Lucy Carroll

Lucy Carroll – Editor

Editor with 9+ years experience developing projects for leading publishers, dedicated to guiding first-time authors.

Overview

My goal is to help you navigate the confusing world of pre-publication and polish your query letter, proposal or manuscript so that your project is in the best possible position to be picked up by an agent or publisher.

As a proactive commissioning editor, my specialty lies in working with first-time authors to turn their ideas and expertise into a commercially viable book.

I am delighted to work with authors on:

- query letters and proposals to bring to agents or publishers

- the overall plan and structure of a book

- tone and writing style

- developing a manuscript to meet a publishable standard

To date, I have enjoyed working across a variety of non-fiction areas, including wellbeing, fantasy, memoir, self-help, history, cookery, narrative non-fiction and children's non-fiction.

I look forward to working with you to bring your project to life!

Lucy

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Health & Wellbeing History Nature Self-Help & Self-Improvement Sex & Relationships
Fiction
Historical Fiction
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • MA in Publishing from UCL
  • BA in History of Art from the University of Edinburgh
  • MA in History from Birkbeck, University of London

Work experience

Hachette

Jun, 2024 — Present
At Welbeck, an imprint within Hachette, I commission and manage a list of beautiful illustrated books across a range of topics, including gardening books, cookbooks, lifestyle books, atlases and more!

Pan Macmillan

Nov, 2023 — Jun, 2024 (7 months)
I commissioned and edited self-help and wellbeing titles at Pan Macmillan.

Watkins Publishing

Nov, 2021 — Nov, 2023 (about 2 years)
I lead a dynamic health and wellbeing list at Watkins Publishing, acquiring around 12 titles a year from up-and-coming and established authors. I also published within other areas covered by the Watkins and Nourish imprints, including food and drink, gardening and children’s wellbeing.

Bloomsbury Publishing

Aug, 2015 — Sep, 2021 (about 6 years)
Acted as editorial and strategic lead for a specialist non-fiction list, commissioning and developing projects.

The Siren Press

Apr, 2014 — Mar, 2016 (almost 2 years)
Worked on fiction titles, including an anthology of short stories featuring award winning authors.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching

Lucy has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Jenny W.

Jenny W.

Aug, 2025

Pinned
Lucy was lovely to work with. She identified a core question straight away that needed to be answered while helping me with my book proposal. She was responsive and engaged and her helpful questions allowed me to find the focus of the proposal and polish it from there. I'm so grateful for her inp...
Read more
Lucy-Ann P.

Lucy-Ann P.

Jul, 2025

Pinned
Lucy has been fabulous from start to finish. As a new author myself, she was very understanding and informative throughout each stage, from manuscript to print. She has excellent insight and offers highly constructive feedback. Her experience in editing, formatting and publishing is very evident,...
Read more
ekaterina S.

ekaterina S.

May, 2024

Pinned
Lucy was an incredible editor. Absolutely amazing. I've never had edits so clear and concise. She really helped me hone my 'writer voice' as well as get scene and description down. She helped me figure out my 'why' and was so thorough and thoughtful. I will definitely be coming to her again!
erin P.

erin P.

Sep, 2025

Really enjoyed working with Lucky. She provided great feedback and gave me some confidence in my work!
vincent S.

vincent S.

Jun, 2025

Lucy did a wonderful, thorough job editing my story. Her insights were sharp and insightful, and I'm grateful for her detailed, thoughtful feedback that was encouraging and made me feel confident about delivering my story. Working with her was a great experience, and I highly recommend it!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Lucy and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Lucy

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Harri Aston

Harri A.

Experienced, creative and diligent book editor, specialising in memoirs, sport, true crime and heritage.

Liverpool, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Colleen Sell

Colleen S.

Versatile editor & writer with extensive experience in collaborating with authors to craft engaging, impactful, and marketable books.

Eugene, OR, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Maxwell P. Sinsheimer

Maxwell P. S.

Nonfiction lit agent spanning food, science, history, memoir, social issues, and more. Former Oxford UP editor. 3x James Beard Award winner.

Washington D.C., DC, USA

100% reply rate

View profile