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Louis Greenberg

Louis Greenberg - Editor

Leamington Spa, UK

Editor, proofreader and Oxford University writing tutor with over 20 years' expert experience in commercial fiction and non-fiction.

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Reviews (9)
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Reviews (9)
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Overview

Hi, I'm Louis. I'm a copyeditor and proofreader with over twenty years of professional wordworking experience. I can help you polish up your text, squash the bugs, line up your spelling and punctuation, and ask the right questions.

I've edited and proofread fiction for adults, teens and children, specialising in commercial and genre fiction, and also work on lifestyle books and corporate and educational documents. I was a commissioning editor at Random House South Africa and am now a writing tutor at Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education. I am an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading and part of their copyediting tutor panel.

I've published nine thriller and SFFH novels myself and hold a doctorate in English literature. I know the editorial process from conception to sale and am sensitive to the needs of authors, publishers and clients.
Services
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Languages
English (SA)
English (UK)
English (US)
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction
Middle Grade
Mystery & Crime
Science Fiction
Thriller & Suspense
Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Humanities & Social Sciences

Certifications

  • Copy-Editing 2 (SfEP)
  • Proofreading 2 (SfEP)
  • PhD English Literature

Work experience

Freelance Editor and Author

Self-employed
April, 2009 – Present (almost 14 years)

Freelance since 2009, I have edited and proofread scores of books including crime, thrillers and SFFH, children’s and literary fiction, travel, sport and lifestyle. I have also worked on a variety of books, articles, educational courses and documents for publishers and commercial, academic and private clients.

As an author I've published four novels under my own name, and as S.L. Grey, collaborating with Sarah Lotz, I've published five horror-thrillers in the UK, US and several international markets.

Creative Writing Tutor

Oxford University
September, 2019 – Present (over 3 years)

I currently tutor online creative writing and drama writing courses for Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education.

Commissioning Editor

Random House Struik
June, 2011 – March, 2013 (over 1 year)

I was the commissioning editor and project manager of eKhaya, Penguin Random House South Africa's digital publishing imprint, until they were absorbed into PRH. The role involved every phase of producing books from submission all the way through to publication.

Writing and Editing Tutor

Writers' College
May, 2011 – January, 2014 (over 2 years)

I designed and tutored the original three-module course on copyediting and proofreading for the SA/UK/NZ Writers' College and tutored their Write a Novel course.

Contract Editor

Tshikululu Social Investments
May, 2009 – October, 2011 (over 2 years)

I worked on a freelance basis editing CSI funding proposal documents to be presented to board meetings of major corporations such as Anglo American and De Beers. The documents needed to be produced to the exacting standards of a stringent and complex house style.

Marketing Content Co-ordinator

Exclusive Books
March, 2001 – April, 2009 (about 8 years)

In this position I wrote, edited and produced all the Exclusive Books in-house, ad hoc and website publications, including brochures, newsletters and posters.

Bookseller and Deputy Bookshop Manager

Exclusive Books
July, 1996 – March, 2001 (over 4 years)

My position involved IT and financial management, staffing, training, buying and customer service at the flagship Hyde Park store of Exclusive Books, South Africa's major book retailer.

Portfolio (41 selected works)

Gallows Court Gallows Court

Gallows Court

Martin Edwards

The Boy at the Door The Boy at the Door

The Boy at the Door

Alex Dahl

District VIII (Danube Blues) District VIII (Danube Blues)

District VIII (Danube Blues)

Adam LeBor

Please Read Notes: Brand New, International Softcover Edition, Printed in black and white pages, minor self wear on the cover or pages, Sale restriction may be printed on the book, but Book name, contents, and author are exactly same as Hardcover Edition. Fast delivery through DHL/FedEx express.

Please Read Notes: Brand New, International Softcover Edition, Printed in black and white pages, minor self wear on the cover or pages, Sale restriction may be printed on the book, but Book name, contents, and author are exactly same as Hardcover Edition. Fast delivery through DHL/FedEx express.

Elevation 1: The Thousand Steps Elevation 1: The Thousand Steps

Elevation 1: The Thousand Steps

Helen Brain

Someday I’ll see the sky.I’ll climb the thousand steps.The gates will open and my family will be waiting,ready to take me home.Sixteen-year-old Ebba has never experienced life outside the underground bunker deep inside Table Mountain, known as the colony. But in a sudden twist of fate she is Elevated to join the elite living on the surface in a post-apocalyptic world.Was she saved because of t... read more

Someday I’ll see the sky.I’ll climb the thousand steps.The gates will open and my family will be waiting,ready to take me home.Sixteen-year-old Ebba has never experienced life outside the underground bunker deep inside Table Mountain, known as the colony. But in a sudden twist of fate she is Elevated to join the elite living on the surface in a post-apocalyptic world.Was she saved because of t... read more

Dogtective William and the pirates Dogtective William and the pirates

Dogtective William and the pirates

Elizabeth Wasserman

The Army Of The Lost (Deadlands Trilogy 3) The Army Of The Lost (Deadlands Trilogy 3)

The Army Of The Lost (Deadlands Trilogy 3)

Lily Herne

The Apartment (Blumhouse Books) The Apartment (Blumhouse Books)

The Apartment (Blumhouse Books)

S L Grey

From Blumhouse Books, a haunting thriller about a troubled married couple whose vacation to Paris leads them into a nightmare. "Dark and deeply disturbing. I'm still shuddering."--R.L. Stine“An impressively compelling chiller… an ideal choice for late nights alone.” -- CultureCrypt Mark and Steph have a relatively happy family with their young daughter in sunny Cape Town until one day when arm... read more

From Blumhouse Books, a haunting thriller about a troubled married couple whose vacation to Paris leads them into a nightmare. "Dark and deeply disturbing. I'm still shuddering."--R.L. Stine“An impressively compelling chiller… an ideal choice for late nights alone.” -- CultureCrypt Mark and Steph have a relatively happy family with their young daughter in sunny Cape Town until one day when arm... read more

Green Valley Green Valley

Green Valley

Louis Greenberg

Chilling near-future SF for fans of Black Mirror and True Detective.When Lucie Sterling's niece is abducted, she knows it won't be easy to find answers. Stanton is no ordinary city: invasive digital technology has been banned, by public vote. No surveillance state, no shadowy companies holding databases of information on private citizens, no phones tracking their every move. Only one place sta... read more

Chilling near-future SF for fans of Black Mirror and True Detective.When Lucie Sterling's niece is abducted, she knows it won't be easy to find answers. Stanton is no ordinary city: invasive digital technology has been banned, by public vote. No surveillance state, no shadowy companies holding databases of information on private citizens, no phones tracking their every move. Only one place sta... read more

The Coven (Beatrice Scarlet Book 2) The Coven (Beatrice Scarlet Book 2)

The Coven (Beatrice Scarlet Book 2)

Graham Masterton

They say the girls were witches. But Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, is sure they were innocent victims... London, 1758: Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, has found a position at St Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women. The charity is supported by a wealthy merchant who offers the most promising girls steady work in his factory. But when seven girls go missing, Beat... read more

They say the girls were witches. But Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, is sure they were innocent victims... London, 1758: Beatrice Scarlet, the apothecary's daughter, has found a position at St Mary Magdalene's Refuge for fallen women. The charity is supported by a wealthy merchant who offers the most promising girls steady work in his factory. But when seven girls go missing, Beat... read more

The Printmaker The Printmaker

The Printmaker

Bronwyn Law-Viljoen

When a reclusive printmaker dies, his friend inherits the thousands of etchings and drawings he has stored in his house over the years. Overwhelmed by the task of sorting and exhibiting this work, she seeks the advice of a curator.What compulsion drove the printmaker to make art for four decades, and why did he so seldom show his prints?When the curator discovers a single, sealed box addressed... read more

When a reclusive printmaker dies, his friend inherits the thousands of etchings and drawings he has stored in his house over the years. Overwhelmed by the task of sorting and exhibiting this work, she seeks the advice of a curator.What compulsion drove the printmaker to make art for four decades, and why did he so seldom show his prints?When the curator discovers a single, sealed box addressed... read more

Of Cops & Robbers (Kahn & Pescado 1) Of Cops & Robbers (Kahn & Pescado 1)

Of Cops & Robbers (Kahn & Pescado 1)

Mike Nicol

Never Let Go Never Let Go

Never Let Go

Gareth Crocker

As he presses a revolver to his head, Reece Cole sees his little daughter’s handprints on the windowpane. One last, painful reminder of her all too short life. But then he notices something about the handprints that defies belief. Something that verges on the impossible,He spends the next few days frantically trying to make sense of what is happening. Then a stranger stops at his gate with a s... read more

As he presses a revolver to his head, Reece Cole sees his little daughter’s handprints on the windowpane. One last, painful reminder of her all too short life. But then he notices something about the handprints that defies belief. Something that verges on the impossible,He spends the next few days frantically trying to make sense of what is happening. Then a stranger stops at his gate with a s... read more

Kossuth Square (Danube Blues) Kossuth Square (Danube Blues)

Kossuth Square (Danube Blues)

Adam LeBor

The Friend The Friend

The Friend

Joakim Zander

The Record Keeper: 1 The Record Keeper: 1

The Record Keeper: 1

Agnes Gomillion

The Plague Stones The Plague Stones

The Plague Stones

James Brogden

Sharp edges Sharp edges

Sharp edges

S.A. Partridge

The Poisoned Chalice: The rise and fall of the post-isolation Springbok coaches The Poisoned Chalice: The rise and fall of the post-isolation Springbok coaches

The Poisoned Chalice: The rise and fall of the post-isolation Springbok coaches

Gavin Rich

The Springboks have had several post-isolation coaches, and if they agree on nothing else, they will concur that everyone in the job suffers enormous pressure. Unlike coaches from other rugby-playing countries, they also face many obstacles outside of the game, such as South Africa’s complicated politics and the often unrealistic expectations of both the public and the media. It has been calle... read more

The Springboks have had several post-isolation coaches, and if they agree on nothing else, they will concur that everyone in the job suffers enormous pressure. Unlike coaches from other rugby-playing countries, they also face many obstacles outside of the game, such as South Africa’s complicated politics and the often unrealistic expectations of both the public and the media. It has been calle... read more

The Boy Who Could Keep A Swan in His Head The Boy Who Could Keep A Swan in His Head

The Boy Who Could Keep A Swan in His Head

John Hunt

“Hillbrow, 1967. The New York of Africa. Someone wrote that the place would soon have more people per square kilometre than Tokyo. Everyone quoted that article to everyone. Some even cut it out and kept it folded in their wallets.”While other boys daydream about racing cars and football, eleven-year-old stutterer Phen sits reading to his father. In number four Duchess Court, Phen’s dad looks l... read more

“Hillbrow, 1967. The New York of Africa. Someone wrote that the place would soon have more people per square kilometre than Tokyo. Everyone quoted that article to everyone. Some even cut it out and kept it folded in their wallets.”While other boys daydream about racing cars and football, eleven-year-old stutterer Phen sits reading to his father. In number four Duchess Court, Phen’s dad looks l... read more

Killer Country Killer Country

Killer Country

Mike Nicol

Agents of the State (Kahn & Pescado 2) Agents of the State (Kahn & Pescado 2)

Agents of the State (Kahn & Pescado 2)

Mike Nicol

Eric the Brave Eric the Brave

Eric the Brave

Johan Vlok Louw

“They sit in the doors of the Big Mamma Pumas, feet dangling out, all gung ho. Sometimes you have a bad hair day in the big fat sky – come back with holes in you.”First nothing happens, on the border between Namibia and Angola, 1983. A platoon of servicemen at a remote outpost kill time smoking, drinking, grating each other’s nerves. Eric draws Scope pictures to amuse his mates while he observ... read more

“They sit in the doors of the Big Mamma Pumas, feet dangling out, all gung ho. Sometimes you have a bad hair day in the big fat sky – come back with holes in you.”First nothing happens, on the border between Namibia and Angola, 1983. A platoon of servicemen at a remote outpost kill time smoking, drinking, grating each other’s nerves. Eric draws Scope pictures to amuse his mates while he observ... read more

Transformations: Essays Transformations: Essays

Transformations: Essays

Imraan Coovadia

Dreaming of Light Dreaming of Light

Dreaming of Light

Jayne Bauling

Regile is a zama-zama working illegally in an abandoned mine near Barberton. He has moved up the ranks and is now paid a salary to keep the other child workers in line. Towards the end of a three-month stint underground, a fourteen-year-old boy from Mozambique, Taiba, starts asking questions about their rescue. Taiba constantly reaffirms his belief that they will be saved: by the police, by th... read more

Regile is a zama-zama working illegally in an abandoned mine near Barberton. He has moved up the ranks and is now paid a salary to keep the other child workers in line. Towards the end of a three-month stint underground, a fourteen-year-old boy from Mozambique, Taiba, starts asking questions about their rescue. Taiba constantly reaffirms his belief that they will be saved: by the police, by th... read more

Black Heart (Revenge Trilogy Book 3) Black Heart (Revenge Trilogy Book 3)

Black Heart (Revenge Trilogy Book 3)

Mike Nicol

CAPE TOWN: winter. A wealthy Native American couple, looking to invest in a local casino development. A German weapons scientist, on the run from a gang of Eastern European thugs. Ordinary enough security jobs for Mace Bishop and Pylon Buso, it seems, but when one of the Americans is kidnapped and a local reporter starts showing too much interest in the scientist's murky Balkan past, things qu... read more

CAPE TOWN: winter. A wealthy Native American couple, looking to invest in a local casino development. A German weapons scientist, on the run from a gang of Eastern European thugs. Ordinary enough security jobs for Mace Bishop and Pylon Buso, it seems, but when one of the Americans is kidnapped and a local reporter starts showing too much interest in the scientist's murky Balkan past, things qu... read more

Journey from Darkness Journey from Darkness

Journey from Darkness

Gareth Crocker

An African adventure set on the border between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Escaping an England crippled by The Great War, twin brothers Edward and Derek Hughes head to South Africa. Inspired by their late father’s diary, they intend to help save the country’s dwindling elephant population from savage poaching that has placed them on the brink of oblivion. Soon after their arrival they... read more

An African adventure set on the border between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Escaping an England crippled by The Great War, twin brothers Edward and Derek Hughes head to South Africa. Inspired by their late father’s diary, they intend to help save the country’s dwindling elephant population from savage poaching that has placed them on the brink of oblivion. Soon after their arrival they... read more

Sleeper Sleeper

Sleeper

Mike Nicol

First there is the killing of the minister of energy. Then the cop investigating the murder commits suicide. Fearing a conspiracy, the minister’s lover hires pi Fish Pescado to find the killer. Then she goes missing. And Fish is being stonewalled by the cops because …… in the dark shadows of Cape Town there’s another game being played out. A complex one involving Iranian agents, the theft of h... read more

First there is the killing of the minister of energy. Then the cop investigating the murder commits suicide. Fearing a conspiracy, the minister’s lover hires pi Fish Pescado to find the killer. Then she goes missing. And Fish is being stonewalled by the cops because …… in the dark shadows of Cape Town there’s another game being played out. A complex one involving Iranian agents, the theft of h... read more

King King

King

Gareth Crocker

Elijah Rolene is a lost man. Folowing the death of his wife, he quits his job as a police pilot and turns to prescription painkillers for comfort. Not content to watch him destroy his life, his veterinarian sister convinces him to help out at her animal shelter where he helps to rescue a rare white lion cub. Soon the lion is brought to live with them in their Detroit home and instantly connect... read more

Elijah Rolene is a lost man. Folowing the death of his wife, he quits his job as a police pilot and turns to prescription painkillers for comfort. Not content to watch him destroy his life, his veterinarian sister convinces him to help out at her animal shelter where he helps to rescue a rare white lion cub. Soon the lion is brought to live with them in their Detroit home and instantly connect... read more

Oliver Strange and the journey to the swamps (school edition) Oliver Strange and the journey to the swamps (school edition)

Oliver Strange and the journey to the swamps (school edition)

Diane Hofmeyr

Oliver Strange’s life in London is all very normal until his father disappears in the wilds of the Okavango Swamps while collecting frog data. When Oliver goes in search of his dad, he is captured and things go from bad to worse. He soon discovers his knowledge of reading maps and his Swiss Army knife are not enough when faced with crocodiles, hippos, lions and dynamite-brandishing crooks with... read more

Oliver Strange’s life in London is all very normal until his father disappears in the wilds of the Okavango Swamps while collecting frog data. When Oliver goes in search of his dad, he is captured and things go from bad to worse. He soon discovers his knowledge of reading maps and his Swiss Army knife are not enough when faced with crocodiles, hippos, lions and dynamite-brandishing crooks with... read more

Oliver Strange and the Ghosts of Madagascar Oliver Strange and the Ghosts of Madagascar

Oliver Strange and the Ghosts of Madagascar

Dianne Hofmeyr

A modern day pirate story . . . Oliver Strange is helping his father collect frog data in Madagascar when he and his friend, Zinzi, come across a strange laboratory and a girl held captive. Then his father disappears. While searching for clues, Oliver and Zinzi discover more than frogs, lemurs and giant boas lurking in the trees. The forests are filled with ghosts of the past, when pirates plu... read more

A modern day pirate story . . . Oliver Strange is helping his father collect frog data in Madagascar when he and his friend, Zinzi, come across a strange laboratory and a girl held captive. Then his father disappears. While searching for clues, Oliver and Zinzi discover more than frogs, lemurs and giant boas lurking in the trees. The forests are filled with ghosts of the past, when pirates plu... read more

The Mall The Mall

The Mall

S.L. Grey

Dan works at a bookstore in a deadly dull shopping mall where nothing ever happens. He's an angsty emo-kid who sells mid-list books to mid-list people for the minimum wage. He hates his job. Rhoda has dragged her babysitting charge to the mall so she can meet her dealer and score some coke. Now the kid's run off, and she has two hours to find him. She hates her life. Rhoda bullies Dan into hel... read more

Dan works at a bookstore in a deadly dull shopping mall where nothing ever happens. He's an angsty emo-kid who sells mid-list books to mid-list people for the minimum wage. He hates his job. Rhoda has dragged her babysitting charge to the mall so she can meet her dealer and score some coke. Now the kid's run off, and she has two hours to find him. She hates her life. Rhoda bullies Dan into hel... read more

The Heart Keeper The Heart Keeper

The Heart Keeper

Dahl, Alex

Infinite Stars Infinite Stars

Infinite Stars

Weber, David, Herbert, Brian, Moon, Elizabeth, Card, Orson Scott, Schmidt, Bryan Thomas

Blood Stone Blood Stone

Blood Stone

Zyl, Irna van

Mortmain Hall (Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mysteries) Mortmain Hall (Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mysteries)

Mortmain Hall (Rachel Savernake Golden Age Mysteries)

Edwards, Martin

The Package The Package

The Package

Fitzek, Sebastian, Bulloch, Jamie

Passenger 23 Passenger 23

Passenger 23

Fitzek, Sebastian, Bulloch, Jamie

The Plague Stones The Plague Stones

The Plague Stones

Brodgen, James

Wonderland: An Anthology Wonderland: An Anthology

Wonderland: An Anthology

O'Regan, Marie, Kane, Paul, SLATTER, ANGELA, Lovegrove, James, Littlewood, Alison

Medici: Ascendancy Medici: Ascendancy

Medici: Ascendancy

Strukul, Matteo

Seat 7a: buckle up for the ride of your life Seat 7a: buckle up for the ride of your life

Seat 7a: buckle up for the ride of your life

Fitzek, Sebastian, Anderson, Steve

Louis has 9 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
S. L. Ager
Louis is professional and punctual. I will work with him again.

S. L. Ager, April 2022

S. L. Ager
Working with Louis again. So, heck yeah, he's good!

S. L. Ager, March 2022

Jack Lively
I didn't actually work with Louis because I wasn't ready in time and he was busy when I was ready. But he was very good to communicate with and helped out with some annoying refund stuff. I hope to work with him in the future,

Jack Lively, November 2021

Michael Franz
Louis did a great job of copy editing my novel SKID KIDS! He made some strong developmental observations which I appreciated and delivered the edited manuscript back right on time. I would work with him again.

Michael Franz, March 2021

Jenny Cutts
I have used Louis' services for proofreading three full-length novels and each time have been delighted by the high quality of the work provided including thorough styles sheets. I was also impressed by his communication, scheduling and reliability around the jobs. Each document was turned in ahead of the deadline and I would be more than happy to trust Louis with my manuscripts in the future.

Jenny Cutts, January 2021

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