Lucy Benyon – Editor

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!