Nicky Lovick

Nicky Lovick – Editor

Developmental editor specialising in women's commercial fiction, crime and thrillers. 20 years' experience. Book agent at WGM Atlantic.

Overview

My passion is story – how to help you make your story the very best it can be. I pride myself on a friendly (but always honest!) approach and hope you'll enjoy the editing process. If you're fairly new to writing, I can help you hone your story-telling skills – you'll find yourself a better writer for it. If you're an experienced writer, you'll know the value of another pair of eyes on a manuscript.

So, no matter what stage your manuscript is at, I can help. If you’ve just finished it (well done!), I can take a look to advise you how much more editorial work is required. If you’ve been through a round or two of rewrites, perhaps a developmental edit is needed? I look at plot, structure, characterisation, narrative pace, sense of place, as well as other aspects. What works, what doesn't and – most importantly – how to fix it. A copy-edit will pick up typos, bad grammar and punctuation and iron out inconsistencies. A proofread will give it that final professional polish – whether you’re going to self-publish or submit via the traditional publishing route.

Whether you hope for this to be the first of many novels or the only one you ever intend to write, you want it to be the very best it can be. For your personal satisfaction – and Amazon reviews last a very long time!

Current publishers: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Little, Brown, Atlantic, Bonnier, Duckworth, Welbeck, Palazzo and Profile (amongst many more).

I work with indie authors from all over the UK and around the world, specialising in crime, thrillers and commercial women's fiction. CIEP Advanced Professional.

‘I’m pleased to recommend Nicky L., an ex-colleague and subsequently friend of over fifteen years, whose freelance editorial services I routinely request in my capacity as an in-house acquiring editor. In the time I have known her, Nicky has consistently proved her expertise and sensitivity as an editor and as someone upon whom I know I can rely and in whose ever-capable hands I know I can entrust my authors’ work. From the toughest of jobs to those requiring the lightest of touches, ranging from structural and line-editing to copy-editing to proofreading, Nicky never fails to provide an astute editorial eye for the task in hand, always delivering to the highest standard, often to tight deadlines and limited budgets. I highly recommend Nicky as an editor.’ KB

‘I have used Nicky L.’s editorial services for many years now and could not recommend her more highly. Nicky is everything you might want in an editor – diligent and attentive, with a wonderful eye for detail. She is always sensitive to the needs of writers and works collaboratively to deliver the best possible end result. She has handled some big projects for me over the years and has always delivered an excellent, timely service. Nicky is a great publishing professional and a gifted editor. She’s also a lovely person.’ SOK

Services
Fiction
Dark Romance Legal Thriller Mystery & Crime Psychological Thriller Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • CIEP Advanced Professional

Work experience

Constable & Robinson

Jun, 2010 — Nov, 2013 (over 3 years)
Project-editing 60 titles per year from handover of manuscript to production on a wide range of titles

 Managing of a department which produced 250 titles a year

Headline Publishing Group

Jan, 2006 — Dec, 2009 (almost 4 years)
Structural, line-editing and project-editing titles from handover of manuscript to production on a wide range of authors and titles including Martina Cole, James Patterson, Andrea Levy and Wendy Holden

Transworld

Jan, 2004 — Dec, 2006 (almost 3 years)
Edited a range of fiction and narrative non-fiction titles

 Built and maintained good relationships with authors such as Claudia Carroll, Charlotte Bingham, Patricia Scanlan and Joanne Harris

Self-employed

Feb, 2002 — Present
Fiction developmental editor, specialising in women's fiction, crime and thrillers. I've been working solidly on a freelance basis for twenty years, as well as in-house. I work for top five publishers as well as self-publishing authors.

The Orion Publishing Group

Jan, 2001 — Nov, 2004 (almost 4 years)
Ran list comprising of Harlan Coben, Ian Rankin and Roger Jon Ellory, among others, whilst publishing director was on sabbatical

 Edited commercial fiction

 Read agented and unsolicited submissions

Portfolio

Made with Reedsy
Never (Never, 1)

Hastings, Jessa

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
The Vanishing Tide

Tailor, Hilary

Blood Orange

Tyce, Harriet

The Silent Bride

Boland, Shalini

Copy Editing
The Hike

Holliday, Susi

Thomas & Mercer

Proofreading
The Man in Black: And Other Stories

Griffiths, Elly

Mariner Books

Close

Cole, Martina

Copy Editing

Nicky has 93 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Emile E.

Emile E.

Feb, 2025

Pinned
Nicky's ability to provide the right kind of guidance at the right time, to adapt the tone and complexity of edits and inputs at different phases of a book project, and of an author's journey, are remarkable. Nicky engaged and supported me at key stages across the three year span of getting my d...
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Patricia M.

Patricia M.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
I loved working with Nicky. Her feedback was everything I needed as a new writer. She provided a great developmental edit, summarising exactly where my manuscript was weak and what I needed to do to improve it. It was clear that she cared deeply about my project, and I wouldn’t hesitate to work w...
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Patricia R.

Patricia R.

Oct, 2023

Pinned
Nicky carried out a developmental edit of my manuscript. She made various suggestions that will be very helpful in order to improve the story, the characters and the settings atmosphere. I also appreciated that she pointed out the details/sections of the novel that were particularly good. I find ...
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Emma J.

Emma J.

May, 2025

Nicky was super flexible when I needed to push the date of delivery back. Her notes and assessment were considered and incisive. Extremely supportive and thoughtful. A brilliant champion. I’ve been so pleased and grateful.
Rachael R.

Rachael R.

Apr, 2025

Nicky did a great job with my manuscript, highly recommend her!

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