, Devon, to explain the confusing things around her. But when Devon is killed in a tragic school shooting, Caitlin has to try and make sense of the world without him. With her dad... read more
Coming from sunny California, the mist-shrouded Academy was a shock, with its strange customs, ancient curriculum and study of Latin - the language of the dead. Then I discovered that the school has more than one dark secret... I also discovered Dante. Intelli... read more
Willow knows she's different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into people's futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where she ... read more
Tamburlaine's Elephants

Geraldine McCaughrean

Rusti is a Mongol warrior, fighting for the bloodthirsty Tamburlaine, Conqueror of the World. He intends to show the enemy neither fear nor mercy... until he comes face-to-face with his first elephant. Kavi is the elephant's rider. Captured by the terrifying M... read more

Leonora has 216 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Paula S.

Paula S.

Nov, 2024

Pinned
Leonora is an absolute gem! And I’m not just saying that. This is the third book she’s edited for me and I won’t let anyone else touch my work going forward. Her keen eye for detail and dedication to preserving my voice made all the difference in my work. Every edit enhanced clarity and flow, elevating my manuscript beyond what I’d imagined. Communicative, thorough, and incredibly insightful, L...
Read more
FJ H.

FJ H.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Leonora. From the very beginning when she did a sample edit of the excerpt I provided, I was blown away by her attention to detail and the way that she presented her critiques. When I chose to hire her for the collaboration she laid out a detailed plan of the process she would use and what I could expect. She let me know each step of the way wh...
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Alistair R.

Alistair R.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Just brilliant. Leonora's attention to detail is truly amazing. My manuscript is in a much better state thanks to her expertise. She picked out details I would never have seen and sorted out all my messy commas, paragraphs, dangling modifiers and head hops. As well as some insightful comments on the odd plot hole. Not only is my manuscript better and one step closer to being published, but I've...
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Jason M.

Jason M.

Nov, 2024

It was a thrill to work with Leona and I can't wait to be able to do so again on future projects. She was attentive, curious, consistent, hyper-detailed, professional, prompt and a delight from beginning to end. I fully heartedly recommend her for your editorial needs.
Kenneth S.

Kenneth S.

Aug, 2024

Leonora has a sharp eye for detail and goes beyond what's expected. Detailed notes made my life easier. I get easily distracted by things around my desk, on my screen, or what's going on outside. She's the opposite, I think, although I don't know that for sure.

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