Kate Norman

Kate Norman – Editor

Commissioning Editor at HarperVoyager & Magpie Books working across sci-fi, fantasy and horror.

Overview

I am an experienced and dedicated editor that has worked on a wide range of genres including horror, science fiction, fantasy, thriller and women's fiction. I am very flexible with excellent knowledge of both the commercial and literary markets.

I love to work with authors on their passion projects and help them carve out or streamline any plot points, character arcs, pacing issues and more, so that they are perfect before submitting to either an agent or a publishing house directly.

Services
Fiction
Fantasy Horror Post-Apocalyptic Romantic Fantasy
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • CIEP Copyediting 1 & 2
  • CIEP Proofreading

Work experience

HarperCollins (HarperVoyager, HarperMagpie)

Apr, 2026 — Present
I acquire, edit and publish fantasy, romantasy, science fiction, and horror novels for a big 5 publisher in the UK. I am up to date with trends and work with authors to storyboard, edit, brainstorm and publish their novels. I have worked on multiple Sunday Times bestsellers such as Amy Coombe, Analeigh Sbrana, Charlotte Buckley and more.

Hodder & Stoughton

Aug, 2023 — Apr, 2026 (over 2 years)
I edit and publish authors including Gemma Amor, Cate Baumer, Catriona McPherson, Patricia Marques, Jennifer Gladwell and Sarah Maine, as well as support other colleagues with edits, including with authors such as Vaseem Khan, Will Dean, Erin Kelly, Alice Slater, Mike Gayle, and Sophie Hannah, amongst many other editorial duties that have given me a deep and insightful knowledge of the commercial fiction market.

Hodder Education

Jul, 2022 — Aug, 2023 (about 1 year)
Copyediting, structural editing, proofreading and project managing educational titles, such as history, Spanish, economics, health and politics textbooks.

Edward Elgar Publishing

Mar, 2021 — Jul, 2022 (over 1 year)
Copyediting, proofreading, structurally editing and project managing academic titles.

Cambridge Copy and Translation

Sep, 2020 — Feb, 2021 (6 months)
Translating creative writing and various theses from Spanish to English and then editing in the English language.

Portfolio

Hell to Pay

Kylie Lee Baker

Harlequin

The new book from Kylie Lee Baker, the critically acclaimed, USA TODAY bestselling, New York Times Top 100, Shirley Jackson Award–winning author of Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng and ... read more
Developmental Editing
The Witch in the Dead of Night

Charlotte Buckley

Magpie Books Publishers Pty, Limited

A decadently dark romantasy in which a hidden witch is unmasked and forced to become a living weapon for a vampiric king and his brooding brother Finn Erramun hides a perilous secret. One of t... read more
Developmental Editing
Japanese Gothic

Kylie Lee Baker

Hodder & Stoughton

2025 Lee can't remember exactly where he hid the body, but he can remember the blood. Hiding out at his father's centuries-old home in Japan, Lee knows something is wrong with him, and he know... read more
Developmental Editing
The Faithful Dark

Cate Baumer

Hodder & Stoughton

READERS LOVE BAUMER'S DARK WORLD . . . 🗡♰ 'Angels, demons, serial killers in a fantasy Vatican, so much beautifully written longing!' 🗡♰ 🗡♰ 'Would recommend for lovers of Ava Reid, Leigh Bardu... read more
Developmental Editing
ITCH!

Gemma Amor

Hodder & Stoughton

*** THE FOLK HORROR NOVEL CRAWLING UNDER YOUR SKIN FOR HALLOWEEN 2025 ***Something moves on the forest floor . . .Josie is at rock bottom. Burned out, heartbroken and recovering from an abusiv... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Bat Eater

Kylie Lee Baker

Hodder & Stoughton

From Sunday Times bestselling author Kylie Lee Baker comes a sharp and propulsive horror thriller, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic and She is a Haunting.'Gory' PAUL TREMBLAY'Bat Eater will ... read more
Developmental Editing

Kate has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Janna G.

Janna G.

Jan, 2026

Pinned
Kate's the best. I more than recommend her as an editor - if your story needs help, I implore you to reach out to her. She is skilled, perceptive and thoughtful at every level of the collaboration. From big-picture structural insights to tiny inconsistencies others would miss, she's on it. Her f...
Read more
Rylan R.

Rylan R.

Apr, 2026

Kate was awesome to work with. As a current editor at a Big 5, she's knowledgeable about the publishing industry and horror genre. Her notes were comprehensive and supportive about structure, character arcs, plot lines, and themes. Her editorial letter energized me to dive into my next draft with...
Read more
JJ L.

JJ L.

Mar, 2026

Fantastic, kind, communicative. Highly recommend!
Adriana A.

Adriana A.

Feb, 2026

Kate has been absolutely incredible to work with. Her expertise brought tremendous value to my manuscript, offering a sharp, thoughtful perspective that elevated the entire project. She approached my work with care and precision, and her feedback was consistently insightful, constructive, and rig...
Read more
Kaila N.

Kaila N.

Oct, 2025

This is my second time hiring Kate and I am always so pleased with her work. She makes herself available for any questions I have and is supportive throughout the entire project. I've learned so much from her already and I continue to implement that into my work going forward. Im grateful to be a...
Read more

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