Lucy Benyon

Lucy Benyon – Editor

Copy editor, developmental editor and health journalist. My specialisms are health, personal development, history, memoirs and articles.

Overview

After more than 20 years in journalism, I understand the importance of accuracy, style and making every word count. And as an avid reader as well as an editor, I know how easily poor structure and long, complicated sentences can ruin a potentially good manuscript.

While I try not to make changes for the sake of it, I have a strong radar for waffle, factual inaccuracy, legal issues and chronology.

I also think it's important to approach every book differently - which is why I offer authors a customised style guide to suit the tone and purpose of their manuscripts.

One of my passions is personal development, and I have worked on five incredibly thought-provoking self-help titles. Another specialism is health. As a health journalist (Daily Express, Daily Mail, Telegraph) I have covered just about everything from ADHD to asthma, and I am used to turning complex clinical information into an engaging and accessible read. I have a strong interest in mental health and psychology too.

My other love is history - isn't the past where we find some of the best stories? I currently work with the historical publisher Pen & Sword, and I have edited almost 20 historical manuscripts.

As well as editing, I also offer a ghost-writing service - and I have worked with several clinicians and coaches to write guides and medical publications.

Authors like working with me as I am calm, fastidious and refreshingly low maintenance. One author I have collaborated with on 10 manuscripts, described me in the acknowledgements of her latest book as 'a fierce and fabulous editor'. I'll take that!


Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Health & Wellbeing History Inspirational Parenting & Families Self-Help & Self-Improvement Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Languages
English (UK)
Certifications
  • NCTJ Certificate in Newspaper Journalism

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2015 — Present

Since working as an editor, I have so far completed the following titles:

Hitler's Nordic Ally by Claes Johansen (2016)
The Disappearance of Maria Glenn by Naomi Clifford (2016)
Life in the Georgian Court by Catherine Curzon (2016)
Kings of Georgian Britain by Catherine Curzon (2017)
A Fox Crossed My Path by Monica Suswin (2017)
Childhood Death in Victorian England by Sarah Seaton (2017)
Echoes of the Merseyside Blitz by Neil Holmes (2018)
Superfoods by Julie Neville (2018)
Baking without Sugar by Sophie Michell (2018)
Gut Health Probiotics by Jenny Tschiesche (2018)
Scandals of George III's court - Catherine Curzon (2018)
Queens of Georgian Britain by Catherine Curzon (2019)
Kings of Georgian Britain by Catherine Curzon (2019)
Gut Yourself Well - ghost-written for a leading practitioner (2019)
Protecting Your Image: Conferences to Village Halls by David Tollafield (2020)
Why Not? How to Thrive in Life through Balance, Purpose and Pleasure by Johnllins (2020)
The Real Coco Chanel by (2020)
Elizabeth I by Laura Brennan (2020)
Life in the Georgian Court by Catherine Curzon (2020)
The Imprisoned Princess by Catherine Curzon (2020)
The Elder Sons of George III by Catherine Curzon (2020)
The Daughters of George III by Catherine Curzon (2020)
Sophia: Mother of Kings by Catherine Curzon (2021)

Herts Editorial

Jan, 2007 — Present

Aside from my work as an editor and ghostwriter, I am a national newspaper and magazine journalist, specialising in health, celebrity interviews and real life. I currently contribute to The Daily Mail, The Daily Express & The Telegraph.
I also provide health content for several clinics and medical device companies.

Daily Express

Nov, 2004 — Feb, 2007 (over 2 years)

Working on the women's desk of The Daily Express, I was responsible for commissioning articles from freelance journalists; sourcing exclusives myself and editing contributors' copy.

Lucy has 8 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Katie L.

Katie L.

Dec, 2021

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Lucy on my book Love Yourself & Lose Weight: The Success Story of Self Love. Lucy helped with a thorough editorial review and line edit and was a joy to work with. She was deeply knowledgeable and helped guide the writing process , ensuring the structure and flow of my book were very much improved. Her patience and flexibility meant she provided me with ...
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Sue S.

Sue S.

Aug, 2021

Lucy provided very helpful edits as well as questions that encouraged me to expand and clarify sections that still needed work.
James K.

James K.

May, 2021

Lucy was tremendous to work with. This was my first book I've published and Lucy was more than patient with my questions and understanding of the process. She was able to break down the different aspects of editing and helped step me through the work. I was quickly able to connect the dots to her approach and I must say, was amazed to see how it all came together. Despite being a first tim...
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Cate K.

Cate K.

Apr, 2021

Communication and punctuality Lucy is an excellent communicator. At the beginning of this project, Lucy took the time to really get to know us and understand the aims and purpose of our book. We communicated through email and Lucy was happy to participate in Zoom meetings so that we were all clear about the objectives and time frames. There were, as you may expect, one or two times when we n...
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samantha P.

samantha P.

Feb, 2021

Lucy was prompt and able to deliver a turn around of a few days, at short notice. Having her evaluate my writing from a completely different perspective was invaluable. Her input was vital in my journey to develop my own voice and writing style.

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